Optimization of Residence Time Distribution in Small Water Treatment Systems
Abstract
Many small public water treatment facilities lack the necessary financial and professional resources to meet standard disinfection requirements. The objective of the presented case studies is to the highlight the capabilities of computational fluid dynamics for improving hydraulic disinfection efficiency, as indicated by the baffling factor in small contact tank systems. In the first case study, the unmodified tank exhibits significant short-circuiting as the flow enters the tank, follows the perimeter of the tank briefly, and exits the tank. This observation is further validated by the residence time distribution curve. In the second case study, flow enters the tanks through an elevated piping inlet through the bottom of each tank carrying a significant amount of momentum as a jet. Whereas a single tank has a baffle factor of only 0.2, each additional tank added in the series provides an incremental increase in the total system baffle factor.
Recommended Citation
J. M. Wilson and S. K. Venayagamoorthy, "Optimization of Residence Time Distribution in Small Water Treatment Systems," Computational Fluid Dynamics Applications in Water Wastewater and Stormwater Treatment, pp. 123 - 130, American Society of Civil Engineers, Jan 2019.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784415313.ch15
Department(s)
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
International Standard Book Number (ISBN)
978-078441531-3;978-078448221-6
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2025 American Socety of Civil Engineers, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Jan 2019
