The use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Technique for evaluating the efficiency of an activated sludge reactor

1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (10-11) ◽  
pp. 329-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. B. Karama ◽  
O. O. Onyejekwe ◽  
C. J. Brouckaert ◽  
C. A. Buckley
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Computational Techniques ◽  
Activated Sludge Reactor ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd ◽  
The Cost ◽  
New Generation

Adequate models for wastewater treatment are limited by the cost of constructing them. Many a time, studies carried out on wastewater treatment plants have not been very useful in enhancing their performance. As a result, numerous mathematical models presented by different researchers on sedimentation tanks and clarifiers have not been getting much attention. Recently, improvement in computers and computational techniques have led to the development of a new generation of highly efficient programs for simulating real fluid flow within any type of geometry including clarifiers and activated sludge reactors. Herein, a computational fluid dynamics code, PHOENICS, is used to determine the performance of an anaerobic zone in an activated sludge reactor. Plausible results were achieved when experimental data were compared with numerical results.

Modelling and simulation of the steady-state of secondary settlers in wastewater treatment plants

2001 ◽  
Vol 43 (7) ◽  
pp. 39-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Queinnec ◽  
D. Dochain
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Steady State ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Parameter Identification ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Sensitivity Studies ◽  
Activated Sludge Processes

This paper discusses the steady-state modelling of thickening in circular secondary settlers of activated sludge processes. The limitations of the solid flux theory basic models to represent steady-state operating conditions serve as a basis to introduce more sophisticated models derived from computational fluid dynamics. Parameter identification and sensitivity studies have been performed from lab-scale continuous experiments.

Modelling of wastewater treatment plants – how far shall we go with sophisticated modelling tools?

2006 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 79-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.C. Glover ◽  
C. Printemps ◽  
K. Essemiani ◽  
J. Meinhold
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Structure Identification ◽  
Oxidation Ditch ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis

Several levels of complexity are available for modelling of wastewater treatment plants. Modelling local effects rely on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approaches whereas activated sludge models (ASM) represent the global methodology. By applying both modelling approaches to pilot plant and full scale systems, this paper evaluates the value of each method and especially their potential combination. Model structure identification for ASM is discussed based on a full-scale closed loop oxidation ditch modelling. It is illustrated how and for what circumstances information obtained via CFD (computational fluid dynamics) analysis, residence time distribution (RTD) and other experimental means can be used. Furthermore, CFD analysis of the multiphase flow mechanisms is employed to obtain a correct description of the oxygenation capacity of the system studied, including an easy implementation of this information in the classical ASM modelling (e.g. oxygen transfer). The combination of CFD and activated sludge modelling of wastewater treatment processes is applied to three reactor configurations, a perfectly mixed reactor, a pilot scale activated sludge basin (ASB) and a real scale ASB. The application of the biological models to the CFD model is validated against experimentation for the pilot scale ASB and against a classical global ASM model response. A first step in the evaluation of the potential of the combined CFD-ASM model is performed using a full scale oxidation ditch system as testing scenario.

The Application of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in Wastewater Biological Treatment Field

2014 ◽  
Vol 507 ◽  
pp. 711-715
Author(s):  
Si Mai Peng ◽  
Yi Di Chen ◽  
Wan Qian Guo ◽  
Shan Shan Yang ◽  
Qing Lian Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Biological Treatment ◽  
Membrane Bioreactor ◽  
Flow State ◽  
Activated Sludge Reactor ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd ◽  
Ultimate Purpose ◽  
Wastewater Biological Treatment

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD), which is a widely used technique, has been applied to the wastewater biological treatment field recently. It can clearly reveal the inner flow state that is the hydraulic condition of a biological reactor. In engineering, it is able to guide the optimization, and even the design. This paper reviews the application of CFD in the main biological reactors, including: stabilization pond, membrane bioreactor and activated sludge reactor. In addition, the existing difficulties are thoroughly analyzed from three aspects: the current researches, the limitation of the studies and the reasons of the limitation. The ultimate purpose of this review is to point out the developing direction of the research and to inspire researchers to expand the use of CFD in this field.

A protocol for the use of computational fluid dynamics as a supportive tool for wastewater treatment plant modelling

2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (10) ◽  
pp. 1575-1584 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Laurent ◽  
R. W. Samstag ◽  
J. M. Ducoste ◽  
A. Griborio ◽  
I. Nopens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Cfd Models ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd ◽  
Plant Modelling ◽  
Is Design ◽  
Insight Into

To date, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models have been primarily used for evaluation of hydraulic problems at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). A potentially more powerful use, however, is to simulate integrated physical, chemical and/or biological processes involved in WWTP unit processes on a spatial scale and to use the gathered knowledge to accelerate improvement in plant models for everyday use, that is, design and optimized operation. Evolving improvements in computer speed and memory and improved software for implementing CFD, as well as for integrated processes, has allowed for broader usage of this tool for understanding, troubleshooting, and optimal design of WWTP unit processes. This paper proposes a protocol for an alternative use of CFD in process modelling, as a way to gain insight into complex systems leading to improved modelling approaches used in combination with the IWA activated sludge models and other kinetic models.

