BioWin Help, Tutorials and

Examples
Contents
Help, Tutorials and Examples 3
Help and Manual ........................................................................................................... 3
Welcome to the Online Help System for BioWin ............................................. 3
Using The BioWin Help System ....................................................................... 3
Context Sensitive Help in BioWin .................................................................... 8
About the Manual ............................................................................................. 9
How To Print The Manual .............................................................................. 10
BioWin Tutorials .......................................................................................................... 11
Learning Objectives ....................................................................................... 11
TUTORIAL 1 - BioWin Familiarization ........................................................... 11
TUTORIAL 2A - Building a Configuration ...................................................... 19
TUTORIAL 2B - A Nutrient Removal Refresher ............................................ 28
TUTORIAL 3 - Nitrification Dynamics and Setting up Charts ........................ 31
TUTORIAL 4 – Secondary Clarifier Simulation .............................................. 37
TUTORIAL 5 - Aeration System Simulation ................................................... 41
TUTORIAL 6 – Setting Up an SBR System ................................................... 44
BioWin Examples ........................................................................................................ 53
Pre-Configured File Cabinet .......................................................................... 53

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Help and Manual

Welcome to the Online Help System for BioWin
BioWin comes equipped with full featured, context-sensitive on-line help. The help features
an expanding/collapsing table of contents, a full multi-level keyword index, and a full text
search. The on-line help is built from the manual, so users will have a number of options
available to them when it comes to accessing information.
The help format used in BioWin is known as HTML help. This format commonly is used in
Microsoft Office applications, and will be familiar to most users. This format delivers the
help system via a two-paned web browser interface that displays the help system topic
structure in the left pane and the selected topic in the right pane. In this way, users can see
where they are in the overall topic structure as they browse through the help system. For
more information on this style of help, please see the section entitled Using the BioWin
Help System.

Using The BioWin Help System

BioWin’s help system may be accessed with one of two methods:
• The main simulator window menu command Help|Contents and index;
• Clicking the Help Contents and Index button ( ) on the main toolbar of the main
simulator window.
When the help system is opened, you will see a two-paned window with the right pane
showing the contents of the currently selected topic (or a default start topic if one is not
selected) and the left pane showing the Contents, Index, Search, or Favorites tab,
depending on which tab was active when the help system was last exited. Note that the
relative size of the panes can be changed by dragging the pane dividing bar. The two-
paned window is shown below.

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The BioWin Help two-paned window

The buttons at the top of the two-paned window have the following functions:

Button Function
Hide / Show Used to toggle the left pane between
hidden and visible states.
Locate Clicking this button will display the contents
tab in the left pane and highlight the topic
that you currently are viewing. This button
is useful for locating related topics when
using the Index or Search tab.
Back Moves one topic back in your browse
history. Takes you to the last topic that
you viewed.
Forward Moves one topic forward in your browse
history. Takes you to the previous topic
you viewed.
Print A dialog box opens that allows you to
choose whether you want the current topic

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or the current topic and all its sub-topics to

be printed.
Options Sets display options for your help system –
it is recommended that these options be left
set to their defaults.

Help Contents Tab

One advantage of the BioWin help is that when the Contents tab is selected, it is possible
to view topics and the help system outline structure simultaneously, as shown in the picture
below.

The Help Contents Tab

You can expand and collapse levels of the help system outline by clicking on the book
icons or titles of the levels. If there is text associated with a level, it will be displayed in the
right pane. When you locate the topic you wish to view, click on it and the topic contents will
be displayed in the right pane.

Help Search Tab

When the Search tab is selected, it is possible to view your search results and topics
simultaneously, as shown in the picture below.

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The Help Search tab

To use the search utility, type in the keyword(s) or phrase that you are searching for, and
click the List Topics button. This will display the list of topics containing the keyword(s) or
phrase that you searched for. To view a topic, you can either double-click on the topic title,
or click topic title and then click the Display button, and the topic contents with your search
term(s) highlighted will be displayed in the right pane.

Help Favorites Tab

Another feature of the BioWin help is the Favorites tab, shown below.

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The Help Favorites tab

Once you have found a topic using the Contents or Search tabs, you can add it to a list of
favorites so that you can easily access it repeatedly. To do this,
1. Locate the topic that you want to add using the Contents or Search tab.
2. Click the Favorites tab.
3. The topic you currently are viewing will be displayed in the right pane, and at the
bottom of the left pane the topic title will be displayed in the Current topic box.
4. To add the current topic to your list of favorites, click the Add button.
5. The topic will be added to the Topics list in the left pane.
6. To view other topics in the Topics list, double-click the topic, or click the topic then
click the Display button.
7. To remove a topic from the list, click the topic title and then click the Remove button.

Popups and Jumps

In BioWin’s help topics, you may encounter text that is blue and underlined. This means
that the text represents a popup or hyperlink jump. If the text represents a popup, then
clicking on the text will open a small “popup” window. Popups usually are used for
definitions, small pictures, etc. When you are done viewing the contents of the popup,

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simply position your mouse cursor outside of the popup window and click once, or press
any key on your keyboard to close it.
If the text represents a hyperlink jump, clicking on that text will send you to another location
in the help file – usually a topic that contains material relevant to the text that denoted the
jump. Note that when you do this, the help engine tracks your position in the help system
outline if you have the Contents tab selected so you know your location in the help system
hierarchy. To return to the topic that you jumped from, click the Back button.

Context Sensitive Help in BioWin

Context sensitive help is an advance in help; it is a system that makes it easier for users to
find help immediately on topics that are relevant to the operations they are performing in
BioWin.
When context sensitive help is called, the help system is opened with a topic that is related
to the dialog box or menu command that you want help on. From this topic it is easy to
navigate to other related topics.
There are a number of ways that the utility of context sensitive help may be employed:

Context Sensitive Help on a Dialog Box

To get context sensitive help on a dialog box, press the F1 key on your keyboard. Certain
dialog boxes have red text at the bottom to remind you of this functionality. It also is
possible to click on this text to invoke the help – the mouse cursor will display a question
mark when you fly over this text, as shown below:

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Dialog box with clickable context sensitivity reminder (notice the mouse cursor)

Context Sensitive Help on a Window Menu Command

To get context sensitive help on a window menu command, hold your mouse cursor over
that command so that it is highlighted in blue as shown below and press the F1 key on your
keyboard.

A highlighted menu command

About the Manual

This manual is available to you in both printed and online format. The content of both
formats is identical – the choice is offered merely for your convenience. For information on
printing the manual, please see How To Print the Manual. For information about the online
help system, please see Welcome to the Online Help System for BioWin.

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Layout
Material in this manual divide into several parts:
• Chapter 1 : Welcome To BioWin
• Chapter 2 : Help, Tutorials and Examples
• Chapter 3 : General Operation
• Chapter 4 : Building Configurations
• Chapter 5 : Running Simulations
• Chapter 6 : Data Output
• Chapter 7 : Model Reference
• Chapter 8 : Power in BioWin
• Chapter 9 : Operating Costs in BioWin

Typefaces and conventions used in this manual

The following typefaces and conventions will be used throughout this manual when
describing various procedures and techniques in BioWin:

Typeface Refers To
Example Text Italic text refers to chapter
titles.
Example Text Bold text in Arial font is used
when describing objects and
controls in dialog boxes, as
well as the dialog box names.
When you see text in this
typeface used in the
description of a dialog, that
text will be on the dialog box.

How To Print The Manual

The BioWin manual is shipped in the form of one complete Adobe PDF. The content of this
document is identical to BioWin's online help – the help was built using the manual
document as its source

Note: you also may print out individual topics from within the online help system). If you
wish, you may install this document to your computer and print it out as you desire.
However, if you wish to save disk space, you may choose to leave it on the CD, where it is
located within the MANUAL directory.

