Comparison of Computation Fluid Dynamics Simulation against Tracer Data from a Scale Model and Full-Sized Waste Stabilization Pond
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 134, Issue 10
Abstract
The use of computation fluid dynamics (CFD) for waste stabilization pond design is becoming increasingly common but there is a large gap in the literature with regard to validating CFD pond models against experimental flow data. This paper assesses a CFD model against tracer studies undertaken on a full-sized field pond and then on a 1:5 scale model of the same pond operated under controlled conditions in the laboratory. While the CFD tracer simulation had some discrepancies with the field data, comparison to the laboratory model data was excellent. The issue is, therefore, not in the way the model solves the problem, for example, the choice of turbulence model or differencing scheme, but rather with how accurately the physical conditions in the field are defined. Extensive survey of the sludge layer and transient input of changing flow rates, wind velocities, and temperature could allow closer alignment of CFD simulations to field data. However, in the practical application of CFD where a modification such as baffle installation results in a large change, then a simple pragmatic model, while not exact, can still provide valuable design insight.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
Aldana, G., Lloyd, B., Guganesharajah, K., and Bracho, N. (2005). “The development and calibration of a physical model to assist in optimising the hydraulic performance and design of maturation ponds.” Water Sci. Technol., 51(12), 173–181.
Banda, C., Sleigh, P., and Mara, D. (2006a). “CFD-based design of waste stabilization ponds: Significance of wind velocity.” Proc., 7th IWA Specialist Group Conf. on Waste Stabilization Ponds, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand.
Banda, C., Sleigh, P., and Mara, D. (2006b). “3D CFD modeling of E. coli removal in baffled primary facultative ponds: Classical design optimization.” Proc., 7th IWA Specialist Group Conf. on Waste Stabilization Ponds, Asian Institute of Technology Bangkok, Thailand.
Karteris, A., Papadopoulos, A., and Balafoutas, G. (2005). “Modeling the temperature pattern of a covered anaerobic pond with computational fluid dynamics.” Water, Air, Soil Pollut., 162(1–4), 107–125.
Levenspiel, O. (1972). Chemical reaction engineering, Wiley, New York.
Mangelson, K., and Watters, G. (1972). “Treatment efficiency of waste stabilization ponds.” J. Sanit. Engrg. Div., 98(2), 407–425.
Persson, J. (2000). “The hydraulic performance of ponds of various layouts.” Urban Water, 2(3), 243–250.
Salter, H. (1999). “Enhancing the pathogen removal performance of tertiary lagoons.” Doctorate thesis, Centre for Environmental Health Engineering, Univ. of Surrey, Guildford, U.K.
Salter, H., Ta, C., Ouki, S., and Williams, S. (2000). “Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamic modeling of a facultative lagoon.” Water Sci. Technol., 42(10–11), 335–342.
Shilton, A. (2000). “Potential application of computational fluid dynamics to pond design.” Water Sci. Technol., 42(10–11), 327–334.
Shilton, A. (2001). “Studies into the hydraulics of waste stabilization ponds.” Doctoral thesis, Massey Univ., Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Shilton, A., Glynn, D., and Phelps, P. (1999). “An inside look—The potential of CFD technology.” Water 21, July/August, 37–38.
Shilton, A., and Harrison, J. (2003a). “Development of guidelines for improved hydraulic design of waste stabilization ponds.” Water Sci. Technol., 48(2), 173–180.
Shilton, A., and Harrison, J. (2003b). “Integration of coliform decay within a CFD model of a waste stabilization pond.” Water Sci. Technol., 48(2), 205–210.
Shilton, A., and Mara, D. (2005). “CFD modeling of baffles for optimizing tropical waste stabilization pond systems.” Water Sci. Technol., 51(12), 103–106.
Sweeney, D., Cromar, N., Nixon, J., Ta, C., and Fallowfield, H. (2003). “The spatial significance of water quality indicators in waste stabilization ponds—Limitations of residence time distribution analysis in predicting treatment efficiency.” Water Sci. Technol., 48(2), 211–218.
Sweeney, D., Nixon, J., Cromar, N., and Fallowfield, H. (2005). “Profiling and modeling of thermal changes in a large waste stabilization pond.” Water Sci. Technol., 51(12), 163–172.
Ta, T. (1997). “Application of computational fluid dynamics to water industry.” Proc., Fluent Users Conf., Manchester, U.K.
Ta, T. (1999). “Current CFD tool for water and waste water treatment processes.” Proc., 2nd Int. Symp. on Computation Technology (CFD) for Fluid/Thermal/Chemical Systems and Industrial Applications, ASME PVP Division Conf., Boston.
Vega, G., Pena, M., Ramirez, C., and Mara, D. (2003). “Application of CFD modeling to study the hydrodynamics of various anaerobic pond configurations.” Water Sci. Technol., 48(2), 163–171.
Versteeg, H., and Malalasekera, W. (1995). An introduction to computational fluid dynamics—The finite volume method, Longman Scientific & Technical, New York.
Wood, M. (1997). “Development of computational fluid dynamic models for the design of waste stabilization ponds.” Doctorate thesis, Department of Chemical Engineering, Univ. of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Wood, M., Greenfield, P., Howes, T., Johns, M., and Keller, J. (1995). “Computational fluid dynamic modeling of wastewater ponds to improve design.” Water Sci. Technol., 31(12), 111—118.
Wood, M., Howes, T., Keller, J., and Johns, M. (1998). “Two-dimensional computational fluid dynamic models for waste stabilization ponds.” Water Res., 32(3), 958–963.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 134 • Issue 10 • October 2008
Pages: 845 - 850
Copyright
© 2008 ASCE.
History
Received: Dec 5, 2006
Accepted: Feb 25, 2008
Published online: Oct 1, 2008
Published in print: Oct 2008
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.