Shape effect on optimal geometric conditions in surface aeration systems

The performance of surface aeration systems, among other key design variables, depends upon the geometric parameters of the aeration tank. Efficient performance and scale up or scale down of the experimental results of an aeration system requires optimal geometric conditions. Optimal conditions refer to the conditions of maximum oxygen transfer rate, which assists in scaling up or down the system for commercial utilization. The present work investigates the effect of an aeration tank’s shape (unbaffled circular, baffled circular and unbaffled square) on oxygen transfer. Present results demonstrate that there is no effect of shape on the optimal geometric conditions for rotor position and rotor dimensions. This experimentation shows that circular tanks (baffled or unbaffled) do not have optimal geometric conditions for liquid transfer, whereas the square cross-section tank shows a unique geometric shape to optimize oxygen transfer.     

Performance comparison of batch and continuous flow surface aeration systems

The oxygen transfer rate and the corresponding power requirement to operate the rotor are vital for design and scale-up of surface aerators. The aeration process can be analyzed in two ways such as batch and continuous systems. The process behaviors of batch and continuous flow systems are different from each other. The experimental and numerical results obtained through the batch systems cannot be relied on and applied for the designing of the continuous aeration tank. Based on the experimentation on batch and continuous type systems, the present work compares the performance of both the batch and continuous surface aeration systems in terms of their oxygen transfer capacity and power consumption. A simulation equation developed through experimentation has shown that continuous flow surface aeration systems are taking more energy than the batch systems. It has been found that batch systems are economical and better for the field application but not feasible where large quantity of wastewater is produced.     

Biological wastewater treatment system design Part I. Optimal synthesis

Common practice for design of biological wastewater treatment systems involves evaluation of certain fixed structure systems at several alternative conditions. This study considered optimization of both the structure and the design of the system using the structural parameter system synthesis technique. The system was composed of a trickling filter, an activated sludge aeration vessel, and a secondary clarifier. Results of optimal synthesis indicated that the activated sludge system was the most cost effective system for the specific set of process parameters employed. The same conclusion was reached by optimizing several systems with different structures.     

Power characteristics of surface aerators

BACKGROUND: The hydrodynamic conditions of a surface aeration system can be characterized by interpreting the power consumption of the impeller. Power consumed by aeration tanks depends on the geometries of the impeller and tank, which is generally denoted by the power number. RESULTS: The various geometric and dynamic parameters affecting the power number have been studied experimentally. Three flat‐bottomed cylindrical tanks of 1, 0.518 and 0.168 m² cross sectional area, fitted with six flat bladed impellers were used as baffled and unbaffled circular tanks. CONCLUSIONS: Scale‐up criteria have been developed for baffled surface aeration tanks. General correlations have been developed for both baffled and unbaffled aeration systems which are useful in the design of surface aeration tanks. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Kinetic model‐aided reactor design for peroxidase‐catalyzed removal of phenol in the presence of polyethylene glycol

A batch‐mixed reactor and a plug‐flow reactor were shown to have identical reaction kinetics for peroxidase‐catalyzed removal of phenol. Semi‐batch operation and step‐addition operation of the plug‐flow reactor with respect to hydrogen peroxide produced similar output. In the presence of polyethylene glycol, a continuous stirred tank reactor needed a long time to complete the reaction at the minimum enzyme dose. It was not necessary to stir the reaction mixture continuously during the reaction, hence polymerization and settling of products happened simultaneously. Recycling of the precipitates was not beneficial either for the removal efficiency or for the operation of a settling tank. A model previously developed to simulate the reaction in a batch reactor was used to predict the process in different types of reactor system. A plug‐flow reactor system is recommended for the reaction in the presence of polyethylene glycol; the system consisting of a small mixing tank followed by a tank in which reaction and settling occur simultaneously. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

The theoretical densimetric Froude number values with favourable effect on the clarifier performance

The performance of secondary clarifiers is strongly related to density effects in the sedimentation vessel. The upper level of the clarifier's chamber – once considered to be inactive at the sedimentation process – now appears to play an important role in solids removal. A fully developed three-layer flow phenomenon that develops in some cases is proved to promote settling. Therefore, investigation of flow patterns at different operative conditions was carried out. Experiments were conducted in a model of a circular, centre-feed settling tank with continuous operation. Ground hazelnut shells served as the settling matter; in one set of experiments only dye was used. All laboratory runs were filmed and analysed, qualitatively and quantitatively, by means of computer-aided visualisation. The results of the study showed that a determining factor of the conditions favourable for formation of a fully developed three-layer flow is the theoretical densimetric Froude number. If the hydraulic and solid loadings are soundly chosen in accordance with these findings, the clarifier performance can be evidently improved.     