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BioWin Tutorials
Learning Objectives
This set of tutorials and case studies is designed as a training exercise in the application of
BioWin. The primary objective is to provide "how to…" training on using the BioWin
software itself. The case studies are not intended as a course in wastewater treatment
process engineering. Nevertheless, several of the case studies focus on process
applications and identify interesting design and operating issues.
Start off with Tutorial #1. This explains the basic concepts for applying BioWin and provides
an overview of features. You will be viewing a previously created file from the installation
Data directory (a standard path would be similar to: C:\Program Files\EnviroSim\BioWin
x.x\Data where x.x is the version number). The remaining tutorials all involve setting up
new systems. Each tutorial is broken up into a number of subsections.
The tutorial examples ask you to save files with the name format My Tutorial XX in the
Tutorials subdirectory of the Data directory. Completed tutorial configurations are also
stored in that directory for reference as Tutorial XX.

Suggestion: Keep this Help file open and follow each tutorial step-by-step, switching back
and forth to BioWin. Alternatively, print a copy of the Tutorials (for printing instructions see
How to Print the Manual.)

TUTORIAL 1 - BioWin Familiarization

This familiarization tutorial demonstrates a number of the features in BioWin. Aspects
covered in this tutorial include the basic BioWin interface, loading a BioWin configuration
file, specifying data for configuration elements, and running steady state and dynamic
simulations.

The interface and loading a file

Start BioWin and view the main simulator window. All simulation tasks are executed from
here. The interface consists of menus, toolbars, the drawing board, summary panes and a
status bar. For a detailed description, view the Main Simulator Window section of the
“General Operation” chapter. In this tutorial you will only get a brief overview.
1. From the File menu, click on Open and load the An Example.bwc configuration file
from the DATA directory. The screen view will be similar to that shown below.

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The example configuration

2. Move the cursor over the toolbar. A fly-by hint appears when you pause over a
button.
3. A status bar at the bottom of the window displays various pieces of information.

4. Move the arrow cursor across the drawing board. The cursor changes to a hand ( )
as you cross over elements on the drawing board. When you pause over an
element, information on that element appears in the two panes below the drawing
board – physical data in the left pane and performance data in the right pane. This
function allows you to get a summary overview of system information.
5. Move the cursor over an element and click the right mouse button. A local menu
appears. [Don’t select any options yet!]. This will allow you to access various options
for that element (see below).

Hint: As a general rule when using BioWin, clicking the right mouse button often helps!

Physical and operational data

1. Move the cursor over the Aerobic element (a completely mixed aerated bioreactor)
and double click – or click the right mouse button on the element and select the
Properties command. A tabbed editing dialog box opens (see below). These tabs
contain all the physical and operational data for the element. View the information on
the Dimensions and Operation tabs. [Do not change any information yet. We will
accept the sizing of this aerated zone with DO controlled at a setpoint of 2 mg/L].

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The Bioreactor Dimensions tab

The Bioreactor Operation tab

2. Now try double-clicking on other elements and view the details for this configuration.
3. Click on an element and keep the left mouse button depressed. You can drag and
drop the element in a new position and re-arrange the configuration to your liking.

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Hint: Try right-clicking on the arrowhead of a pipe, and view the Properties. There are a
number of options for re-arranging the pipe layout.

Checking influent data

1. Double click on the different Influent elements and click on the Edit data button. At
this stage we won’t change any data.

Hint: When viewing influent data, point the cursor at a column heading and click the right
mouse button. There are many options for entering and manipulating data.

2. Close the dialog.

Hint: The pane at the lower right displays the flow-weighted average influent
concentrations.

Viewing information and simulation results

The panes below the drawing board provide a limited overview of system information.
Comprehensive information can be viewed in two ways – via the Explorer or in the Album.
1. Select Explorer from the View menu – or click on the Explorer toolbar button ( )–
or press Ctrl + E. This opens the Explorer - a tree-like view of system information.
2. Experiment with expanding different levels. Hint: Try double clicking on an element
name or the parameters item in the right panel.
3. Select Album ( ) from the View menu – or click on the Album toolbar button – or
press Ctrl + A. This opens the Album, which contains user-customized information in
the form of custom tables, pre-formatted element information, and charts. The Album
can contain many individual pages of information.
4. Click on the page name tabs along the bottom and view the different examples.
Hint: Try clicking the right mouse button on different parts of the Album pages
(including the name tabs at the bottom).
5. Select Add page from the Album menu (or click the Add page button on the toolbar
at the bottom of the Album – point to the buttons to get fly-by hints on what each
does), and choose one of the layout options. After adding a page, click the right
mouse button on a blank panel and experiment! Expect to encounter difficulties at
this stage – subsequent tutorials will provide detailed instructions.

Running a steady state simulation

Steady state simulations provide a solution for the system based on the flow-weighted
average influent loading to the system (and the time-weighted average for any timed
operational changes such as a schedule of DO setpoints in an aerated reactor).
1. Select the Steady state command in the Simulate menu – or click on the Steady
State button on the toolbar. This opens the simulator player dialog. Hint: If you re-
position the simulator player dialog at a convenient spot on the screen that’s where it
will appear next time.

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2. Click on the play button. A dialog box appears when BioWin has found the solution.

The steady state solver dialog box

Note: Most steady state solutions are found in ten or so iterations. In unusual
circumstances the solver may “stick” – that is, the error value does not change from
iteration to iteration. In this situation click on the stop button. Often this indicates a difficulty
with the influent data such as a nutrient deficiency (or an Alkalinity deficiency in an aerobic
digester, perhaps). Alternatively, you may have a “difficult-to-solve” system. One trick is to
try conservative solver settings. To do this, select the menu command Project|Current
Project Options…, click the Numerical parameters tab, and click the Options… button in
the Steady State Solver group. At the bottom of the resulting dialog box there is a large
button that you can click to set conservative solver parameters (see Steady State Solver
Options in the “General Operation” chapter).

Running a dynamic simulation

Dynamic simulations show the time-varying system response based on the time-varying
influent loading to the system (and subject to any time-varying operational changes such as
a schedule of DO setpoints in an aerated reactor).
1. Select the Dynamic simulation command in the Simulate menu – or click on the
Dynamic Simulation button ( ) on the toolbar. This opens the simulator player
dialog.
2. Click on the play button. This brings up a dialog box where you can set various
options such as the duration of the simulation. Clicking on the Start button starts the
dynamic simulation.

The dynamic simulator control dialog box

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The dynamic simulation options dialog box

Note: Even if you are only interested in dynamic system response, it is useful to first
calculate the steady state solution, and then start the dynamic simulation from these
“Current values” or the “Last steady state”.

Note: In the Album a time-series chart set up for 24 hours may appear blank or may not
reflect a change you expected to see. Perhaps you need to change the scale on the bottom
axis depending on what you specified as the starting date for the simulation.

Keeping track of things and generating reports

The project note editor, shown in the picture below, is a tool that may be used to record
information relevant to the current project. You can access the editor via the menu
command Project|Notes or by clicking on the Notes button ( ) on the Main toolbar. The
notes that you make can have formatting applied to them according to the Rich Text
Format (*.RTF). These notes are saved internally with the BioWin file, so they go wherever
the BioWin file goes. [In pre-BioWin 4.1 versions, the notes are saved in a separate “*.nts”
file.] This feature is very useful for capturing information about the simulation, and since it is
saved internally in the BioWin “bwc” file, any BioWin user who accesses the BioWin file will
be able to see them. Another enhancement (BioWin 4.1.1 and later) is that the notes can
contain pictures in the form of image files (e.g. PNG, JPEG, EMF). You can right-click on
charts and tables in the BioWin album, copy them to the clipboard, and then paste them to
the new enriched notes editor to discuss them. When another BioWin user opens your
BioWin file containing the notes, the notes editor automatically opens so that they are sure
to see the discussion.

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The project notes editor

It also is very easy to get results from BioWin into your word processor, spreadsheet or
other applications. Charts, tables, the drawing board view of the system layout, etc. can be
copied from BioWin and pasted to your report. Tables can be exported as tabbed text and
then quickly converted to tables. The File|Report to Excel™ command generates an Excel
spreadsheet containing data, tables and charts from your BioWin simulation customized
using preconfigured Excel templates. The File|Report to Word™ command generates a
customizable Word document that contains a screenshot of the BioWin flowsheet, tables
summarizing all model element dimensions and operating parameters, and the content of
the Album (charts are pasted in as enhanced metafiles for easy transfer between Office
applications; tables are pasted as Word tables).

