A steady-state model for activated sludge with or without nitrogen con
trol is proposed. It pertains to real activated sludge systems in that
both soluble and particulate influent organics are addressed and vari
ous fractions of the mixed liquor solids are distinguished. The pseudo
first-order kinetic law is used for soluble BOD removal and first-ord
er kinetic for the hydrolysis of particulate organics. Biodegradation
of hydrolyzed particulates is treated in a simlar way to the soluble o
rganics by using an ''effective soluble BOD'' term which combines both
BOD sources. Monod rate law is used for nitrification while denitrifi
cation is controlled by BOD removal under anoxic conditions. The model
equations are solved by an iterative procedure developed for this pro
blem.