Computational Fluid Dynamics
Flocculation Tank 3D Simulation
Overview
Flocculation Tank 3D Simulation team works on building a stable and reliable numerical model to simulate the flow inside the hydraulic flocculation tank, and providing well-studied guidelines for design, construction and operation of the flocculation tank.
Gravity powered hydraulic flocculator is used by AguaClara small-scale water treatment plants due to their low cost, inherent simplicity and robust operation. However, its inflexibility of energy input into the water relative to mechanical flocculators requires well studied design based on the understanding of the flow field and relevant performance parameters.
An appropriate CFD simulation can provide detailed numerical solutions for all the variables in the flow field, and by varying parameters such as tank geometry, flow conditions, we could obtain predictions of each of the flow variables and thus optimize the design towards lower cost and better performance.
CFD Flocculation Tank 3D Simulation goals and meeting minutes.
Research
Fall 2008
Preliminary 3D CFD simulations of a Hydraulic Flocculation Tank with a Single Baffle
- Fact-finding tests to determine the scope and approach of further research;
- Investigate 3D model's difficulty in converging
- Compare the assumption and validity of 2D and 3D models