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How to Customize BioWin

There are a number of parts and features of BioWin that can be customized to look how
you want. When you customize BioWin, you essentially are changing the default settings of
the BioWin work environment and all new projects that are created therein. This
functionality is accessed via the Project|New Project Options… or the
Tools|Customize… menu commands. A detailed description of the features is provided in
the Customizing BioWin section of the “General Operation” chapter.

Many facets of BioWin may be customized to suit your needs

The Tools|Customize… command defines your “default” setup for when you start a new
project; for example, you may always want to start with US units. You can override these
preferences for the current project through the Project|Current Project Options…
command.
Since project options are file specific, they “travel” with that file. For example, if you define a
set of project options for “Project A” on your copy of BioWin and then open the “Project A”
file in someone else’s copy of BioWin, you still will see your defined project options. As
before, these project options will override any similar settings that the owner of the other
copy of BioWin has set as defaults using the Tools|Customize… command. For more
information on the various project options that may be set, please see the Managing
BioWin Projects section of the “General Operation” chapter.

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TUTORIAL 2A - Building a Configuration

This tutorial demonstrates how to build a new configuration and add tables to the Album.
Aspects covered in this tutorial include building a BioWin configuration, moving and
connecting elements on the drawing board, specifying data for elements, changing model
parameter values, and setting up tables to record your simulation data.

The tutorial 2A system

A city in the U.S.A. has a nitrification/denitrification system – a Modified Ludzack Ettinger
configuration. Phosphorus removal is achieved in a tertiary chemical precipitation system.
The client experiences problems in the tertiary system. You want to investigate achieving P
removal biologically in the existing tankage. The system has the following characteristics:

Unaerated Four (each 1 MG) Depth = 12 ft

reactors:
Aerated Two (each 7.5 MG) Depth = 12 ft DO = 2 mg/L
reactors:
Clarifier (Ideal): Area = 123,000 ft2 Depth = 14 ft
Influent: Average Flow = 88 MGD
COD = 246 mg/L TKN = 24 mgN/L
TP = 5.4 mgP/L ISS = 15 mg/L
Alkalinity = 6 mmol/L
Wastewater fBS = 0.12 fUP = 0.10
fractions:
fUS = 0.07 fNA = 0.75
RAS recycle: 44 MGD (50%)
NML recycle: 264 MGD (300%)
Wastage rate: 1 MGD (constant rate)
Temperature: 18°C
Nitrification rate: 0.8 /d

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The Tutorial 2A system configuration

Adding elements to the drawing board

Note: When building the configuration, do not interchange mixers with splitters or influents
with effluents.

Note: In this tutorial we are using an ideal secondary settler. Tutorial 1 used a model
settler.

1. Run BioWin and change to US units via the Project|Current Project Options…
command.
2. Add each of the units shown in the screen view above. [We will connect units with
pipes later]. Repeat the following three steps as you build the system in the drawing
board:·
• Click the button corresponding to the element you want on the configuration
toolbar.

• Move the cursor ( ) onto the drawing board. When you do this, the cursor will
change to the element placement cursor. Click on the drawing board where you
want the element to be placed.

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3. Change the names of the elements from the defaults to those shown in the screen
view above (i.e. Influent, Zone #1, Zone #2, Zone #3, Zone #4, Aerobic #1, Aerobic
#2, Settler, Effluent, Wastage). Right-click on each element and select the Name…
command from the popup menu.

Note: No names appear for the mixers, splitters and the settler in the screen view above.
This is one of the customizable features of BioWin. You can make your own selection from
the General tab via the Tools|Customize command.

Note: Your configuration may extend beyond the visible drawing board view. You may wish
to change the drawing board scale from the drop-down list on the Main toolbar.

Note: This configuration includes mixers for the RAS stream and mixed liquor recycle in
front of the first bioreactor. It is not necessary to include these mixers – the streams could
be connected directly to the front of the bioreactor. However, it provides you with a means
to look at the combined influent to the first reactor.

Selecting Multiple Elements on the Drawing Board

To select multiple elements by dragging with the mouse:
1. Click on the element selection tool ( ) from the Configure toolbar.
2. Position the cursor above and to the left of the group of elements on the drawing
board you wish to select.
3. Hold the mouse button and drag the cursor to a position below and to the right of the
group of elements you wish to select. A box will appear around the selected
elements.
4. Release the mouse button.
5. Note: the selection box can also be initiated from the top-right, bottom-left or bottom-
right corners around the group of elements to be selected on the drawing board.
To select multiple elements by clicking with the mouse, hold either the Shift or Ctrl key and
click on each element of the group you wish to select.

Rearranging and moving elements on the drawing board

If you want to change an element's position:
1. Click on the element selection tool ( ) from the Configure toolbar (or simply press
the ESC button).
2. Move the cursor over the element on the drawing board you wish to move.
3. Click on the element and while holding down the mouse button, drag the element to
the desired new location.

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4. Alternatively, for a more precise placement, click on the element to select it, then
press the up/down/left/right arrow buttons to move it a very small distance with each
press of the arrow button.
5. Alternatively, to move the element a set distance, click on the element to select it,
then while holding the fn button, press the up/down/left/right arrow button.
6. To align the edges of selected elements, first select the “pivot” element to which the
other elements will be aligned. Then, holding the Ctrl key, select the other elements

to be aligned to the “pivot” element. On the Flowsheet tools toolbar, click the

button to align left edges of selected units or the button to align top edges of
selected units.
7. To space units equally between leftmost and rightmost units or topmost and
bottommost units, select the group of elements to be moved and then, on the
Flowsheet tools toolbar, click the button to space units equally between the

leftmost and rightmost units or the button to space units equally between the
topmost and bottommost units.

Note: You also can move multiple elements simultaneously. Select the group of elements
you wish to move, and then follow step 3, 4 or 5.

If you want to change the vertical or horizontal orientation of one or multiple

elements:
1. Click on the element selection tool ( ) from the Configure toolbar.
2. Select the element(s) to be reoriented and then, on the Flowsheet tools toolbar,

click the button to visually switch the horizontal direction of flow for the

selected elements or the button to visually switch the vertical direction of flow
for the selected elements.
3. It is also possible to reorient a single element. Right-click the element, and from the
resulting popup menu, choose Flip horizontal or Flip vertical (the latter option only
is available for elements such as splitters and mixers).

Connecting elements with pipes

1. Click the ( ) on the Configure toolbar.
2. When you move the cursor onto the drawing board, the cursor will change to the
"start" cursor ( ).

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3. Place the cursor over the element area where you wish the pipe to start from.
4. If the location is appropriate, a set of crosshairs will appear on the "pipe start" cursor

( ).
5. If the location is inappropriate, the cursor will change to a circle with a slash through
it ( ) to indicate that a pipe may not begin at that location.
6. Click the left mouse button once and move the cursor to the desired location of the
element where you wish the pipe to end and click the left mouse button again.
7. As you move the pipe towards the element where you wish it to end, the cursor will
change to the "pipe end" cursor ( ).
8. If the location of the pipe terminus is appropriate, this cursor will remain.
9. If the location is inappropriate, the cursor will change to a circle with a slash through
it ( ) to indicate that a pipe may not end at that location.
Repeat steps 3-9 until you have connected all your elements with pipes.

Note: To re-arrange a pipe’s position, click once on the arrow head of that pipe. A series of
circles appear at points along the pipe. Try dragging-and-dropping. This is important for
arranging the configuration layout.

Note: Try right clicking on the arrow head of a pipe, and view the Properties. There are a
number of options for re-arranging the pipe layout and selecting pipe style.

Note: To copy a pipe’s attributes (style, line and color) to other pipe(s), select the reference
pipe with the attributes you wish to copy. Then on the Flowsheet tools toolbar, click the

button to copy the only the pipe line and color attributes or the button to copy
the pipe style, line and color attributes. The image of the selected button now appears
beside the cursor arrow. Click on the pipe(s) that you wish to have the same attributes as
the reference pipe.

