Modelo Multi-Simbiótico Interoperável para uma Estação de Tratamento de Águas Residuais sustentável e optimizada por IA

This project aims to revolutionize wastewater treatment plants through a transformative approach. Instead of solely focusing on treating wastewater, the SymbIO4WWTP project seeks to usher in a paradigm shift towards CO2 and CH4 neutrality. It envisions WWTPs not only as facilities for wastewater treatment but as entities that actively recover valuable resources inherent in their operational environment. This innovative perspective aims to enhance sustainability, aligning them with circular economy principles and intricate industrial symbiosis models. The key elements of SymbIO4WWTP are: - Industrial Symbiosis Models: Complex industrial symbiosis models form a foundational component of this project. This involves creating interconnected relationships within the WWTP itself (intra-symbiosis) and with external entities (inter-symbiosis). The goal is to establish symbiotic connections that enhance resource usage and minimize waste. See Annex 1 to 3. - Interoperable Concepts from Systems Engineering: Drawing from the theory of Systems Engineering, the project incorporates interoperable concepts to integrate the different industrial symbiosis models. This ensures seamless information model and integration of various components/models within WWTPs, fostering a holistic and synergistic operational environment. See Annex 4. - Artificial Intelligence (AI) Optimization: Leveraging AI, the project seeks to optimize WWTPs intelligently. By employing data-driven advanced algorithms and real-time optimization, the aim is to enhance efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and contribute to overall sustainability. See Annex 4. In summary, the SymbIO4WWTP project is poised to redefine the role of WWTPs. The project aims to create a new sustainable and intelligent wastewater treatment paradigm by embracing resource recovery, circular economy principles, and cutting-edge technologies. The objectives of SymbIO4WWTP are (see Annex 1 to 4): O1) Create multi-symbiotic WWTP models. The objective is to create industrial symbiosis models, using a modular approach, for each system, both for the WWTP internal operation and for the external systems (surrounding environments) that will be considered for the multi-symbiotic exchanges. For that, it will be developed 1) an industrial Energy symbiosis model for Carbon and Methane Neutrality; 2) a water symbiosis model based on treatment output quality, mapping, and exchange material symbiosis potential, including biofertilizer; and 3) sustainable and circular symbiosis models, supporting the multi-symbiotic potential assessment with sustainability metrics and quantify impacts through a cost-benefit analysis for economic viability. O2) Create a new interoperable model for the multi-symbiosis. Industrial symbiosis involves multidimensional mapping of complex flows for each aspect of nature (e.g., energy, water, and material) that are usually interrelated. Therefore, each flow cannot be assessed individually. The systems engineering approach, the systems-of-systems concept, will be explored for interrelational and multidimensional mapping. O3) Online multi-symbiotic WWTP AI optimization Using the multi-symbiotic WWTP models (O1) and the interpretable multi-symbiosis model (O2), the objective is to perform real-time monitoring and optimization of the WWTP by developing an explainability model to identify eco-efficiency degradations and perform an online multi-optimization towards sustainability.