RTD (residence time distribution) predictions in large mechanically aerated lagoons.

Mechanically aerated lagoons (used for wastewater treatment in the pulp and paper industry) are typically very large (>500,000 m3) and have complex three-dimensional fluid flow patterns due to mechanical agitation, sludge accumulation, internal baffling, and confined inlet/outlet flow channels. RTD data is frequently used for evaluation of hydraulic performance, however, obtaining accurate data with traditional dye measurements is a difficult and time-consuming process. Moreover, the mixing impact of factors such as aerator positions, sludge accumulation, and internal baffles would require a significant and costly number of local field measurements. Recent applications of CFD to mechanically aerated lagoons have helped engineers to understand the complex flow interactions. This paper provides a practical method for the evaluation of the hydraulic performance of large mechanically aerated lagoons using CFD. A method, based on random-walk Lagrangian particle tracking, has been developed to significantly shorten the computational time needed to produce RTD curves for these lagoons. Comparison of the particle method with the more conventional scalar transport yields excellent results. These methods allow wastewater engineers to combine their existing knowledge and expertise with the established power of CFD. The results quantify the hydraulic impact of different inlet/outlet configurations, aerator configurations, influent flow rates, and bottom sludge profiles.     

Computational fluid dynamics modelling of hydraulics and sedimentation in process reactors during aeration tank settling.

Aeration tank settling is a control method allowing settling in the process tank during high hydraulic load. The control method is patented. Aeration tank settling has been applied in several waste water treatment plants using the present design of the process tanks. Some process tank designs have shown to be more effective than others. To improve the design of less effective plants, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling of hydraulics and sedimentation has been applied. This paper discusses the results at one particular plant experiencing problems with partly short-circuiting of the inlet and outlet causing a disruption of the sludge blanket at the outlet and thereby reducing the retention of sludge in the process tank. The model has allowed us to establish a clear picture of the problems arising at the plant during aeration tank settling. Secondly, several process tank design changes have been suggested and tested by means of computational fluid dynamics modelling. The most promising design changes have been found and reported.     

Critical modeling parameters identified for 3D CFD modeling of rectangular final settling tanks for New York City wastewater treatment plants

New York City Environmental Protection is in the process of incorporating biological nitrogen removal (BNR) in its wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) which entails operating the aeration tanks with higher levels of mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) than a conventional activated sludge process. The objective of this paper is to discuss two of the important parameters introduced in the 3D CFD model that has been developed by the City College of New York (CCNY) group: (a) the development of the 'discrete particle' measurement technique to carry out the fractionation of the solids in the final settling tank (FST) which has critical implications in the prediction of the effluent quality; and (b) the modification of the floc aggregation (K(A)) and floc break-up (K(B)) coefficients that are found in Parker's flocculation equation (Parker et al. 1970, 1971) used in the CFD model. The dependence of these parameters on the predictions of the CFD model will be illustrated with simulation results on one of the FSTs at the 26th Ward WWTP in Brooklyn, NY.     

胥浦活水泵站肘形进水流道流态分析及优化

胥浦活水泵站为一座长江边低扬程引水泵站,设计流量5.0 m3/s,最大扬程3.3 m。为适应其低扬程、小流量的特点,选用了全贯流潜水泵,在原胥浦节制闸底板上改建安装。为了保证在长江低水位时,水泵进水口完全淹没,进水流道型线平顺,流道内无涡带或其他不良流态,机组启动正常和运行稳定,利用三维数值建模、边界条件设置与三维湍流流动模拟,运用计算流体动力学CFD方法,进行进水流道内部流动数值模拟,多方案分析和比较进水流道内部流态、水泵进水条件和流道的水力损失。计算结果表明,进口尺寸1.1 m×3.4 m(高×宽),出口直径1.2 m的型线B方案进水条件好,流道水头损失小,满足水泵高效运行的要求。优化设计方案为泵站安全运行提供最优的设计进水流道型线和设计参数。     

Short circuiting in a denitrifying activated sludge tank.

The presence of a short circuit flow in a denitrifying activated sludge tank was identified and modelled. Tracer tests with pulse addition of lithium salt were used to investigate the hydraulics of the tank. The lithium concentration in the effluent was detected and residence time distribution (RTD) curves were generated. Hydraulic models based on completely stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) in series were generated from the RTD curves and the models were compared. The short circuit problem was successfully described using the Martin model, where the inflow is divided into two strands. Each strand was modelled as a number of CSTRs in series. At a normal flow the results of the model show that the tank has 12.8% dead volume, 85.8% main volume and 1.3% short circuiting volume. The inflow was divided into 91.9% entering the main volume and 8.1% entering the short circuiting volume. The mean velocity of the short circuiting stream was estimated to 0.4 m/s. At maximum flow the short circuiting stream was even larger and handled 24.3% of the flow. The short circuiting stream was identified in the upper part of the tank due to the position of the inlet and the outlet. The configuration of a tank including the use of baffles, the geometry of the inlet and mixer configuration should be considered carefully if short circuiting is to be avoided.     