Specifying physical and operational data

We now wish to enter all of the physical and operational data for this system specified
earlier. Each element (except influents and effluents) requires physical data, and this is
specified in terms of either Volume/Depth or Area/Depth. Operational data depends on
the type of element. For example, units such as bioreactors require information on aeration
and DO levels. Units such as splitters and settlers also require information on the flow split
in the side stream or underflow.

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Note: There are many options for specifying operational data for the units in BioWin. We
only touch on a few options in this tutorial. More complete information on the different
options for each unit type is provided in the Element Descriptions section of the “Building
Configurations” chapter.

To specify data for each element (leave the influent for now):
1. Double click on the element – or click the right mouse button and select the
Properties command. Specify data from the information listed earlier.
2. For the influent element specify the type as Constant. In this tutorial we only
consider steady state performance.
3. When you are finished use the File|Save As… command – or click on the Save
button ( ) on the toolbar - to save the configuration as My Tutorial 2.bwc in
BioWin’s Data/Tutorials directory (a standard path would be:
C:\Program Files\EnviroSim\BioWin x.x\Data\Tutorial where x.x is the version
number).

Note: Mixers and splitters are "dimensionless"; that is, nodes without volume.

Specifying process temperature(s)

Specify the global temperature for the system (18°C) via the Project|Plant|Liquid
temperature… menu.

Note: You can specify a local temperature for many of the units. For example, view the
Operation tab in the bioreactor dialog. This is not necessary in this example, but can be
useful for special situations, e.g. simulating treatment of a high-temperature sidestream.

Changing model parameters

In this example we must specify a maximum Ammonia Oxidizing Biomass (AOB) growth
rate (referenced to 20°C) of 0.80 /day. All model parameters for the project are
viewed/changed via the Project|Parameters… command. In this case we want to go to the
Kinetic… menu and change the “Max. spec. growth rate” on the AOB tab from the default
of 0.90 to 0.80 /day.

Note: Although not necessary in this example, you can specify local model parameters for
many of the units. For example, view the Model tab in the bioreactor dialog and note the
check box labeled Local kinetic parameters.

Checking that all data have been specified

Before running a simulation BioWin must check to see that data have been specified for
each of the elements.
Select the Check simulate data command from the Simulate menu – or click on the
Check data button on the toolbar. A dialog box appears with a list of elements for which
data have not been specified and/or elements without pipe connections.

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Note: Do not worry if you forget the check. BioWin will remind you about missing data. It
may seem unnecessary to check data for elements (such as mixers) where you generally
will accept the default values. However, this makes sure all input data is checked and only
is required once.

Adding tables to the Album

You have now completed setting up the configuration. [Remember: You have yet to run a
simulation so data values will be nonsensical]. We now want to add data tables to the
Album. Let us set up a table similar to that shown below on Page 1 of the Album. This table
has rows for influent, all bioreactors, effluent and wastage, and columns for concentrations
and mass rates for NH3-N, NO3-N, PO4-P, ISS, flow, VSS, and TSS.

Table from the tutorial configuration

1. Select Album from the View menu – or click on the Album toolbar button ( ) – or
press Ctrl + A. This opens the Album – it’s blank for now.
2. Select Add Page from the Album menu and click OK.
3. Right-click on the album page.
4. Select Table from the popup menu.

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Dialog box used for choosing elements to include in your table

5. The Table editor dialog will open.

6. From the Elements tree view, select the element(s) that you wish to include in the
table.
• You can expand individual element groups, select specific elements, click on
them and push the right-pointing arrow to move them to the Selected elements
list; or move entire element groups over at once by clicking on the element group
(e.g. Bioreactor) and clicking the right-pointing arrow.
• Note that if the element you have selected has multiple outputs (e.g. a secondary
clarifier), all outputs are added to the Selected elements list by default. If you do
not want one of the outputs (e.g. the underflow of a secondary clarifier), simply
click on the entry in the Selected elements list and press the Delete key on your
keyboard.
• If you want to change the order in which the Selected elements will appear in
the plot, move the elements around by clicking on them and clicking the up/down
arrows. You can change the order of a group of elements, by using the Ctrl or
Shift key to select the group and then clicking the up or down arrow. Finally, you

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can move a selection directly to the top or bottom of the list by holding the Ctrl
key while you click the up or down arrow.
7. Choose a variable to plot from the Element specific, Water Chemistry, State
variables, or Combined lists. If you want to add more than one variable from a
given group, you may do so: To select a contiguous group, click the first variable of
the group, and while holding the Shift key, click the last variable of the group. To
select non-contiguous variables, hold the Ctrl key and click the desired variables in
succession. You may also simultaneously select variables from multiple lists.
8. Once you have selected the parameters you want to plot, move them to the
Selected variables list by clicking the right-pointing arrow.
• If you want to change the order in which the Selected variables will appear in
the table, move the variables up or down around by clicking on them and clicking
the up/down arrows. You can change the order of a group of variables, by using
the Ctrl or Shift key to select the group and then clicking the up or down arrow.
Finally, you can move a selection directly to the top or bottom of the list by
holding the Ctrl key while you click the up or down arrow.
9. If you wish to re-add certain variables, place a check in the box labeled Duplicates,
and re-add the compounds.
10. Select whether you want to display Concentrations, Mass rates, or Both in your
table.
11. If you want to add a blank line between table entries, click the Add blank line
button. The blank line will show as a short dashed line in the Selected elements list.
The blank line can be moved up or down in the list just like other elements. Multiple
lines may be added to the list.
12. If you want BioWin to display the total of a table’s columns, click the Add total so
far button. The word “Total” will be added to the Selected elements list. The Total
can be moved up or down in the list just like other elements. Multiple totals may be
added to the list; if a total will always totalize the rows preceding it.
13. Click OK to finish.

Note: You can change the order of rows and columns in the table very easily. Right-click
on the table, select the Edit table command, and use the Up/Down arrows.

Note: Try clicking the right mouse button on different parts of the Album pages (including
the name tabs at the bottom – you can change the name of your tab to “Table” from “Page
1” if you wish).

Note: Moving the cursor over elements on the drawing board gives you a sneak preview of
data in the panes below the drawing board.

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Adding element information to the Album

The previous section showed how to set up a table in the Album. You can also add pre-
formatted element-specific information to the Album. Let us add information on the last
aerated bioreactor (Aerobic #2) to Page 2 and for the settler to a new page of the Album.
We will do this by two different methods.
1. Select Album from the View menu – or click on the Album toolbar button ( ) – or
press Ctrl + A.
2. Select Add Page from the Album menu and click OK.
3. Right-click on the album page.
4. Select Element info from the popup menu.
5. Select Aerobic #2 from the drop-down element list, and click on the Summary view
radio button.
We will add a similar table to the Album for the settler, but using a different method.
6. Close the Album, and move the cursor over the settler in the drawing board.
7. Right-click and select the Add to album|Element info (Summary) command.
8. Select Album from the View menu – or click on the Album toolbar button ( ) – or
press Ctrl + A. The new table should appear on a new Album page.

Note: Summary tables differ depending on the type of element. For example, we see an
overflow rate for the settler summary and an OUR for a bioreactor. For more detailed
instructions review the section on Album Element Information Displays in the "Data Output"
chapter.

TUTORIAL 2B - A Nutrient Removal Refresher

This tutorial demonstrates application of BioWin to the system set up in Tutorial 2A.
Aspects covered in this tutorial include phosphorus removal in an anaerobic selector, high-
rate P removal systems, and high nitrification rate/high temperature conditions.

Anaerobic selector modification (including P removal)

1. If you have restarted BioWin open the file Tutorial 2 using the File|Open command
– or click on the Open button ( ) on the toolbar.
2. We will record results in the table below:

Temp Nit. NML SRT Effluent Effluent Effluent

Rate Recycle Ammonia Nitrate PO4-P

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3. Run the steady state simulation. Tabulate the results, and note the nitrification,
denitrification and P removal performance.
4. You also need to record the SRT. Click on the Project|Plant|Active SRT command
– or click on the Active SRT button on the toolbar. You can give this SRT a name if
you like (to distinguish it in case you want to look at other SRT “scenarios”, e.g. a
case where the sludge mass in the settler is included in the SRT calculation). From
the Select elements for total mass button, add all of the bioreactors. Click the
Select wastage elements button, expand the Sludge tree, and select the Wastage
element. If you were successful in finding a steady state solution in the previous
steps, the SRT will now appear on the status bar at the bottom of the screen.
5. Discuss possible retrofit options to achieve biological P removal in the existing
tankage.
6. Try incrementally reducing the nitrified mixed liquor recycle rate (continue until this
flow has been reduced to zero).

