A coupled hydrodynamic-biokinetic simulation of three-phase flow in an oxidation ditch using CFD

Coupling the hydrodynamic and biokinetic models, was done on a lab-scale oxidation ditch as the bioreactor of the activated sludge process and validated against the available experimental data. The simulation was carried out in three-phase, three-dimensional conditions with k- and Eulerian-Eulerian methods. A simplified activated sludge model No.1 (ASM1) has been added to transport terms to account for the biokinetic model. Rotatory speed for surface aerator was initially increased and its corresponding effects on solid volume fraction, dissolved oxygen, and velocity profile and values were observed. A 150 rpm increase in the rotational velocity resulted in 36% higher average liquid phase velocity for the one-aerator arrangement, which was 3% more than that of the two-aerator oxidation ditch. The 150% increase in the solid volume fraction led to a 10% reduction in the maximum liquid phase velocity. The effect of aerators number has been considered explicitly on baffle performance and liquid phase velocity profile. Finally, a new design for the aerator has been offered that provides an ordered flow field and optimal conditions for the performance of the baffle and oxidation process.

Automated summary

The study combined hydrodynamic and biokinetic models to simulate lab-scale oxidation ditch for activated sludge process, investigating the effects of varying rotational speed and solid volume fraction on liquid phase velocity. The findings indicated that increasing aerator speed and solid volume fraction can impact liquid phase velocity significantly.