Input parameters
The user can enter the desired input specifications via the 'start' screen. The input parameters are divided into six sections:
1. General
This group of parameters includes the ‘generalities’. Most of these parameters have no direct influence on the actual treatment, but are rather decisive for taking precautionary measures. An example is e.g. buffering of waste water in case of strong flow rate variations.
2. Interfering substances
This is a group of parameters which are regarded as a nuisance for the treatment system and which must be removed prior to the actual treatment. An example is e.g. sand that can damage the treatment infrastructure through its abrasiveness.
3-6. Pollutants
The actual treatment process is tailored based on these parameters. One can simultaneously select multiple pollutants.
A help function alongside the parameters provides the necessary background information or clarification, so that the input data can be inserted in an appropriate manner.
At the input specifications of the pollutants, the user can specify whether he or she wishes to remove them or not and if so, to what extent (extensive or not). This decision is made on the basis of the purpose the user has in mind, with the treatment
• Does one needs to discharge waste water within the limits of (strict) discharge standards?
• Does one wants to reuse the wastewater in the production process?
• Or is the actual objective to limit the waste water charges? In this case the operator will strive to substantially remove components that contribute most to the charge.
If the user indicates that he or she wishes to remove a particular component extensively WASS will propose treatment processes with a high removal efficiency. The difference in a 'normal' removal and a more 'drastic' removal will result in the majority of cases in a pre- or post-treatment.
For some parameters, additional information is requested in order to increase the reliability of the result. Some input options ask for the concentration or toxicity of certain parameters, the desirability for metal recovery, etc.