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Improvement of Sand Filter and Constructed Wetland Design using an Environmental Decision Support System
Author(s) -
Turon Clàudia,
Comas Joaquim,
Torrens Antonina,
Molle Pascal,
Poch Manel
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq2007.0417
Subject(s) - decision support system , computer science , expert system , heuristic , information system , data mining , engineering , artificial intelligence , electrical engineering
With the aim of improving effluent quality of waste stabilization ponds, different designs of vertical flow constructed wetlands and intermittent sand filters were tested on an experimental full‐scale plant within the framework of a European project. The information extracted from this study was completed and updated with heuristic and bibliographic knowledge. The data and knowledge acquired were difficult to integrate into mathematical models because they involve qualitative information and expert reasoning. Therefore, it was decided to develop an environmental decision support system (EDSS‐Filter‐Design) as a tool to integrate mathematical models and knowledge‐based techniques. This paper describes the development of this support tool, emphasizing the collection of data and knowledge and representation of this information by means of mathematical equations and a rule‐based system. The developed support tool provides the main design characteristics of filters: (i) required surface, (ii) media type, and (iii) media depth. These design recommendations are based on wastewater characteristics, applied load, and required treatment level data provided by the user. The results of the EDSS‐Filter‐Design provide appropriate and useful information and guidelines on how to design filters, according to the expert criteria. The encapsulation of the information into a decision support system reduces the design period and provides a feasible, reasoned, and positively evaluated proposal.