Note: In specifying the wastage element(s) for the SRT calculation we selected the
Wastage sludge output element. We could also have selected the side stream (S) of the
splitter where the waste stream is withdrawn. However, do not select both elements as this
would count the wastage twice!

Note: We are calculating SRT only based on the mass of sludge in the bioreactors. We
could include the sludge in the clarifier.

Note: If we include the secondary effluent in the SRT calculation we would be accounting
for solids lost via that stream.

High Rate P Removal System

1. Now we wish to modify the system to attain P removal without nitrification (with the
mixed liquor recycle set to zero). To do this we increase the wastage rate to reduce
SRT and wash out of the nitrifiers. BioWin provides a convenient way to set the SRT
to a specific value, and calculate the required wastage rate.
2. Click on the Project|Plant|Active SRT command – or click on the SRT button ( )
on the toolbar. Place a check in the Control SRT box – new options appear in the
lower part of the dialog.

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3. Select WAS splitter from the pull-down list, and specify the last SRT from your
table. Re-run the steady state simulation, and check that the wastage rate is 1 MGD.
4. Re-run for an SRT of 5 days, and tabulate the results. Reduce the SRT further to 4
days. Have we washed out the nitrifiers?

High Nitrification Rate / High Temperature Conditions

Now we encounter an unusually high temperature summer. What if the nitrification rate is
high?
1. Change the maximum AOB growth rate from the value of 0.8 to 1.0/d (Max. spec.
growth rate on the AOB tab).
2. Change the temperature to 24°C.
3. Repeat the simulation for an SRT of 4 days and see if the nitrifiers still wash out.
4. Decrease the SRT further to 3 days, and repeat. Is the P removal performance
good?

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TUTORIAL 3 - Nitrification Dynamics and Setting up Charts

This tutorial demonstrates dynamic simulations and a comparison of nitrification
performance in a plug flow versus a completely mixed reactor configuration. We will learn
how to set up charts in the Album.

The tutorial 3 system and the influent data

For this demonstration we will split the influent flow (actual field data) equally between two
parallel trains as shown in the BioWin screen view below. The system has the following
characteristics:

PFR reactors: Four (each 1.2 Depth = 4.5 m DO = 2 mg/L

ML)
CSTR reactor: One (4.8 ML) Depth = 4.5 m DO = 2 mg/L
Clarifier (Ideal): Each Area = 1,000 m2 Depth = 4.8 m
Influent: Accept default wastewater characteristics
RAS recycle: Each 7.5 ML/d (50%)
Wastage rate: Each 0.2 ML/d (constant
rate)
Temperature: 20°C
Nitrification 0.9 /d
rate:

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The Tutorial 3 system configuration layout

The following diurnal influent loading pattern for flow, COD, TKN, TP and ISS has been
established. The BioWin default values should be used for the remaining input variables.

Time Flow COD TKN TP ISS

(ML/d) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L)
0 29.8 437 28.7 5.0 17
2 20.4 401 29.2 5.3 12
4 14.4 333 29.7 5.1 13
6 14.3 341 29.8 4.8 8
8 23.9 260 24.1 3.7 9
10 37.6 279 33.5 4.7 16
12 41.9 402 42.9 7.0 25
14 40.5 383 40.5 6.9 27
16 35.0 419 36.2 6.5 25
18 32.6 411 31.8 5.9 18
20 32.7 364 27.8 4.8 22
22 34.0 406 26.2 4.4 21

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Set up the configuration and influent data

1. Select a unit basis of ML and ML/d.
2. Create the configuration shown above and set up all of the physical and operational
data.
3. Double click on the influent element, click on the Edit data button, and enter the
time-varying influent data recorded in the table above.

Hint: To save on typing all those numbers, load the influent file “Dynamic Influent.ifd”
from the Data|Tutorials directory containing the table above.

4. Save the file as My Tutorial 3.bwc in the Data/Tutorials directory.

5. Note the AOB Max. spec. growth rate from the Project|Parameters|Kinetic… menu
on the AOB tab.

Note: In this system we do not include mixers for the influent and RAS streams. Both
streams are connected directly to the front-end reactors in each train.

Steady State Performance

1. Run the steady state simulation.
2. Open the Album and add a new page with two horizontal panes using the
Album|Add page command.
3. In the upper pane, set up a table that shows flow rate, NH3-N, NO3-N, VSS, and TSS
for the upper section (plug flow part) of the plant; that is, in each reactor and in the
effluent.
4. Create a similar table in the lower pane, but for the lower section (completely mixed).
5. Re-run the steady state simulation, and discuss the results.
6. The tables on Page 7 (note that your page number may be different if you have
started with a blank album) should be similar to that shown below.

Your results after running a steady state

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Setting up charts
There are many options for creating different types of charts in BioWin. This tutorial will
only show a few examples and a limited number of formatting options. These will be the
ammonia and oxygen utilization rate responses in the system. More example charts are
included in the An Example.bwc file. For details on charting options refer to the sections:
1. "Creating Charts & Adding Series"
2. "Chart Formatting Procedures"
3. "Series Formatting Procedures"

Note: The default chart template can be customized under Tools|Chart master.

Create a Time series chart

In this section we set up a time series chart showing the ammonia concentration response
in the completely mixed reactor, Cell CSTR, and in the effluent from this train.
1. Open the Album and use the Album|Add page command to add a page
2. Right click on the blank pane, and select the Chart command.
3. On the Time Series tab, navigate to the Elements list. Expand the Bioreactor
group, select Cell CSTR, and click the right-pointing arrow to move it to the Selected
elements list. Expand the Effluent group, select Effluent CSTR, and click the right-
pointing arrow to move it to the Selected elements list.
4. In the State variables list, locate Ammonia (or NH3-N if you are using short-form
naming) and double-click it (or push the right-pointing arrow) to move it to the
Selected variables list.
5. Check that the Fast Line option is showing to the left of the Plot selected button; if
not, click the option showing and select Fast Line from the Time series gallery. Click
the Plot selected button.
6. Click the Close button in the Add Series dialog box.
7. On Page 2 (once again, your page numbering may be different – this is not a
concern) of the Album set up a time series chart comparing the effluent ammonia
concentrations for each of the two trains.

Note: No lines appear in the chart yet. You must first run a dynamic simulation (see below).

Note: Setting up charts automatically adds the plotted items to the database.

Create a Time series chart with many series

In the last charting example, we added two series simultaneously to a chart. We can add
many at a time if we want! In this section we set up a time series chart showing the
ammonia concentration response in each of the reactors in the plug flow train, Cells #1 to
#4.

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1. Open the Album and use the Album|Add page command to add a page
2. Right click on the blank pane and select the Chart command.
3. On the Time Series tab, navigate to the Elements list. Expand the Bioreactor
group, select Cell #1, and click the right-pointing arrow to move it to the Selected
elements list. Repeat this for the #2, #3, and #4 cells. Alternatively, you can click on
the top level of the Bioreactor group (i.e. on the word “Bioreactor”), push ALL of
the bioreactors to the Selected elements list, and then delete the one that we do
not want (i.e. Cell CSTR) by clicking on it and pressing the Delete key on your
keyboard.
4. In the State variables list, locate Ammonia (or NH3-N if you are using short-form
naming) and double-click it (or push the right-pointing arrow) to move it to the
Selected variables list.
5. Check that the Fast Line option is showing to the left of the Plot selected button; if
not, click the option showing and select Fast Line from the Time series gallery. Click
the Plot selected button.
6. Click the Close button in the Add Series dialog box.