The Use of Computational Fluid Dynamics for Improving the Design and Operation of Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants

1999 ◽  
Vol 40 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 81-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Brouckaert ◽  
C. A. Buckley
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Potable Water ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Water Treatment Plant ◽  
Outer Wall ◽  
Water And Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Secondary Clarifier

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) studies of a secondary clarifier at Durban's Northern Wastewater Treatment Works, and of a clarifier at the potable water treatment plant at Umzinto, a small town near Durban, have been undertaken with a view to improving their load capacities. In both cases the units are located in relatively old treatment plants, which face continually increasing loads due to population growth. Increasing the capacity of existing equipment, rather than installing new equipment, constitutes an efficient use of development capital. Although the two clarifiers have considerable design differences, the CFD studies indicated remarkably similar circulating flows, which concentrate up-flow near the outer wall of the clarifier in the region of the clarified water overflow weirs. Baffles were designed to disrupt the circulation so as to distribute up-flow over a wider area, thereby reducing the maximum vertical velocities. In the case of the wastewater secondary clarifier, the modification has been implemented, and evaluated in comparative tests involving an otherwise identical unmodified clarifier. In the case of the potable water clarifier, the modification has still to be implemented.

scholarly journals Trim Influence on Kriso Container Ship (KCS): An Experimental and Numerical Study

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emil Shivachev ◽  
Mahdi Khorasanchi ◽  
Alexander H. Day
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Computational Cost ◽  
Breaking Waves ◽  
Computational Techniques ◽  
Container Ship ◽  
Towing Tank ◽  
Operational Life ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd

There has been a lot of interest in trim optimisation to reduce fuel consumption and emissions of ships. Many existing ships are designed for a single operational condition with the aim of producing low resistance at their design speed and draft with an even keel. Given that a ship will often sail outside this condition over its operational life and moreover some vessels such as LNG carriers return in ballast condition in one leg, the effect of trim on ships resistance will be significant. Ship trim optimization analysis has traditionally been done through towing tank testing. Computational techniques have become increasingly popular for design and optimization applications in all engineering disciplines. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), is the fastest developing area in marine fluid dynamics as an alternative to model tests. High fidelity CFD methods are capable of modelling breaking waves which is especially crucial for trim optimisation studies where the bulbous bow partially emerges or the transom stern partially immerses. This paper presents a trim optimization study on the Kriso Container Ship (KCS) using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in conjunction with towing tank tests. A series of resistance tests for various trim angles and speeds were conducted at 1:75 scale at design draft. CFD computations were carried out for the same conditions with the hull both fixed and free to sink and trim. Dynamic sinkage and trim add to the computational cost and thus slow the optimisation process. The results obtained from CFD simulations were in good agreement with the experiments. After validating the applicability of the computational model, the same mesh, boundary conditions and solution techniques were used to obtain resistance values for different trim conditions at different Froude numbers. Both the fixed and free trim/sinkage models could predict the trend of resistance with variation of trim angles; however the fixed model failed to measure the absolute values as accurately as the free model. It was concluded that a fixed CFD model, although computationally faster and cheaper, can find the optimum trim angle but cannot predict the amount of savings with very high accuracy. Results concerning the performance of the vessel at different speeds and trim angles were analysed and optimum trim is suggested.

Energy saving on wastewater treatment plants through improved online control: case study wastewater treatment plant Antwerp-South

2014 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. 1074-1079 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kris De Gussem ◽  
Alessio Fenu ◽  
Tom Wambecq ◽  
Marjoleine Weemaes
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plant ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Flow Direction ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Advanced Control ◽  
Nutrient Removal Efficiency ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd

This work provides a case study on how activated sludge modelling and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can help to optimize the energy consumption of a treatment plant that is already equipped with an advanced control based on online nutrient measurements. Currently, aeration basins on wastewater treatment plant Antwerp-South are operated sequentially while flow direction and point of inflow and outflow vary as a function of time. Activated sludge modelling shows that switching from the existing alternating flow based control to a simultaneous parallel feeding of all aeration tanks saves 1.3% energy. CFD calculations also illustrate that the water velocity is still sufficient if some impellers in the aeration basins are shutdown. The simulations of the Activated Sludge Model No. 2d indicate that the coupling of the aeration control with the impeller control, and automatically switching off some impellers when the aeration is inactive, can save 2.2 to 3.3% of energy without affecting the nutrient removal efficiency. On the other hand, all impellers are needed when the aeration is active to distribute the oxygen.

Model structure identification for wastewater treatment simulation based on computational fluid dynamics

2002 ◽  
Vol 45 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 325-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Alex ◽  
G. Kolisch ◽  
K. Krause
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Dynamic Simulation ◽  
Cfd Simulation ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Structure Identification ◽  
Suitable Model ◽  
Model Structure

The objective of this presented project is to use the results of an CFD simulation to automatically, systematically and reliably generate an appropriate model structure for simulation of the biological processes using CSTR activated sludge compartments. Models and dynamic simulation have become important tools for research but also increasingly for the design and optimisation of wastewater treatment plants. Besides the biological models several cases are reported about the application of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to wastewater treatment plants. One aim of the presented method to derive model structures from CFD results is to exclude the influence of empirical structure selection to the result of dynamic simulations studies of WWTPs. The second application of the approach developed is the analysis of badly performing treatment plants where the suspicion arises that bad flow behaviour such as short cut flows is part of the problem. The method suggested requires as the first step the calculation of fluid dynamics of the biological treatment step at different loading situations by use of 3-dimensional CFD simulation. The result of this information is used to generate a suitable model structure for conventional dynamic simulation of the treatment plant by use of a number of CSTR modules with a pattern of exchange flows between the tanks automatically. The method is explained in detail and the application to the WWTP Wuppertal Buchenhofen is presented.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document