A coupled hydrodynamic‐biokinetic simulation of three‐phase flow in an oxidation ditch using CFD

Abstract

Coupling the hydrodynamic and biokinetic models, was done on a lab-scale oxidation ditch as the bioreactor of the activated sludge process and validated against the available experimental data. The simulation was carried out in three-phase, three-dimensional conditions with k-є and Eulerian-Eulerian methods. A simplified activated sludge model No.1 (ASM1) has been added to transport terms to account for the biokinetic model. Rotatory speed for surface aerator was initially increased and its corresponding effects on solid volume fraction, dissolved oxygen, and velocity profile and values were observed. A 150 rpm increase in the rotational velocity resulted in 36% higher average liquid phase velocity for the one-aerator arrangement, which was 3% more than that of the two-aerator oxidation ditch. The 150% increase in the solid volume fraction led to a 10% reduction in the maximum liquid phase velocity. The effect of aerators number has been considered explicitly on baffle performance and liquid phase velocity profile. Finally, a new design for the aerator has been offered that provides an ordered flow field and optimal conditions for the performance of the baffle and oxidation process.

Issue Highlights

“…In addition to analyzing the current performance of the aeration unit, other scenarios for the improvement of the process are also suggested. [2] CFD investigation of pelletization effect on co-firing coal with wheat straw Adel Mohammed Redha, Anthony Lau, Maria Holuszko, Ali Vakil, Shahab Sokhansanj Biomass co-firing in existing coal-fired power plants presents a greener alternative to coal. This research studies the effect of biomass densification on the co-firing of wheat straw with coal using a three-dimensional CFD model.…”