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Little information is available about the fluid behavior within the flocculation. The flow is turbulent and involves separation, reattachment, and high shear. Our team examines uses CFD simulation to predict velocity gradients, pressure losses and energy dissipation rate in the flocculation tank. By varying geometric configurations, and analyzing the resulting energy dissipation rates, the design of the flocculation tank can be optimized. Below is the energy dissipation rate for the a five baffle flocculator with a height to baffle spacing ratio of 2, and a clearance height to baffle spacing ratio of 1.
CFD Flocculation Tank Simulation goals and meeting minutes.
Research
Fall 2008 Research Paper
CFD Analysis of Flocculation Tank and Design RecommendationRecommendations
Fall 2008 Research Paper Sub-TopicsTurbulence model validation
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Validate which turbulence model to use. K-e realizable or K-w SST (all cases use air as the material)
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Examines the back-step example to determine the type of turbulence model to use in FLUENT.Gtheta computationGtheta computationGtheta computation
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Calculate Gθ and compare with the theoretical data (all cases used air as the material)
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Determines the Gθ value for various flocculation height (fh) to baffle spacing (bs) ratios using a UDF in FLUENT.Reynolds effects on energy dissipation rateReynolds effects on energy dissipation rate
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Analyze how energy dissipation rate is affected by Reynolds number (all cases used air as the material)
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Examines the affect of varying the velocity inlet from .1 m/s which corresponds to a Re=10,000 to 1 m/s (Re=100,000) and .01 m/s (Re=1,000).
Investigation of Turbulence Boundary Condition
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(missing data: the material used is unclear; note that the graphs are actually contours of turbulent kinetic energy)
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Investigation of Turbulence Boundary Condition
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Examines the affect of varying the turbulent inlet length scale for the optimal geometry.Uniform Energy Dissipation Rate Approach in Determining Optimal GeometryUniform Energy Dissipation Rate Approach in Determining Optimal Geometry
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Uniform Energy Dissipation Rate Approach in Determining Optimal Geometry (missing data: material used is unclear)
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Determines the optimal geometry for the flocculation tank by varying the fh/bs, and ch/bs ratios.Performance Parameter Approach in Determining Optimal GeometryPerformance Parameter Approach in Determining Optimal Geometry
Performance Parameter Approach in Determining Optimal Geometry
Determines the optimal fh/bs ratio for the flocculation tank height by comparing performance parameters which quantify flocculation collision potential.
Complementary Solution to Analysis of Energy Dissipation Distribution
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Examines the energy dissipation profile for varying fh/bs ratios, and how there is a local maximum for smaller fh/bs flocculation tanks.
Spring 2008 Research Topics
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Spring 2008 Documentations:
Other Information
- Resources
- CFD Presentations
- Links for other resources
- Flocculator with multiple baffles
- Automation of Mesh Creation
- Nondimensional Analysis
- Johannes Haarhoff and Jeremia J. van der Walt , J Water SRT - Aqua 50 (2001) 149-160 - - Towards optimal design parameters for around-the-end hydraulic flocculators.
- Relation of Shear Stresses to Floc Strength
- CFD Flocculation Tank Simulation Research
- CFD Fall 2008 Midtem Report
- CFD Spring 2008 Midterm Teach-in Presentation
- CFD Spring 2008 Final Report
- CFD Fall 2008 Midterm Teach-in Presentation
- CFD Fall 2008 Midtem Report
- CFD Fall 2008 Final Report
- CFD Flocculation Tank Next Semester Quiz