Parameter Estimation in Biokinetic Degradation Models in Wastewater Treatment - A Novel Approach Relevant for Micro-pollutant Removal

In this paper we address a general parameter estimation methodology for an extended biokinetic degradation model [1] for poorly degradable micropollutants. In particular we concentrate on parameter estimation of the micropollutant degradation sub-model by specialised microorganisms. In this case we focus on the case when only substrate degradation data are available and prove the structural identifiability of the model. Further we consider the problem of practical identifiability and propose experimental and related numerical methods for unambiguous parameter estimation based on multiple substrate degradation curves with different initial concentrations. Finally by means of simulated pseudo-experiments we have found convincing indications that the proposed algorithm is stable and yields appropriate parameter estimates even in unfavourable regimes.