Aqua (Jun 2024)

Research on the multiphase flow in a sludge concentrated tank and its structural optimization

  • Xuan Nan,
  • Xiaojun Li,
  • Shibin Zhu,
  • Yuqiang Chen,
  • Yang Chen,
  • Guidong Liu,
  • Xinxin Liu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2024.082
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 73, no. 6
pp. 1257 – 1276

Abstract

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This study primarily discusses the influence of internal structure on the performance of sludge concentrators. The focus is to evaluate the influence of internal structural changes on the improvement of sludge settling and clarifying efficiency through numerical simulation, so as to achieve the optimal design of sludge settling equipment parameters. The results show that with the increase of the bottom outlet width of the cone guide blade, the turbulence decreases, and the sludge thickening efficiency is significantly increased by about 27.1%, from 0.01036 at 300 mm to 0.0132 at 500 mm, which significantly improves the sludge settling and thickening efficiency. Also, the addition of the extended deflector significantly increased the bottom sludge settling concentration from 0.0129 to 0.0134 by about 3.87% and reduced the outlet suspended matter by about 13.6%. Obviously, the influence of effluent width and extended diversion length on sludge settling efficiency and water purification cannot be ignored. Therefore, an optimal design that takes into account the outlet width and the length of the extended deflector is critical to achieve optimal sludge concentration and water quality in the sludge concentrator. These findings provide numerical theoretical insights for improving the performance of sludge thickeners and the efficiency of water treatment. HIGHLIGHTS The baffle structure has a significant impact on the sludge settling effect.; Optimization of the baffle structure can accelerate the speed of sludge settling and aggregation.; The bottom width of the guide cone and the extended baffle plate are key factors that affect the purification effect and sludge settling efficiency.;

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