Analyzing Results

Understanding and interpreting simulation outputs

Results Overview

After running a simulation, ErgoPlanner provides comprehensive results across multiple categories:

Category	Description
Stream Data	Flow, composition at each connection
Unit Performance	Removal efficiencies, operating conditions
Mass Balance	Material tracking through the plant
Energy	Power consumption and generation
Emissions	GHG and carbon footprint

Accessing Results

Stream Results

Click any connection to see:

Parameter	Unit	Description
Flow	m3/d	Volumetric flow rate
TSS	mg/L	Total suspended solids
COD	mg/L	Chemical oxygen demand
BOD	mg/L	Biochemical oxygen demand
TN	mg/L	Total nitrogen
NH4-N	mg/L	Ammonia nitrogen
NO3-N	mg/L	Nitrate nitrogen
TP	mg/L	Total phosphorus
PO4-P	mg/L	Orthophosphate
Alkalinity	mg/L as CaCO3	Buffer capacity

Unit Results

Click any process unit to see:

Section	Content
Operating	Current operating parameters
Performance	Removal efficiencies
Design Check	Capacity utilization
Energy	Power consumption

Mass Balance Table

Access via View > Mass Balance or Ctrl + M

Table Structure

Parameter	Influent	Effluent	Removed	% Removal
Flow (m3/d)	10,000	9,800	200	2.0%
TSS (kg/d)	2,500	125	2,375	95.0%
COD (kg/d)	5,000	350	4,650	93.0%
BOD (kg/d)	2,500	100	2,400	96.0%
TN (kg/d)	450	90	360	80.0%
TP (kg/d)	80	16	64	80.0%

Interpreting Mass Balance

Good indicators:

• Mass in ≈ Mass out + Mass removed
• Reasonable removal percentages
• No negative values

Warning signs:

• Large imbalances (>5%)
• Unexpectedly high/low removal
• Accumulation over time (dynamic)

Performance Metrics

Effluent Quality

Compare against discharge limits:

Parameter	Result	Limit	Status
TSS	12 mg/L	30 mg/L	✅ Pass
BOD	8 mg/L	20 mg/L	✅ Pass
NH4-N	3.5 mg/L	5 mg/L	✅ Pass
TN	12 mg/L	10 mg/L	❌ Fail
TP	1.8 mg/L	2 mg/L	⚠️ Margin

Process Unit Efficiency

Unit	Parameter	Efficiency
Primary Clarifier	TSS Removal	62%
Aeration Tank	COD Removal	85%
Secondary Clarifier	TSS Removal	98%
Nitrification	NH4 Oxidation	95%
Denitrification	NO3 Reduction	75%

Design Capacity Check

Unit	Design	Operating	Utilization
Primary	500 m3/h	417 m3/h	83%
Aeration	5000 m3	5000 m3	100%
Secondary	800 m2	650 m2	81%

Charts and Visualization

Trend Charts (Dynamic)

View parameter trends over time:

1. Select parameter(s) to plot
2. Choose time range
3. View trend line
4. Export as image or data

Sankey Diagrams

Visualize material flow:

• Width represents mass flow
• Color indicates stream type
• Hover for values

Bar Charts

Compare across units:

• Removal efficiency by unit
• Energy consumption breakdown
• Sludge production sources

Exporting Results

Export Options

Format	Use Case
CSV	Spreadsheet analysis
Excel	Formatted reports
PDF	Documentation
JSON	Programmatic access

Export Procedure

1. Go to File > Export Results
2. Select format
3. Choose data to include:
   • [ ] Mass balance
   • [ ] Stream compositions
   • [ ] Unit performance
   • [ ] Energy summary
4. Click Export

Automated Reports

Generate standard reports:

• Design Summary: All key metrics
• Compliance Report: vs. permit limits
• Energy Report: Power analysis
• Carbon Report: GHG emissions

Analysis Tools

Parameter Search

Find specific values:

1. Press Ctrl + F
2. Enter parameter name
3. See all occurrences
4. Click to navigate

Compare Scenarios

Side-by-side comparison:

1. Open Scenario Comparison
2. Select scenarios to compare
3. View difference table
4. Highlight significant changes

Statistical Summary

For dynamic simulations:

Statistic	Description
Mean	Average value
Max	Maximum value
Min	Minimum value
Std Dev	Variability
Percentiles	Distribution

Quality Indicators

Result Confidence

Indicator	Meaning
🟢 Green	High confidence
🟡 Yellow	Check assumptions
🔴 Red	Review required

Warning Messages

Common warnings:

• "Flow imbalance >2%" - Check connections
• "TSS removal high" - Verify settling parameters
• "Negative alkalinity" - Check pH/nitrification

Best Practices

Result Verification

1. Check mass balance: Totals should balance
2. Verify efficiencies: Within typical ranges
3. Compare to benchmarks: Literature values
4. Review warnings: Address all flags

Documentation

Record for each simulation:

• Input conditions
• Key assumptions
• Calculation mode
• Results summary
• Any anomalies

Sensitivity Checks

Test result robustness:

• Vary key parameters ±20%
• Check if conclusions change
• Identify critical parameters

Typical Ranges

Removal Efficiencies

Process	Parameter	Typical Range
Primary Clarifier	TSS	50-70%
Primary Clarifier	BOD	25-40%
Activated Sludge	COD	80-95%
Activated Sludge	NH4	90-99%
BNR	TN	60-85%
Bio-P	TP	70-90%

Operating Parameters

Parameter	Typical Range
MLSS	2,000-5,000 mg/L
SRT	5-25 days
F/M	0.1-0.5 kg BOD/kg MLSS·d
DO	1-3 mg/L
RAS Rate	50-150%

Troubleshooting Results

Issue	Possible Cause	Check
Low removal	Undersized unit	Increase volume/area
High effluent	Overloaded	Check design capacity
Mass imbalance	Missing stream	Verify all connections
Poor N removal	Low SRT	Increase sludge age
Poor P removal	No anaerobic zone	Add anaerobic reactor

Next Steps

• Exporting Data - Share your results
• Carbon Footprint - GHG analysis
• Design Calculations - Sizing verification