Core Concepts
Computer vision-based approach using CNNs to predict activated sludge settling characteristics.
Abstract
Authors from various institutions contributed to the study.
Microbial communities impact wastewater treatment processes.
Activated sludge settling issues can be predicted using computer vision.
Transfer learning of CNN models enhances prediction accuracy.
Data augmentation techniques improve model generalizability.
Various CNN architectures were tested for predicting sludge settling characteristics.
ConvNeXt-nano model showed the best performance.
Real-world application demonstrated early detection of filamentous bulking events.
CNN models can be valuable tools for wastewater treatment plant management.
Stats
"The results showed that the suggested CNN-based approach provides less labour-intensive, objective, and consistent assessments while transfer learning notably minimises the training phase, resulting in a generalizable system that can be employed in real-time applications."
"The sludge volume index (SVI) was used as the final prediction variable, but the method can easily be adjusted to predict any other settling metric of choice."
Quotes
"The model's capability to signal early indicators of FB events makes it a valuable tool for effective monitoring and preemptive management of WWTPs facing activated sludge settling problems."