Regular articleExperimental validation of a simple dynamic model of a laboratory scale recirculating aquaculture system fitted with a submerged membrane bioreactor

•A laboratory-scale system is set-up, automated and controlled.•Analysis of the process measurement shows three different time-scales.•A time-scale separation simplifies the model parameter identification.•Smaller number of measurements is requires to achieve satisfactory identification.•The four state model captures the biological and fouling dynamics of the process.

Submerged membrane bioreactors (sMBRs) are a promising technology for nitrogen removal in recirculating aquaculture systems (RASs). However, there are still relatively few reports on the experimental application of this strategy. In this study, a laboratory-scale system, mimicking a RAS fitted with a sMBR, was designed and automated, and a simple dynamic sMBR model including biological and physical phenomena was validated. The system was analyzed based on measurements collected by a data logging structure involving a programmable logic controller (PLC), an industrial network protocol and a LabView application software. This study confirms the suitability of sMBR systems within aquaculture applications. The dynamic model has good predictive capabilities and could be used for the design of advanced control structures, such as model predictive control.