| Abstract: | The equations governing unsteady flows in secondary settling tanks, a component of the wastewater treatment process, are analysed using the finite element method. The model corresponding to such liquid–solid flows is highly non‐linear and coupled, and incorporates the effects of turbulence. The results of numerical simulations are compared against experimental results from tests on full‐scale settling tanks, and against results obtained from a finite difference code based on an idealized one‐dimensional flux theory. The results compare well with the test results, over the range of applicability of the model. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
