The development and calibration of a physical model to assist in optimising the hydraulic performance and design of maturation ponds

2005 ◽  
Vol 51 (12) ◽  
pp. 173-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.J. Aldana ◽  
B.J. Lloyd ◽  
K. Guganesharajah ◽  
N. Bracho

A physical and a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model (HYDRO-3D) were developed to simulate the effects of novel maturation pond configurations, and critical environmental factors (wind speed and direction) on the hydraulic efficiency (HE) of full-scale maturation ponds. The aims of the study were to assess the reliability of the physical model and convergence with HYDRO-3D, as tools for assessing and predicting best hydraulic performance of ponds. The physical model of the open ponds was scaled to provide a similar nominal retention time (NRT) of 52 hours. Under natural conditions, with a variable prevailing westerly wind opposite to the inlet, a rhodamine tracer study on the full-scale prototype pond produced a mean hydraulic retention time (MHRT) of 18.5 hours (HE = 35.5%). Simulations of these wind conditions, but with constant wind speed and direction in both the physical model and HYDRO-3D, produced a higher MHRT of 21 hours in both models and an HE of 40.4%. In the absence of wind tracer studies in the open pond physical model revealed incomplete mixing with peak concentrations leaving the model in several hours, but an increase in MHRT to 24.5–28 hours (HE = 50.2–57.1%). Although wind blowing opposite to the inlet flow increases dispersion (mixing), it reduced hydraulic performance by 18–25%. Much higher HE values were achieved by baffles (67–74%) and three channel configurations (69–92%), compared with the original open pond configuration. Good agreement was achieved between the two models where key environmental and flow parameters can be controlled and set, but it is difficult to accurately simulate full-scale works conditions due to the unpredictability of natural hourly and daily fluctuation in these parameters.

1995 ◽  
Vol 31 (12) ◽  
pp. 267-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. S. O. Ceballos ◽  
A. Konig ◽  
B. Lomans ◽  
A. B. Athayde ◽  
H. W. Pearson

A single full-scale primary facultative pond in Sapé, north-east Brazil was monitored for performance and efficiency. The pond had a hydraulic retention time of 61 days and achieved a 95% BOD5 removal efficiency and had no helminth eggs in the effluent. The effluent failed to meet the WHO faecal coliform guideline for unrestricted irrigation. The pond was dominated by the cyanobacterium Microcystis and gave better than predicted orthophosphate removal. Details of how the system could be simply upgraded utilizing the same land are discussed.


Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 458
Author(s):  
Drew C. Baird ◽  
Benjamin Abban ◽  
S. Michael Scurlock ◽  
Steven B. Abt ◽  
Christopher I. Thornton

While there are a wide range of design recommendations for using rock vanes and bendway weirs as streambank protection measures, no comprehensive, standard approach is currently available for design engineers to evaluate their hydraulic performance before construction. This study investigates using 2D numerical modeling as an option for predicting the hydraulic performance of rock vane and bendway weir structure designs for streambank protection. We used the Sedimentation and River Hydraulics (SRH)-2D depth-averaged numerical model to simulate flows around rock vane and bendway weir installations that were previously examined as part of a physical model study and that had water surface elevation and velocity observations. Overall, SRH-2D predicted the same general flow patterns as the physical model, but over- and underpredicted the flow velocity in some areas. These over- and underpredictions could be primarily attributed to the assumption of negligible vertical velocities. Nonetheless, the point differences between the predicted and observed velocities generally ranged from 15 to 25%, with some exceptions. The results showed that 2D numerical models could provide adequate insight into the hydraulic performance of rock vanes and bendway weirs. Accordingly, design guidance and implications of the study results are presented for design engineers.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (03) ◽  
pp. 1850024 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Pozzi ◽  
Mauro Bonfanti ◽  
Giuliana Mattiazzo

