Flow Pattern Visualization in a Mimic Anaerobic Digester: Experimental and Computational Studies

Author

Muthanna S. Vesvikar
R. Varma
K. Karim
M. (Muthanna) H. Al-Dahhan, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow

Abstract

Advanced Non-Invasive Experiments Like Computer Automated Radioactive Particle Tracking and Computed Tomography Along with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Simulations Were Performed in Mimic Anaerobic Digesters to Visualize their Flow Pattern and Obtain Hydrodynamic Parameters. the Mixing in the Digester Was Provided by Sparging Gas at Three Different Flow Rates. the Simulation Results in Terms of overall Flow Pattern, Location of Circulation Cells and Stagnant Regions, Trends of Liquid Velocity Profiles, and Volume of Dead Zones Agree Reasonably Well with the Experimental Data. CFD Simulations Were Also Performed on Different Digester Configurations. the Effects of Changing Draft Tube Size, Clearance, and Shape of the Tank Bottoms Were Calculated to Evaluate the Effect of Digester Design on its Flow Pattern. Changing the Draft Tube Clearance and Height Had No Influence on the Flow Pattern or Dead Regions Volume. However Increasing the Draft Tube Diameter or Incorporating a Conical Bottom Design Helped in Reducing the Volume of the Dead Zones as Compared to a Flat Bottom Digester. the Simulations Showed that the Gas Flow Rate Sparged by a Single Point (0.5 Cm Diameter) Sparger Does Not Have Appreciable Effect on the Flow Pattern of the Digesters. © 2005 IWA Publishing and the Authors.

Recommended Citation

M. S. Vesvikar et al., "Flow Pattern Visualization in a Mimic Anaerobic Digester: Experimental and Computational Studies," Water Science and Technology, vol. 52, no. 1 thru 2, pp. 537 - 543, IWA Publishing, Jan 2005.

The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2005.0564

Department(s)

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Anaerobic digester; Computational fluid dynamics; Computer automated radioactive particle tracking; Computer tomography; Flow pattern

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0273-1223

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Final Version

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2023 The Authors, All rights reserved.

Creative Commons Licensing

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Publication Date

01 Jan 2005

PubMed ID

16180475