Current value chart

1. In this section we set up a current value chart showing the nitrate concentration in
each of the reactors in the plug flow train, Cells #1 to #4. A current value chart can
be presented as an area, bar or pie plot.
2. Open the Album and use the Album|Add page command to add a page
3. Right click on the blank pane and select the Chart command.
4. Select the Current value tab.
5. Expand the tree in the Elements list and move the four bioreactor cells to the right
Selected elements list.
6. Double-click Nitrate N (or NO3-N if you are using short names) in the State
variables list.
7. Check that the Bar series option is showing to the left of the Plot selected button; if
not, click the option showing and select Bar from the Time series gallery. Click the
Plot selected button...
8. Click the Close button in the Add Series dialog box.

Note: Current value charts also can be used to plot mass rates.

Your own time series charts

Try setting up two time series charts (line plots) on one page in the Album.
1. Open the Album and use the Album|Add page command to add a page. Select the
layout with two horizontal panes.

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2. In the upper pane set up a time series chart for the Total oxygen uptake rate
(OUR) response in the four-in-series reactor plug flow train.
3. In the lower pane set up a time series chart for the OUR (total) response in the
single reactor completely mixed train.

Dynamic simulations
1. From the main simulator window, set the dynamic simulation running for 1 day either
from the Simulate|Dynamic simulation menu command or by clicking on the
Dynamic simulation toolbar button ( ). After pressing the start button select the
Simulate from project start date and Current values options, and a simulation
time of 1 day.
2. When the dynamic simulation is complete press the stop button in the player dialog.

Note: You can switch to the Album while the simulation runs.

3. View the simulation results in the Album.

4. Continue the simulation for another 4 days. Set the dynamic simulation running from
the Simulate/Dynamic simulation menu command or by clicking on the Dynamic
simulation toolbar button. After pressing the start button select the Continue from
and Current values options and set the simulation time to 4 days.
5. Open the Album while the simulation runs (Ctrl+A).
6. When the dynamic simulation is complete press the stop button in the player dialog.
7. View the results in the Album and think of options for reducing "break-through" of
ammonia.
8. Re-run the steady state simulation and then run the dynamic simulation for 2 days
using the Simulate from project start date option. When the simulation is paused
at 2 days, double click on each wastage splitter in the drawing board and reduce
each wastage rate from 0.2 to 0.1 ML/d. Press the start button and continue the
dynamic simulation for 8 days.

Hint: Try starting a dynamic simulation by pressing the F7 key when the Album is open or
clicking on the Dynamic simulation button on the Album toolbar located beneath the
Album tabs.

Editing the charts

In setting up the charts you accepted many default charting options. For example,
automatic scaling of axes, the increments on axes, the grid appearance, the color selection,
the legend format, the chart titles, etc. The options are too numerous to list here.
Experiment with the many chart options. Start by right clicking on a chart and selecting the
various commands.

Note: Move the dialog box to one side of the chart. That way you will see the changes
happen immediately without having to close the dialog.

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TUTORIAL 4 – Secondary Clarifier Simulation

This tutorial demonstrates aspects of modeling secondary clarifier performance with the
one-dimensional settler model. Aspects covered in this tutorial include model settler
behavior under steady state and dynamic conditions.

The tutorial 4 system

For the demonstration we set up a simple one-reactor system with a model settler as
shown in the BioWin screen view below. The system has the following characteristics:

Bioreactor: 30 ML Depth = 4.5 DO = 2 mg/L

m
Clarifier Area = 4,000 m2 Depth = 4.0
(Model): m
RAS recycle: Initially 100
ML/d (100%)
Wastage rate: 6 ML/d (constant rate)

The Tutorial 4 system configuration

1. Change to SI units (ML and ML/d) and set up the system.

2. Double click on the influent element, click on the From file button, and load the file
An Example.ifd from the DATA directory.

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3. Run a steady state simulation to check that you have specified all the necessary
data.
4. Use the File|Save As command to save the configuration as My Tutorial 4 in the
Data/Tutorials directory.

Note: In this example the wastage stream effectively is withdrawn from the bioreactor, not
the underflow. This is termed hydraulic SRT control. The reason for choosing this mode is
that, irrespective of the underflow rate and the underflow TSS, the reactor TSS
concentration will remain relatively constant. By wasting mixed liquor from the reactor we
will maintain a relatively constant SRT even when the underflow rate changes. In this case
wasting 6 ML/d from a bioreactor volume of 30 ML translates into a 5 day SRT (but
remember we are not accounting for sludge in the settler in this SRT calculation).

Recording results and modifying the Album

1. Add a page to the Album with two vertical panes. Display the Element information
(summary) for the bioreactor and the model settler in the two panes.

Note: this step perhaps is not necessary – you will be able to get all the required
information from the main simulator window (TSS values, settler solids loading rate – SLR,
settler specific overflow rate – SOR, etc.).

2. We will record simulation results in the table below. All of this information can be
found either in the two-pane page you added to the Album or by moving the cursor
over elements in the drawing board and noting values displayed in the lower right
pane.

Underflow Max SLR SOR Efflue Reacto Underflow

Rate Compactabi nt TSS r TSS TSS
lity

Setting up a settler profile in the Album

1. We want a view of the TSS concentration profile in the settler. Move the cursor over
the settler in the drawing board, right click, and select the Add to Album command.
Select Profile Plot… from the flyout menu. In the dialog highlight Total suspended
solids in the right hand Combined list, select Current values for the profile type,
and the Concentration on X orientation option. Click on the Plot selected button,
select Line in the General series gallery, and close the dialog.

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2. The preceding step generated a new plot in the Album. Open the Album – the new
page should be visible. In the plot, concentration is on the x-axis (as selected
above), and settler height is on the y-axis.

Note: In this case we are simulating the settler as 10 layers in the vertical direction –
numbered from top to bottom as 0 to 9.

3. While we are editing the chart we should change the bottom axis (concentration)
scale to have a minimum and maximum of 0 mg/L and 15,000 mg/L, respectively.
Right click on the chart and select the Edit Axes command. For the bottom axis, in
the Scales tab uncheck the Automatic box, and use the Change… buttons to
specify the Maximum and Minimum axis values. Press the Close button.

Setting up a State Point Chart

1. We want add a State Point Analysis (SPA) diagram in the Album. Move the cursor
over the settler in the drawing board, right click, and select the Add to Album
command.
2. Select Chart… from the flyout menu.
3. If you are presented with the choice of adding the series to the current chart or
creating a new chart, click New. This will force the SPA chart to be plotted on its own
tab.
4. In the dialog, select the State point tab. Check the box labeled Plot dynamic state
point history. Do not check the box beside Limit state point history, which
means that there will be no limit on the number of points plotted.
5. Press the Plot selected… button
6. The preceding step generated a new plot in the Album. Open the Album – the new
page should be visible. Edit the chart to improve the presentation. What state is the
settler in according to flux theory?

Note: The settling parameters used to generate the gravity flux curve are shown in red at
the bottom of the chart. If you change these parameters, the gravity flux curve will be
updated on the fly.

Steady state simulations

1. Run a steady state simulation. Note the effluent and underflow TSS, and the SLR
and SOR. View the settler profile in the Album.
2. Change the underflow rate to 50 ML/d by double-clicking on the settler in the
drawing board and going to the Flow split tab. Repeat the steady state simulation
and record the results.
3. Change the underflow rate to 33 ML/d by double-clicking on the settler in the
drawing board and going to the Flow split tab. Repeat the steady state simulation
and record the results.

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Dynamic Simulations
1. Add a page to the Album with two horizontal panes. In the upper pane set up a time
series chart (Fast Line style) for the settler surface overflow rate, SOR. Set
minimum and maximum values on the left axis of 0 and 20. In the lower pane set up
a time series chart (Fast Line style) for the settler solids loading rate, SLR. Set
minimum and maximum values on the left axis of 0 and 200.

Note: Initially the charts will be blank because we have yet to run a dynamic simulation.

2. Add another page to the Album with two horizontal panes. In the upper pane set up
a time series chart (Fast Line style) for the effluent TSS. Set minimum and
maximum values on the left axis of 0 and 30. In the lower pane set up a time series
chart (Fast Line style) for the settler underflow TSS. Set minimum and maximum
values on the left axis of 0 and 16,000.
3. Start a dynamic simulation for 2 days. Observe the predicted performance of the
model settler in the Album.