特殊工况下抽水蓄能电站系统参数过渡过程分析

在抽水蓄能电站水力过渡过程数值模拟中,由于水泵-水轮机全特性曲线所具有的特殊性,使得尾水管进口最小压力在机组相继甩负荷工况下会大幅度降低,且时常会成为控制值。以一维刚性水锤及弹性水锤的特征线方法(MOC)为理论基础,结合某"一洞两机"布置形式的抽水蓄能电站工程实例,对该电站相继甩负荷工况下引水隧洞洞径及尾水岔管相对位置对过渡过程的影响进行了数值模拟。结果表明:在设置尾水调压室的情况下,拟通过改变引水隧洞洞径来调节尾水进口最小压力的措施是不经济的,引水隧洞的面积只需使其中的水流能够保持经济流速即可;在满足工程布置的前提下,应尽量减小尾水支管的长度,以保证输水发电系统的安全运行。     

折板消能竖井中的折板功能分析

折板是折板消能竖井的关键结构。本文以模型试验为依托,测试了折板消能竖井的水力特性,分析了不同典型位置折板的功能及布置准则,结果显示:首层折板的主要功能为承接和调节水流,使其平顺地跌向次层折板,首层折板与竖井入流口的间距是影响首层折板功能发挥的主要因素,该值过大易引起水流不能跌至首层折板或水流直接冲击中隔板等不利现象;中间层折板的主要功能为消能,折板间距是影响其功能发挥的主要因素,折板间距过大会影响消能效率,过小会影响过流能力;水下折板的主要功能为消能和除气,根据试验资料,当水下折板至少设置2~3层时,即可良好地满足其功能需求。     

Measurement of flow velocity profiles in tank structures using the prototype device OCM Pro LR

Generally, studies investigating the treatment efficiency of tank structures for storm water or waste water treatment observe pollutant flows in connection with conditions of hydraulic loading. Further investigations evaluate internal processes in tank structures using computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modelling or lab scale tests. As flow paths inside of tank structures have a considerable influence on the treatment efficiency, flow velocity profile (FVP) measurements can provide a possibility to calibrate CFD models and contribute to a better understanding of pollutant transport processes in these structures. This study focuses on tests carried out with the prototype FVP measurement device OCM Pro LR by NIVUS in a sedimentation tank with combined sewer overflow (CSO) situated in Petange, Luxembourg. The OCM Pro LR measurement system analyses the echo of ultrasonic signals of different flow depths to get a detailed FVP. A comparison of flow velocity measured by OCM Pro LR with a vane measurement showed good conformity. The FVPs measured by OCM Pro LR point out shortcut flows within the tank structure during CSO events, which could cause a reduction of the cleaning efficiency of the structure. The results prove the applicability of FVP measurements in large-scale structures.     

CFD (computational fluid dynamics) modelling of baffles for optimizing tropical waste stabilization pond systems.

CFD modelling of the incorporation of two baffles equally spaced along the longitudinal axis of the pond and with a length equal to 70% of the pond breadth, indicated a potential improvement in the removal of E. coli in a 4-day secondary facultative pond at 25degrees C from 5 x 10(6) per 100 ml in the effluent from a 1-day anaerobic pond to 4 x 10(4) per 100 ml; the reduction in an un-baffled pond was an order of magnitude less effective. The addition of a similarly baffled 4-day primary maturation pond reduced the effluent E. coli count to 340 per 100 ml; the reduction in an un-baffled series was two orders of magnitude less effective. Well designed baffles thus have considerable potential for reducing pond area requirements and hence costs in the hot tropics. These very promising results highlight the need for field studies on baffled pond systems to validate (or allow calibration) of the CFD model used in this study.     

UNITANK系统生物——化学联合除磷工艺中试研究

以诸暨市水样进行的中试研究表明,采用生物—化学联合除磷工艺对UNITANK系统进行常规改进得不偿失。但可以考虑采用生物—化学联合除磷工艺作为UNITANK系统应对TP冲击负荷的应急处理工艺。