Modelling and characterization of primary settlers in view of whole plant and resource recovery modelling

Characterization and modelling of primary settlers have been neglected pretty much to date. However, whole plant and resource recovery modelling requires primary settler model development, as current models lack detail in describing the dynamics and the diversity of the removal process for different particulate fractions. This paper focuses on the improved modelling and experimental characterization of primary settlers. First, a new modelling concept based on particle settling velocity distribution is proposed which is then applied for the development of an improved primary settler model as well as for its characterization under addition of chemicals (chemically enhanced primary treatment, CEPT). This model is compared to two existing simple primary settler models (Otterpohl and Freund; Lessard and Beck), showing to be better than the first one and statistically comparable to the second one, but with easier calibration thanks to the ease with which wastewater characteristics can be translated into model parameters. Second, the changes in the activated sludge model (ASM)-based chemical oxygen demand fractionation between inlet and outlet induced by primary settling is investigated, showing that typical wastewater fractions are modified by primary treatment. As they clearly impact the downstream processes, both model improvements demonstrate the need for more detailed primary settler models in view of whole plant modelling.

Methodology of Calculation the Terminal Settling Velocity Distribution of Irregular Particles for High Values of the Reynold’s Number/Metodologia Wyliczania Rozkładu Granicznej Prędkości Opadania Ziaren Nieregularnych Dla Wysokich Wartości Liczb Reynoldsa

Settling velocity of particles, which is the main parameter of jig separation, is affected by physical (density) and the geometrical properties (size and shape) of particles. The authors worked out a calculation algorithm of particles settling velocity distribution for irregular particles assuming that the density of particles, their size and shape constitute independent random variables of fixed distributions. Applying theorems of probability, concerning distributions function of random variables, the authors present general formula of probability density function of settling velocity irregular particles for the turbulent motion. The distributions of settling velocity of irregular particles were calculated utilizing industrial sample. The measurements were executed and the histograms of distributions of volume and dynamic shape coefficient, were drawn. The separation accuracy was measured by the change of process imperfection of irregular particles in relation to spherical ones, resulting from the distribution of particles settling velocity.

METHODOLOGY OF CALCULATION THE TERMINAL SETTLING VELOCITY DISTRIBUTION OF SPHERICAL PARTICLES FOR HIGH VALUES OF THE REYNOLD’S NUMBER

The particle settling velocity is the feature of separation in such processes as flowing classification and jigging. It characterizes material forwarded to the separation process and belongs to the so-called complex features because it is the function of particle density and size. i.e. the function of two simple features. The affiliation to a given subset is determined by the values of two properties and the distribution of such feature in a sample is the function of distributions of particle density and size. The knowledge about distribution of particle settling velocity in jigging process is as much important factor as knowledge about particle size distribution in screening or particle density distribution in dense media beneficiation. The paper will present a method of determining the distribution of settling velocity in the sample of spherical particles for the turbulent particle motion in which the settling velocity is expressed by the Newton formula. Because it depends on density and size of particle which are random variable of certain distributions, the settling velocity is a random variable. Applying theorems of probability, concerning distributions function of random variables, the authors present general formula of probability density function of settling velocity for the turbulent motion and particularly calculate probability density function for Weibull’s forms of frequency functions of particle size and density. Distribution of settling velocity will calculate numerically and perform in graphical form. The paper presents the simulation of calculation of settling velocity distribution on the basis of real distributions of density and projective diameter of particles assuming that particles are spherical.

Characterisation of retention tank water quality: particle settling velocity distribution and retention time

Retention tanks (RTs) are commonly used to reduce combined sewer overflows, management of which is an important way of reducing the impacts of urban development on receiving waters. However, overflow characteristics and the processes affecting them are not yet fully understood. In a context of integrated urban wastewater systems, the management of RTs is mainly done to satisfy hydraulic constraints even if the idea behind such structures is to limit the discharge of pollutants to the environment. This study reports new insights in the settling processes and the pollutant behaviour occurring in an off-line RT. The authors first focus on the total suspended solids (TSS) and the total chemical oxygen demand (CODt) dynamics at the inlet and the outlet of a RT. Secondly, they focus on the possible relationship between the variation of the particle settling velocity distribution of particles and the TSS concentration dynamics. Finally, analyses of the TSS and CODt concentration evolution during tank emptying give information on the interaction between wastewater retention time and the settling performance.

Modelling pathogen fate in stormwaters by a particle–pathogen interaction model using population balances

Stormwater is polluted by various contaminants affecting the quality of receiving water bodies. Pathogens are one of these contaminants, which have a critical effect on water use in rivers. Increasing the retention time of water in stormwater basins can lead to reduced loads of pathogens released to the rivers. In this paper a model describing the behaviour of pathogens in stormwater basins is presented including different fate processes such as decay, adsorption/desorption, settling and solar disinfection. By considering the settling velocity distribution of particles and a layered approach, this model is able to create a light intensity, and particle and pathogen concentration profile along the water depth in the basin. A strong effect of solar disinfection is discerned. The model has been used to evaluate pathogen removal efficiencies in stormwater basins. It includes a population of particle classes characterized by a distribution of settling velocities in order to be able to reproduce stormwater quality and treatment in a realistic way.