计算流体力学在二沉池改造中的应用

利用计算流体力学对污水处理厂二沉池内流场进行了数值模拟,得到二沉池内流场速率分布规律,进而确定流态临界位置水流速率,并将其作为标准速率。基于此,在二沉池内对挡板结构进行改造。改造后二沉池的模拟计算结果表明,二沉池在保证出水水质的情况下很好地满足了增大处理量的要求。     

Influence of flow field on sedimentation efficiency in a circular settling tank with peripheral inflow and central effluent

The paper presents an experimental study of suspension flow patterns and velocity field inside a circular settling tank with continuous operation. Research was focused on the impact of a specific flow pattern on the sedimentation efficiency of the prototype settling tank. The latter differed from a common circular settling tank in that it was peripherally fed and had the central draw-off. Experiment was carried out on a settling tank section made of plexiglass and represented a radial slice of a prototype settling tank. The flow field and local suspension concentration was determined by computer-aided visualization. Sedimentation efficiency was assessed relatively by comparison of the amount of settled particles (sludge height measurements) between different types of flow in a certain time period of the settling tank operation. Results showed that there were two types of flow in the settling tank that were initiated by a horizontal or vertical inflow from the distribution ring. The type of inflow (horizontal or vertical) was a function of the suspension height in the settling tank. Significant differences in sedimentation efficiency were observed between both types of flow, particularly at lower inlet suspension concentrations. Horizontal inflow proved to be less efficient in terms of settling.     

基于旋转浮阀的复合曝气器在曝气池中的应用及CFD模拟

基于气体通过阀片后能在阀盖四周形成旋转流场的特点,本文将旋转浮阀应用于曝气池中,以提高其充氧性能。在旋转浮阀四周均匀排布6个气泡石,即旋转浮阀-气泡石复合曝气器;在长宽高为800mm×600mm×910mm的透明有机玻璃池内,以空气-清水为体系,进行曝气实验。为了考察旋转浮阀形成的旋转流场对曝气的影响,以塔内件领域常见的F1浮阀以及气泡石为基准进行实验比较。结果表明,与F1浮阀-气泡石复合曝气器相比,旋转浮阀-气泡石复合曝气器的中心测量点与边界测量点的溶解氧浓度更接近,充氧均匀性指数也更小,说明了旋转浮阀能促进气泡分布均匀,减少传质死区。相比于F1浮阀-气泡石复合曝气器,旋转浮阀气泡石复合曝气器提高了氧总传质系数、氧传质速率、氧传质效率和曝气效率;相比于气泡石曝气器,旋转浮阀-气泡石复合曝气器提高了氧总传质系数、氧传质速率,但降低了氧传质效率和曝气效率。本文还利用CFD模拟流场分布,解释了旋转流场的产生及其提高曝气充氧能力的原因。     

Analysis and simulation of the sludge profile dynamics in a full‐scale clarifier

A one‐dimensional clarifier model was assessed for its capability to describe dynamic full‐scale sludge concentration profiles by using the settling properties calibrated with batch settling curve data collected by a SettloMeter^®. These sludge concentration profiles and batch settling tests formed part of a detailed one‐month measuring campaign on a full‐scale wastewater treatment plant; the measurements showed a daily variation in settling properties. Using the settling properties obtained from batch settling tests and a one‐dimensional model without dispersion, the dynamics of the full‐scale clarifier were analysed and the need for dispersion clearly shown. The parameters of the dispersion model were estimated from the full‐scale sludge concentration profiles. The settling properties of activated sludge can be automatically determined by fitting the model to the on‐line batch settling curve measurements and are needed as input to the one‐dimensional model. This model can therefore be used for operation and control. The dispersion model parameters have to be determined from dynamic sludge concentration profiles but are assumed to be constant for a specific clarifier. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Numerical investigation of continuous processes for catalytic hydrogenation of nitrile butadiene rubber

