Application of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation tools to improve wastewater treatment

Within the field of wastewater treatment, process simulation tools for Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) have become indispensable for designing systems and calculating treatment efficiencies to control the process at a global level. However, when it comes to understanding in depth what happens inside the tanks where the treatment processes take place, traditional software has significant limitations. This situation has led to the implementation of new, more sophisticated simulation tools in the wastewater treatment sector.

Computational Fluid Dynamics ( CFD) is a branch of fluid mechanics that, among other advantages, allows the calculation in 3D and in a very detailed way, under a wide range of conditions, of the behavior of fluids.

The results of CFD analyses are generally used for studying new designs, developing new products, repairs, redesigns, and optimization. These tools allow for the detection, reproduction, and analysis of specific problems related to the system's hydraulics.

In this regard, the launch of the new HYDRENS business line has enabled the application of these simulation tools to different process units within a wastewater treatment plant. In addition to studying hydraulic behavior, various specific models, such as biochemical models, activated sludge sedimentation models, and UV radiation models, have been successfully incorporated, depending on the tank type and process under study. As a result, numerous full-scale simulations have been experimentally validated using specific techniques and instrumentation.

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