Modeling of a paper-making wastewater treatment process using a fuzzy neural network

An intelligent system that includes a predictive model and a control was developed to predict and control the performance of a wastewater treatment plant. The predictive model was based on fuzzy C-means clustering, fuzzy inference and neural networks. Fuzzy C-means clustering was used to identify model’s architecture, extract and optimize fuzzy rule. When predicting, MAPE was 4.7582% and R was 0.8535. The simulative results indicate that the learning ability and generalization of the model was good, and it can achieve a good predication of effluent COD. The control model was based on a fuzzy neural network model, taking into account the difference between the predicted value of COD and the setpoint. When simulating, R was 0.9164, MAPE was 5.273%, and RMSE was 0.0808, which showed that the FNN control model can effectively change the additive dosages. The control of a paper-making wastewater treatment process in the laboratory using the developed predictive control model and MCGS (monitor and control generated system) software shows the dosage was computed accurately to make the effluent COD remained at the setpoint, when the influent COD value or inflow flowrate was changed. The results indicate that reasonable forecasting and control performances were achieved through the developed system; the maximum error was only 3.67%, and the average relative error was 2%.