Numerical Study of Different Inlet Configurations on the Fluid Dynamics of an Anaerobic Sequencing Batch Reactor

Abstract

Concern for the environment is a current trend. Due to problems with the greenhouse effect, biohydrogen emerges as an interesting source of energy: its combustion does not emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and its production by fermentative routes also contributes to the environment by the consume of wastes. In this work, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) technique is applied to study the flow in a bioreactor used for biohydrogen production, using different distributors for the injection of the recirculating liquid mixture inside the reactor. Inlet configurations with seven and nineteen pipes, direct downward and upward, were compared to the original configuration, with one pipe. Results indicate that the use of a distributor with a larger number of pipes provides higher turbulence inside the reactor, when directed downward. This means a better mixture of the phases, which can improve the reactor efficiency.