Dynamic behavior of continuous processes was numerically investigated for the catalytic hydrogenation of nitrile butadiene rubber, based on developed models, which took into account the coupling between kinetics and mass transfer. The evolution of hydrogenation reaction trajectories in both cases were analyzed. It is proposed that the coupling behavior between the catalytic hydrogenation and mass transfer was completely determined by the ability of the catalyst in activating hydrogen, carbon‐carbon double bond loading level and the relative capacity of reaction to mass transfer as well as the residence time in the reactor. Four dimensionless parameters were derived to characterize these aspects. The effects of operation conditions on the hydrogenation processes were investigated. The application of the ideal flow models to non‐ideal flows was in addition discussed. It is suggested that the optimal reactor for such a hydrogenation system would be a plug flow reactor with an instantaneous well‐mixing component in the inlet of it, and a reasonable approach to the proposed optimal reactor should be with the flow behavior of at least three continuous stirred tank reactors in series. Further research directions are suggested.     

活性污泥沉降速率模型的研究进展

活性污泥沉降速率是二沉池模型的核心内容,以固体通量理论为基础的沉降速率模型主要包括幂函数模型、指数模型、Cho模型、双指数模型和颗粒分类沉降模型。在二沉池模拟中,指数模型和双指数模型较为实用且应用较多。指数模型的参数估计可通过模型参数与SVI关联实现,而双指数模型的参数则需将批沉降试验与最优化技术相结合才能确定。对活性污泥沉降速率模型的进一步研究工作提出展望。     

Theoretical and experimental study of sedimentation in vertical flow tanks

Settling characteristics of four different suspensions were measured by batch settling tests (glass spheres in glycerol-water mixtures and CaCO₃) and by continuous settling test in a bench-scale vertical flow tank (activated sludge and kaolin in water), including the measurement of solids concentrations inside the tank. The characteristics could be described by different correlation functions which now include all the information about the settling behaviour of ideal suspensions. Continuous settling experiments in a bench-scale vertical flow tank were carried out with the same four material systems. These results correspond with sufficient accuracy to those from the theory of limiting flux if the settling characteristics determined earlier are considered.     

微孔曝气最优气泡群的确定方法

综合考虑气泡尺寸、气泡分布、气泡生命周期等对微孔曝气水体DO的影响效果,存在着使曝气效果达到最佳的最优气泡群。本研究提出了微孔曝气最优气泡群的确定方法,并采用最大气泡群常数终值来表征该气泡群。试验结果表明,采用最优气泡群与气泡群常数终值确定的最优曝气器及最优曝气量与清水曝气试验的结果相吻合,同时与采用传统曝气系统性能指标评价的结论也一致。     

MODELING DISSOLVED OXYGEN CONCENTRATION FOR OPTIMIZING AERATION SYSTEMS AND REDUCING OXYGEN CONSUMPTION IN ACTIVATED SLUDGE PROCESSES: A REVIEW

Aeration accounts for 30% to 75% of the total energy consumption in activated sludge processes (ASPs). This percentage can be significantly reduced since most aeration systems are not optimized for unsteady influent flow rates and oxygen requirements. Reconfiguration, replacement, and the application of optimal dissolved oxygen (DO) control strategies for current aeration systems within the facility and model-based optimization of DO in wastewater treatment plants can lead to impressive increased energy efficiency and savings and improved stability of the system. These measures increase the operational lifetime of the aeration equipment and improve effluent and activated sludge quality. This article provides a review of two critical nonlinear time-varying parameters that characterize the DO concentration dynamics in an ASP: the oxygen uptake rate (OUR), related to microorganism activity, and the volumetric oxygen mass transfer function, represented by the oxygen transfer rate (OTR). Second, the physico-chemical, geometric, and dynamic factors and aerator type affecting the oxygen mass transfer coefficient (K _L a) are thoroughly discussed. The article concludes with model-based optimization, explaining the usefulness of accurate DO models in wastewater treatment, and provides examples for plant-wide or water chain cycle–focused optimizations.     

Nitrification by immobilized cells in a micro‐ecological life support system using packed‐bed bioreactors: an engineering study