Friction is a complicated phenomenon that plays a central role in a wide variety of physical systems. An accurate modeling of the friction forces is required in the model-based design approach, especially when the efficiency optimization and system controllability are the core of the design. In this work, a gyroscopic unit is considered as case study: the flywheel rotation is affected by different friction sources that needs to be compensated by the flywheel motor. An accurate modeling of the dissipations can be useful for the system efficiency optimization. According to the inertial sea wave energy converter (ISWEC) gyroscope layout, friction forces are modeled and their dependency with respect to the various physical quantities involved is examined. The mathematical model of friction forces is validated against the experimental data acquired during the laboratory testing of the ISWEC gyroscope. Moreover, in the wave energy field, it is common to work with scale prototypes during the full-scale device development. For this reason, the scale effect on dissipations has been correlated based on the Froude scaling law, which is commonly used for wave energy converter scaling. Moreover, a mixed Froude–Reynolds scaling law is taken into account, in order to maintain the scale of the fluid-dynamic losses due to flywheel rotation. The analytical study is accompanied by a series of simulations based on the properties of the ISWEC full-scale gyroscope.


2020 ◽  
pp. 38-60
Author(s):  
Lin Li ◽  
Farshad Amini ◽  
Yi Pan ◽  
Saiyu Yuan ◽  
Bora Cetin

1978 ◽  
Vol 1 (16) ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
Sverre Bjordal ◽  
Alf Torum

A common method of estimating the sheltering effects of different breakwater locations and layouts is to carry out physical model wave disturbance tests. Such tests have been carried out in different laboratories throughout the world for many years. But to our knowledge no reports are available in the literature showing comparison between model measurements and field measurements. The trend is that we know more and more on the wave cl imate along our coasts. Hence we have a better basis to make our economical calculations on breakwaters. We therefore also want to operate our models on a more absolute basis rather than on a comparative basis. The trend in recent years has also been to study breakwater locations and layouts in order to minimize mooring forces and ship movements. On this background VHL found a comparison between model test results and field measurements necessary. Full scale measurements of waves were carried out in two harbours by VHL during the winter 1976/77. This paper will present the results of the comparison of the model and the full scale measurements in Berlevag and Vard0 fishing harbours on the open coast of Finnmark in the northern part of Norway (Fig. I) . The model tests, as well as the full scale measurements, have been sponsored by the Norwegian State Harbour Authorities.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (20) ◽  
pp. 6548
Author(s):  
Peng Liao ◽  
Jiyang Fu ◽  
Wenyong Ma ◽  
Yuan Cai ◽  
Yuncheng He

According to the engineering phenomenon of the galloping of ice-coated transmission lines at certain wind speeds, this paper proposes a novel type of energy harvester based on the galloping of a flexible structure. It uses the tension generated by the galloping structure to cause periodic strain on the piezoelectric cantilever beam, which is highly efficient for converting wind energy into electricity. On this basis, a physical model of fluid–structure interaction is established, and the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equation and SST K -ω turbulent model based on ANSYS Fluent are used to carry out a two-dimensional steady computational fluid dynamics (CFD) numerical simulation. First, the CFD technology under different grid densities and time steps is verified. CFD numerical simulation technology is used to simulate the physical model of the energy harvester, and the effect of wind speed on the lateral displacement and aerodynamic force of the flexible structure is analyzed. In addition, this paper also carries out a parameterized study on the influence of the harvester’s behavior, through the wind tunnel test, focusing on the voltage and electric power output efficiency. The harvester has a maximum output power of 119.7 μW/mm3 at the optimal resistance value of 200 KΩ at a wind speed of 10 m/s. The research results provide certain guidance for the design of a high-efficiency harvester with a square aerodynamic shape and a flexible bluff body.


1955 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 53-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leroy H. Clem

The development of turbo-jet aircraft has made high-level clear air turbulence a major problem for aviation interests. This paper emphasizes the association of the majority of this turbulence with the pronounced vertical wind shear in and near the maximum wind speed centers that move along the jet stream. A physical model is proposed as a possible explanation of clear air turbulence, the associated cirrus bands and wind streaks in the jet maxima. This model is supported by an analogy drawn with similar low-level phenomena studied by Woodcock and others. The model can explain distribution of these features in the horizontal by means of helical vortices which are dependent upon proper vertical wind shear and stability conditions. The observed multiple layers in the vertical are also explained by this model. It is believed that the reason why most of the clear-air turbulence is found near the jet-stream maxima is simply because the necessary shear and stability conditions associated with this turbulence are most frequently fulfilled in that region.


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