A coupled model of biological and settling phases aimed at optimal design of predenitrification systems is presented. Each unknown is obtained in explicit form, and is expressed as a function of the system's required performance. A model, taking into account both suspended and dissolved substrates, is adopted for the biological phase, while the limiting solid flux theory is assumed for the design of the settling phase. Finally, a relationship correlating the two phases is obtained expressing opportunely the sludge recycle flow and the sludge waste flow, without recourse to empirical parameters. The effect of different influent and effluent wastewater characteristics on the model's results is also analyzed.