2D-CFD Analysis of Diffusers used to Discharge Brine into Water Bodies

Abstract

Inclined submerged diffusers that are used to dilute hypersaline and highly contaminated brine, discharged from desalination plants, in receiving marine waters are commonly modeled via semi-empirical, integral, and 3D Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) models. The first two models are computationally simple and efficient, but not enough accurate in many cases, and 3D-CFD models which show good agreement with experimental data are time-consuming. To avoid computational costs of 3D models and to present a more precise model than simple ones, a modified 2D-CFD model for stagnant and dynamic ambient is suggested in this study. The results showed that the proposed model can predict the jet behavior in both ambients more accurately than integral models and in shorter computing time than 3D models. The results of this study can be used in order to design environmentally friendly discharge systems by engineers and practitioners for brine or pollutant dilution in the receiving marine waters.

Keywords

• computational fluid- dynamics
• dense discharge
• integral models
• marine environment
• submerged diffusers