Using Hydraulic Modeling With Solar Energy To Optimize The Chlorine Contact Tanks

Abstract

Traditionally, contact time of a chlorine contact tank (CCT) in waster water treatment plants is determined by performing field tracer tests. This paper presents an alternative approach by using computational fluids dynamics (CFD) modeling to predict the contact time. This method is known as numerical tracer testing. Numerical tracer testing was used for determining the contact time at the Al-Dewanyia Wastewater Treatment Plant in Al-Dewanyia The CCT is of 1600 m3 volume, five-pass baffled tank capable of handling up to 1000 m3/ hr . CFD results were compared to field data obtained by a step-feed field tracer tests using Rhodamine-wt. The comparison shows that CFD modeling is capable of accurately predicting contact times in the CCT. Results of CFD modeling, including flow streamlines, velocity contours and vectors, were used to improve velocity distribution and reduce solids deposition, short-circuiting and vortices with the inclusion of SolarBee mixers. The CFD modeling has clearly illustrated the short-circuiting phenomenon that occurs without the SolarBee mixer in place. SolarBees can be effectively used to prevent short-circuiting by being placed directly in the short-circuiting path. The study demonstrates that CFD modeling is a valuable modeling tool for wastewater industry.