The nitrifying component of a micro‐ecological life support system alternative (MELISSA) based on microorganisms and higher plants was studied. The MELISSA system consists of an interconnected loop of bioreactors to allow the recycling of the organic wastes generated in a closed environment. Conversion of ammonia into nitrates in such a system was improved by selection of microorganisms, immobilization techniques, reactor type and operation conditions. An axenic mixed culture of Nitrosomonas europaea and Nitrobacter winogradskyi, immobilized by surface attachment on polystyrene beads, was used for nitrification in packed‐bed reactors at both bench and pilot scale. Hydrodynamics, mass transfer and nitrification capacity of the reactors were analysed. Mixing and mass transfer rate were enhanced by recirculation of the liquid phase and aeration flow‐rate, achieving a liquid flow distribution close to a well‐mixed tank and without oxygen limitation for standard operational conditions of the nitrifying unit. Ammonium conversion ranged from 95 to 100% when the oxygen concentration was maintained above 80% of saturation. The maximum surface removal rates were measured as 1.91 gN‐NH₄⁺ m^?2 day^?1 at pilot scale and 1.77 gN‐NH₄⁺ m^?2 day^?1 at bench scale. Successful scale‐up of a packed‐bed bioreactor has been carried out. Good stability and reproducibility were observed for more than 400 days. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Modellierung und Simulation von Strömungen und biologischen Reaktionen innerhalb eines Belebtschlammbeckens

With the aim to increase the efficiency of the aeration tanks of municipal wastewater treatment plants, the implementation of a biological model system (ASM1) into the CFD code ANSYS CFX® is presented for modeling a full‐scale aeration tank and verified with experimental data. Taking into account the biological processes, hydrodynamics and gas‐liquid mass transfer, simulations were performed and compared to experimental concentration profiles for ammonium and nitrate. The assumptions made are explained in detail. While the simulated ammonium concentration profile is in good agreement with the measured values, deviations occur for the nitrate profile. However, the CFD simulations exceed the prediction accuracy of conventional 0D simulation software.     

Multiscale modelling of mass transfer in gas jets and bubble plumes

The injection of high‐speed gas streams into liquids is common in many industrial applications, such as sparging in multiphase reactors and contacting in mass transfer devices. Modelling the fluid dynamics and associated heat and mass transfer processes in such a system is complex because it involves many governing scales and drastic changes in physical properties. In this study, one formulation of a multiscale computational fluid dynamics model is proposed to simulate the fluid dynamics and mass transfer in such systems. The model uses volume‐of‐fluid interface capturing in regions where high mesh resolution can be attained and the drift‐flux or mixture model approximation in regions where mesh resolution is too low to directly resolve interface dynamics. The model was developed to provide a tunable, automatic transition between the two modelling approaches for both fluid dynamics and mass transfer predictions. The approach was validated through a comparison with results from two published studies. In the first case, the implementation of the drift‐flux model was validated through the simulation of a dispersed gas bubble plume injected into a cylindrical tank. In the second case, the fluid dynamics and mass transfer predictions were compared to results from an experimental study involving the horizontal injection of air into a rectangular tank filled with water for the application of aeration. The results show that the modelling approach can provide a good prediction of the experimental data using only limited fitting of empirical parameters, making it applicable to a broad range of other applications.     

污水好氧生物处理工艺中供气系统的优化与节能分析

对于污水好氧生物处理技术而言,供气系统包括曝气方式/装置、气体输送管线、曝气器(气体释放头)、反应器/反应池以及结合运行程序的监控仪表等,以节能降耗作为考察目标,本文全面分析了供气系统中的常见曝气方式的适用范围、影响因素、优化控制与节能途径.以鼓风曝气方式为主要考察对象,分析了空气从风机到曝气池释放的全过程耗能及节能途...     

Toward Understanding of Two‐Phase Eccentric Helical Reactor Performance

Mass transfer investigations in a two‐phase gas‐liquid Couette‐Taylor flow (CTF) reactor and a numerical flow simulation are reported. The CTF reactor is characterized by high values of the mass transfer parameters. Previous mass transfer investigations have yielded high values of the volumetric mass transfer coefficients (of the order of 10^–1 s^–1) and the specific interfacial area, compared to those obtained in a stirred tank (10³ m² m^–3). In order to intensify mass transfer in the CTF reactor, an eccentric rotor (rotating inner cylinder) was used. In the eccentric annulus with rotating inner cylinder, due to frequent variation of the hydrodynamic flow field parameters, nonlinear hydrodynamic conditions occurred. These conditions can influence the rate of mass transfer. The experimental results of benzaldehyde oxidation in an eccentric CTF reactor confirmed an increase in mass transfer, as against a concentric CTF reactor. Numerical simulation of the Couette‐Taylor (helical) flow was performed in a concentric and in an eccentric annulus. Calculation of parameters such as velocity, static pressure, kinetic energy and energy dissipation rate revealed a significant effect of gap eccentricity on the flow behavior.