RESEARCH AND JUSTIFICATION OF THE OPTIMAL OPTICAL AND DESIGN PARAMETERS OF THE ACTIVATED SLUDGE CONCENTRATION MEASURING DEVICE FOR BIOLOGICAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT

This article discusses the optimization of the design and optical parameters of an activated sludge concentration measuring device through experimental studies in laboratory conditions in order to improve the metrological characteristics of the meter. In particular, based on the optimality criteria, a more suitable type of photodetector for the meter is compared and selected; for the selected photodetector, the optimal distance with the emitter is determined, which is modern LEDs that emit light of a selective wavelength of radiation and under a certain degree of illumination. Based on the experiments conducted, it was determined that the optimal thickness between the photocells is 0.6 cm, at which point more accurate measurements of the concentration of activated sludge in wastewater are observed. Also, for this measuring device, the optimal wavelength of radiation was determined, at which maximum absorption of the supplied light to the test substance is observed, which helps to increase the accuracy of measurement according to the turbidimetric law of the concentration of microorganisms. Based on the established optimal values of the measuring device, measurements were carried out several times, and the results were compared with the results of measuring the concentration of activated sludge using the thermogravimetric method, which is the reference measurement method. Based on the comparison results, it was established that the correlation coefficient is 0.98, which is a completely satisfied value at which the measuring device has improved metrological characteristics.