Large Eddy Simulation of Flow and Tracer Transport in Multichamber Ozone Contactors
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 136, Issue 1
Abstract
Three-dimensional numerical analyses of flow and transport characteristics in two representative multichamber ozone contactor models with different chamber width were conducted using large eddy simulation (LES). Both time-averaged and instantaneous flow patterns suggest that the flow is characterized by the occurrence of large turbulent structures leading to extensive short-circuiting between chambers and internal recirculation inside the chambers. The flow is also found to be highly three-dimensional, as secondary vortices and recirculation zones develop. The simulation results further suggest that the hydrodynamics in ozone contactors can be improved by reducing the chamber width. The results of the LES are qualitatively verified using previously reported tracer test results obtained from laboratory experiments. The LES technique, applied to the ozone contactor flow and transport of a tracer for the first time, is expected to serve as a powerful tool for existing reactor flow diagnosis, reactor retrofitting as well as for new reactor design.
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Acknowledgments
The research is partially funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Cooperative Agreement Nos. UNSPECIFIEDCR-83327701 and UNSPECIFIED834118). Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. The scientific views expressed are solely those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of USEPA. We thank the reviewers of the original manuscript for their valuable comments, which helped improving this paper.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 136 • Issue 1 • January 2010
Pages: 22 - 31
Copyright
© 2010 ASCE.
History
Received: Dec 30, 2008
Accepted: Jun 10, 2009
Published online: Jun 17, 2009
Published in print: Jan 2010
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