Hint: If you start the simulation from the BioWin main window the Album disappears. You
can keep it open while the simulation is running if you use the dynamic simulation button in
the Album toolbar located below the Album tabs, or press the F7 key to start the simulation.

4. When the simulation is paused change the RAS rate to 100 ML/d. Continue the
simulation for another 3 days.
5. When the simulation is paused change the RAS rate to flow-paced at 33% (based
on the influent flow). Continue the simulation for another 3 days.
6. From the Project|Parameters|Settling... menu, on the Modified Vesilind tab,
change the maximum sludge compactability to 8,000 mg/L. Continue the dynamic
simulation for another 6 days. Watch the settler profile and effluent TSS in the
Album.
7. Try other situations with changes to the settler area/depth, and changes to the
sludge settling properties.

Note: Setting a low sludge compactability may cause problems with steady state
simulations not converging. This is a result of numerical solver problems because there can
be multiple solutions to the mass balance equations. In this situation, what you may wish to
do in place of a steady state simulation is run a dynamic simulation for an extended period
of 3 - 4 SRTs. This should move to the steady state solution.

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TUTORIAL 5 - Aeration System Simulation

This tutorial demonstrates diffused aeration system modeling.
Aspects covered in this tutorial include effects of changing oxygen parameters under
steady state and dynamic conditions.

The tutorial 5 system

For the demonstration we will split the influent flow equally between two parallel trains as
shown in the BioWin screen view below. The systems have the following characteristics:

Bioreactors: Each 25 ML Depth = 3.0 DO = 2 mg/L

m
Clarifier Each Area = 2,000 m2 Depth = 4.0
(Ideal): m
RAS recycle: Each 50 ML/d (100%)
Wastage Each 1.0 ML/d (constant
rate: rate)

The system used for Tutorial 5

1. Change to SI units (ML and ML/d) and set up the system.

2. In the influent element, load the file An Example.ifd from the DATA directory

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3. Use the File|Save As command to save the configuration as My Tutorial 5 in the

Data/Tutorials directory.

Recording results and modifying the Album

1. Add a new page to the Album with two vertical panes. Display the Element
information (summary) for the top reactor and the bottom reactor in the two panes.
2. We will record simulation results in the table below. All of this information can be
found in the two-pane page you added to the Album.

Depth Temp. F DO OUR QAIR OTR SOTE(

%)
3.0 20 0.5 2
4.5 20 0.5 2
6.0 20 0.5 2
4.5 12 0.5 2
4.5 20 0.5 4
4.5 20 0.8 2

Steady state simulations

1. Run a steady state simulation and evaluate the predicted performance of the
aeration system.

Note: data for the top and bottom reactors should be the same. If not, you must have an
error because the two systems should be set up identically, each receiving half of the
influent flow. Tabulate one set of the results.

2. Change the depth of the lower bioreactor in steps from 3.0 m to 4.5 and then 6.0 m.
For each change, re-run the steady state simulation, and tabulate the results for the
new depth.
3. Set the depth of each bioreactor to 4.5 m. The global temperature for the system is
20°C. Double click on the bottom cell to open the Properties dialog. On the
Operation tab, check the local temperature option, and specify a temperature of
12°C. Re-run the steady state simulation, and tabulate the results for the new
temperature.
4. Re-set the temperature to 20°C. Change the DO setpoint in the lower bioreactor to 4
mg/L, re-run the steady state simulation, and tabulate the results.
5. Re-set the DO setpoints to 2 mg/L in each reactor. Change  for the lower reactor to
0.8 (double-click on the Bottom Cell, click the Model tab– you can find aeration

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parameters such as alpha and beta on the Model tab). Re-run, and tabulate the
results.
6. Switch on oxygen transfer and DO modeling in the Project|Current Project
Options… menu on the Model tab. Re-run the steady state simulation, and discuss
differences in model predictions.
7. Re-set the  values to 0. Instead of specifying DO setpoints, switch to air flow rate
and adjust the values.

Dynamic Simulations
1. Modify the Album to include charts of air flow rate, DO and total oxygen uptake rate
for each of the aerated reactors.
2. Start a dynamic simulation. Observe the response of the aeration parameters.
3. Pause the simulation and change aeration parameters. Attempt to predict the effect
of the change before continuing the simulation.

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TUTORIAL 6 – Setting Up an SBR System

This tutorial provides an introduction to using sequencing batch reactor (SBR) modules in
BioWin. The system considered here is based on the simplest SBR module; namely, a
single-tank unit (without pre-zones) where filling, settling and decanting all occurs in one
zone without baffles.
Important Notes:
1. This configuration is not proposed as a potential design. Rather, the objective merely
is to illustrate how to set up an SBR system in BioWin.
2. Detailed Help on the different SBR modules is provided in the Drawing Board Unit
Processes section of the “Building Configurations” chapter.
3. There are certain basic issues to consider when simulating SBR systems. See the
introductory notes of the BioWin Examples section later in this document.

The System
We wish to set up an SBR system with four identical units in parallel. The layout of the
system is shown in the figure below. Each unit will operate on the same cycle, with equal
periods for fill, react, settle and decant (1 hour each, with a total cycle time of 4 hours, and
6 cycles per day). Influent to the system is directed sequentially to each of the four units for
a fill period of one hour. That is, SBR #1 receives influent for 1 hour (while SBR #2 is
decanting, SBR #3 is settling, and SBR #4 is reacting). At the end of the hour influent is
directed to SBR #2 and each of the SBRs moves to the next stage in its cycle (SBR #1
starts the react period, SBR #3 starts decanting, and SBR #4 starts settling). In summary,
each SBR is operated on the same cycle, but the cycles are offset from the adjacent unit by
one hour.

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The four-unit SBR system configuration

Suggested Approach
The response and interactions in a four-unit system like this can be very complex. Even
viewing the results can be confusing! As an example, the chart below shows how the level
in each SBR might change over 24 hours. It is strongly suggested that the practical
approach is to first set up a system that includes the flow division, but with only one of the
trains; that is, only one SBR unit. The system then can be debugged more readily.

Volume plot for system incorporating all 4 SBRs

Setting up the One-Unit Configuration

Set up the single-tank SBR system shown in the BioWin screen view below. The
characteristics that we will specify for the system are as follows:

SBR (full) volume 20 ML

Depth 4.5 m
Width 66 m
Minimum decant level 50%
Cycle: Fill 1 hour
React 1 hour
Settle 1 hour
Decant 1 hour
DO (fill and react phases) 2 mg/L
Initial liquid hold-up 50%
SBR underflow (for wastage): 20 ML/d from 1:45 to 2:00 hours in
each cycle.

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The Tutorial 6 system configuration

1. Change to SI units (ML and ML/d) and set up the system.

2. Right click on elements to change names.
3. Double click on the influent element, click on the From file button, and load the file
An Example.ifd from the DATA directory.
4. Use the File|Save As command to save the configuration as My Tutorial 6 in the
Data/Tutorials directory.

Specifying the flow distribution information

1. Double click on the first flow splitter element after the influent – or click the right
mouse button and select the Properties command.
2. Select the Flow split tab and specify the splitter as a flow router by placing a check
in the box at the lower left. Click on the Routing pattern button and specify that the
flow is Switched at intervals of 2 hours. This directs all the influent to SBRs #1 and
#2 for 2 hours, then to SBRs #3 and #4 for 2 hours, and so on.
3. For each of the flow splitters in front of a pair of SBRs, double click on the element –
or click the right mouse button and select the Properties command. Select the Flow
split tab, and specify the splitter as a Flow router by placing a check in the box at
the lower left. Click on the Routing pattern button and specify that the flow is
Switched at intervals of 1 hour. Any flow reaching the router from the upstream
router is alternated between the two SBRs at one-hour intervals.
4. When you are finished use the File|Save As… command – or click on the Save
button ( ) on the toolbar - to save the configuration as My Tutorial 6 in the
Data/Tutorials directory.

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Specifying the SBR physical information

1. Double click on the SBR element – or click the right mouse button and select the
Properties command.
2. On the SBR dimensions tab enter the SBR volume (full), depth and width (20 ML,
4.5 m, 66 m).
3. On the Initial values tab enter the initial SBR liquid hold-up as 50% (of the
maximum i.e. 10 ML).

