Random packing material in disinfection contactors: Effects on baffling and energy loss

Abstract

This study investigates the potential improvement in the hydraulic disinfection efficiency and the possible energy loss as a result of the presence of random packing material (RPM) in a laboratory-scale chlorine contactor. Tracer tests were conducted on a 55-gal drum tank filled with RPM in varying amounts in different configurations to measure the efficiency of each setup in terms of baffling factor (BF). The bulk pressure drop was measured to determine the energy loss for each configuration. The results of this study show that securing RPM near the inlet, in any amount, improves the BF by 300% to more than 900%. The amount of RPM begins to have an impact at or above an inlet jet Reynolds number of $27,700. Also, changes in head loss due to the presence of RPM (in any amount, configuration, and/or flow rate) were generally considered to be negligible.