Overview
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h1. CFD Simulation h2. Overview {float:right|border=2px solid black} [!hb4.png|width=400px!|performance parameters analysis in 2D - simulation experiments] h6. Contours of turbulence energy dissipation rate ε (m²/s³) (5 baffles, flocculator height/width=4) {float} |
Computational
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fluid
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dynamics
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(CFD)
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is
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a
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branch
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of
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fluid
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mechanics
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that
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uses
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numerical
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methods
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and
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algorithms
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to
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solve
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the
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governing
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equations
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of
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fluid
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flow
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problems
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and
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obtain
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a
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detailed
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numerical
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description
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of
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the
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complete
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flow
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field
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of
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interest.
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AguaClara
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small-scale
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water
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treatment
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plants
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are
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composed
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of
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gravity
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powered
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unit
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processes.
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The
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relative
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inflexibility
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of
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energy
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input
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into
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the
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water
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in
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gravity
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powered
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systems
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requires
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a better
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studied
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design,
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as
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opposed
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to
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conventional
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electric-powered,
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mechanically
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driven
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treatment
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plants.
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However,
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few
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guidelines
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are
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available
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for
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designing
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gravity
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powered
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systems.
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The
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objective
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of
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the CFD
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simulation
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team
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is
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to
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build
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a
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stable
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and
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reliable
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CFD
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model
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(using
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commercial
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CFD
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package
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FLUENT
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)
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to
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simulate
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and
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analyze
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the
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flow
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in
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different
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parts
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of
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AguaClara
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treatment
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plants
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and
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thus
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to
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provide
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guidelines
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for
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the
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geometry
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and
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operation
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towards
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better
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performance
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and
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lower
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costs.
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So
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far,
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the
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results
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of
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CFD
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simulations have
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already
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facilitated
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our
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understanding
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of
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hydraulic
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flocculation
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tanks and
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led
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to
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some
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conclusions
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that
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can
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be
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incorporated
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in
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our
...
design.
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Stay up-to-date on this project by checking the goals and meeting minutes.
Research
Flocculation Tank Simulation: Spring 2009 research topics on performance parameter analysis and 3D simulation
2D Flocculation Tank Simulation: Fall 2009 research on flocculation tank modeling and performance analysis
Spring 2010 CFD Research: Spring 2010 research to validate Fluent Simulations of the flocculator with experimental flocculator measurements and measurements of headloss from the Agalteca flocculator.
Implications for Design
Flocculator height/width ratio: A clear trend of flocculation performance was observed with various flocculator height/channel width ratios
Flocculator clearance height: There is no need to make the clearance height larger than flocculation channel width, making it possible to handle higher flow rates with the same channel width