Specifying the SBR operational information

For the SBR operation we wish to specify equal 1 hour periods for fill, react, settle and
decant; that is, a 4 hour cycle. The fill and react phases define the "mixed" period of
operation, where it is assumed that the reactor contents are well-mixed through either
aeration or mechanical mixing.

Hint: It is simplest if you adjust the cycle times in the order Mix start time, Decant start
time, Cycle length. BioWin is continually checking your input data and will not allow things
like decanting after the end of the cycle.

Hint: When reducing times from 1:00:00 (i.e. 1 day, zero hours, zero minutes) to say 4
hours, first increase the number of hours to 4 (i.e. 1:04:00) and then reduce the day unit
(i.e. 0:04:00).

1. On the SBR operation tab start by setting the Mix until / Start settling at time to 2
hours (i.e. fill + react).
2. Set the Decant / Draw starting at time to 3 hours.
3. Set the Cycle length or duration to 4 hours.
4. Select the To minimum decant level option so that the SBR is decanted to 50%
each cycle.
5. Click on the SBR aeration button and specify a constant DO setpoint of 2 mg/L.

Specifying the sludge wastage information

We wish to waste sludge from the SBR at a rate of 20 ML/d for a period from 1:45 to 2:00
during each cycle (i.e. 1.75 to 2.00 hours in decimal format). This corresponds to a waste
volume of 208 m3 per cycle.
• On the SBR underflow tab select the Flow pattern option and click on the Pattern
button.
• Select hours in the Time in grid group.
• Set the Cycle time to 4 hours.
• In the grid enter the time and flow data as shown below.

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The SBR underflow tab showing the wastage information

Note: All the required information has been specified. When you are finished use the
File|Save As… command – or click on the Save button ( ) on the toolbar - to save the
configuration as My Tutorial 6 in the Data/Tutorials directory.

Checking the system set-up

We want to check that all the data has been specified correctly. Generally this is achieved
most easily by (1) following the SBR liquid hold-up over a 24 hour period (six cycles), and
(2) checking that the flow routers are distributing the influent flow in the correct sequence.
[In this example the influent flow rate varies over the 24 hour cycle, but is specified as
constant for two-hour periods. This simplifies checking the SBR volume response].

Note: No lines appear in the charts until you run a dynamic simulation (see below).

1. Open the Album on Page 1.

2. Right click on the blank pane, and select the Chart command. This opens the
variable selection menu on the Time series tab – the one we want for now.
3. Select SBR #1 in the Element name pull-down list (delete the SBR underflow),
highlight Liquid Volume from the State variables list, and click the Plot selected
button. Select the Fast line option from the Time series gallery, and press OK.
4. Click the Close button to close the dialog box.

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5. Repeat this procedure to plot the flow to each of the four parallel branches in Page
2. Do this by sequentially selecting the Output and the Sidestream of each flow
router as the series to plot.
6. Repeat this procedure to plot the TSS concentration in SBR #1 in Page 3.
7. Repeat this procedure to plot the influent flow rate in Page 4.
8. Rename the Album pages by right clicking on the tabs at the bottom of the Album.
9. From the main simulator window, select the Project|Database|Data interval option,
and change the Display / data interval to 15 minutes. This is the interval at which
monitored data are added to the database and charts.
10. From the main simulator window, set the dynamic simulation running for 1 day either
from the Simulate|Dynamic simulation menu command or by clicking on the
Dynamic simulation toolbar button ( ) or press the F7 key. After pressing the
start button select the Simulate from project start date and Seed values options,
and a simulation time of 1 day.
11. View the response in the Album. While the simulation is running open the Album by
pressing Ctrl + A.
12. Check that each SBR receives influent flow for the appropriate one-hour intervals.
The album chart should appear as shown below.

Influent flow distribution

13. Check that the SBR volume response is correct, as shown in the view below. There
should be 6 cycles over the 24 hours. At the start of each cycle the volume should
be 10 ML (50% hold-up). For the first hour, the level increases. From 1:00 to 1:45
the level is constant, and then decreases by a small amount (208 m3) when wasting
occurs over the last 15 minutes of the mixing period. Decanting starts three hours

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into the cycle, and continues until the level reaches the 50% minimum at 4 hours
(end of the cycle). During different cycles the extent of filling differs because the
influent flow rate changes. It is worth checking that the volume increase during a fill
period corresponds to the amount of influent over that one-hour period.

The SBR liquid volume response

Running the SBR simulation to reach a steady state

1. From the main simulator window, set the dynamic simulation running for 50 days
either from the Simulate|Dynamic simulation menu command or by clicking on the
Dynamic simulation toolbar button( ) or press the F7 key. After pressing the start
button select the Simulate from project start date and Seed values options, and a
simulation time of 50 days.
2. In the Album monitor the TSS response as the system approaches a steady state.
While the simulation is running open the Album by pressing Ctrl + A. Right click on
the chart and use the Edit axes option to select the Automatic option for the
Bottom axis. This will automatically scale the chart.
3. When the dynamic simulation is complete press the stop button in the player dialog.
For this system, the response should have stabilized after approximately 40 days as
shown in the view below.

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TSS response over 50 days starting from Seed values

Viewing the stable SBR response

Now that the system has reached a steady state typically we will want to view the response
over 24 hours (or individual cycles). Usually it is most convenient to "set the clock back to
time zero" (the Simulate from project start date option will do that for you or select the
Start from date as June 10 in this case), but start the simulation based on the Current
values; that is the conditions after 50 days of simulation. This will save us from having to
change the time axis repeatedly.
1. From the main simulator window, set the dynamic simulation running for 1 day either
from the Simulate|Dynamic simulation menu command or by clicking on the
Dynamic simulation toolbar button ( ) (or press the F7 key). After pressing the
start button select the Simulate from project start date and Current values
options, and a simulation time of 1 day.
2. When the dynamic simulation is complete press the stop button in the player dialog.
3. In the Album view the simulated SBR response. The view below shows the TSS
response in SBR #1 over 24 hours (6 cycles). For the first hour in each cycle (during
fill) the concentration decreases as the volume increases. From 2 to 3 hours (during
react phase) the TSS remains near constant. When settling commences the plotted
TSS decreases rapidly. This is the TSS concentration in the top layer of the SBR.
The maximum TSS changes from cycle to cycle because the amount of fill (and
dilution) changes.
4. Add additional charts to the Album.
5. At this point use the File|Save As… command – or click on the Save button ( ) on
the toolbar - to save the configuration as My Tutorial 6 in the Data/Tutorials
directory.

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Note: The file is being saved "as is". This means that at a later date the file can be loaded,
and re-run using the Simulate from project start date and Current values options (i.e.
the status of the system at the time of saving the file). This obviates the need to run for an
extended period to reach steady state.

TSS response over 24 hours

The BioWin file for this system can be found in the Data/Tutorials directory under the
name: Tutorial 6.BWC.
The Album includes charts for a large number of parameters.

Important note: Making changes to SBR physical or operational data often requires
running the simulation for an extended period to attain a new steady state.

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BioWin Examples
A number of example configurations are provided with the BioWin installation. The
examples can be accessed via the Pre-Configured File Cabinet (found on the BioWin main
window toolbar). Pre-Configured File Cabinet : Click the arrow next to this button (at
the top of the main window) to select and load pre-configured BioWin process files. These
highlight some of the advanced features available in BioWin. A level of familiarity with
BioWin is assumed – detailed instructions for setting up the configurations such as those
given in the Tutorials section of this chapter are not given here. Therefore, it is
recommended that you complete the tutorial exercises earlier in this chapter before
investigating these files.

Pre-Configured File Cabinet

Clicking the arrow next to the file cabinet icon ( ) on the main toolbar shows a list of
process configurations that have been created.

Pre-configured File Cabinet

When you click on one of these configurations, BioWin will prompt you to save any work
that you currently have open. Next, the selected file will open in the background and
BioWin prompts you to save it under a different name and in a different location from where
it was opened. If you plan to work with the file extensively, it is recommended that you
follow these steps. However, you can select Cancel and do this later.

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