A numerical simulation on the flow of watershed filtration reactors using lignocellulosic materials

Abstract

Pinyon juniper, a small-diameter and underutilized (SDU) lignocellulosic material, was harvested in New Mexico, identified as Juniperus monosperma at the USDA Forest Products Laboratory, chipped, fiberized and chemically modified to remove pollutants from wastewater. This juniper species was selected as a raw material through screening test for removal of pollutants and proved to be one of a best lignocellulosic material. Resultant fiber was made into a Rando mat using 10% HC-105 binder, with mat density of 0.109 to 0.13 1 g/cm 3 , thickness of about 1.3cm. The hydraulic conductivity was 6.4 x 10 -4 cm/s. Mats were cut into 61 cm x 61 cm pieces, fitted into stainless steel frames, and installed into a model filtration reactor. The aim of this study is to simulate the flow by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and provide information on flows inside the system to aid the design of an ideal reactor. The major influential parameters of the flow inside the reactor can be designated such as porosity, height, width, number of filters, and distances between the baffles. Due to the flow resistances between the filters, the water level is continuously decreasing with waves propagating on it. Different flow characteristics can be obtained by changing the shape of the reactor and porosity of the filter.

Citation

Hur, N.; Choi, B.; Han, J.S.; Shin, E.W.; Min, S.; Rowell, R.M. 2003. A numerical simulation on the flow of watershed filtration reactors using lignocellulosic materials. 6th Inter-Regional Conference on Environment-Water “Land and Water Use Planning and Management” Albacete, Spain, September. 3-5, 2003. Albacete, Spain : CREA Publishing, [2003]: 11 Pages