Gas-liquid mass transfer characteristics of aviation fuel scrubbing in an aircraft fuel tank

Dissolved oxygen evolving from aviation fuel leads to an increase in the oxygen concentration in an inert aircraft fuel tank ullage that may increase the flammability of the tank. Aviation fuel scrubbing with nitrogen-enriched air (NEA) can largely reduce the amount of dissolved oxygen and counteract the adverse effect of oxygen evolution. The gas–liquid mass transfer characteristics of aviation fuel scrubbing are investigated using the computational fluid dynamics method, which is verified experimentally. The effects of the NEA bubble diameter, NEA superficial velocity and fuel load on oxygen transfer between NEA and aviation fuel are discussed. Findings from this work indicate that the descent rate of the average dissolved oxygen concentration, gas holdup distribution and volumetric mass transfer coefficient increase with increasing NEA superficial velocity but decrease with increasing bubble diameter and fuel load. When the bubble diameter varies from 1 to 4 mm, the maximum change of descent rate of dissolved oxygen concentration is 18.46%, the gas holdup is 8.73%, the oxygen volumetric mass transfer coefficient is 81.45%. When the NEA superficial velocities varies from 0.04 to 0.10 m/s, the maximum change of descent rate of dissolved oxygen concentration is 146.77%, the gas holdup is 77.14%, the oxygen volumetric mass transfer coefficient is 175.38%. When the fuel load varies from 35 to 80%, the maximum change of descent rate of dissolved oxygen concentration is 21.15%, the gas holdup is 49.54%, the oxygen volumetric mass transfer coefficient is 44.57%. These results provide a better understanding of the gas and liquid mass transfer characteristics of aviation fuel scrubbing in aircraft fuel tanks and can promote the optimal design of fuel scrubbing inerting systems.

CFD Simulation on the Hydrodynamics in Gas-Liquid Airlift Reactor

Two-fluid model approach to simulate gas-liquid airlift reactors is widely implemented but have yet to reach a consensus on the closure model to account the gas-liquid interphase forces. Proper selection of a closure model is required in order to accurately capture the hydrodynamics in the complex of the two-phase system. Our work concerns the evaluation of the interfacial forces models (i. e. drag, lift and turbulent dispersion force) and their effects on local gas holdup and liquid velocity. A transient three-dimensional airlift reactor simulation was carried out using computational fluid dynamics by implementing the dispersed standardk-εturbulence model. Four drag models governed by spherical bubble, bubble deformation and Rayleigh-Taylor were being evaluated in our work. The significance on the inclusion of the lift model on predictive accuracy on the flow field was also studied as well. Whereas, two turbulent dispersion force models were selected to evaluate on their performance in improving the predictive accuracy of the local hydrodynamics. Results showed that the drag governed by Rayleigh-Taylor which accounts the bubble swarm effect had better predictions on the gas holdup in the downcomer and improved predictions in radial gas holdup. The inclusion of the lift model improved local gas holdup predictions at higher heights of the reactor and shifted the bubble plume towards the centre region of the riser. Meanwhile, the turbulent dispersion models improved the overall results of predicted local gas holdup with closer agreement obtained when the drift velocity model was considered in the simulation. The axial liquid velocity was well predicted for all cases. The consideration of the drag, lift and turbulent dispersion forces resulted in a closer agreement with experimental data.

How well-mixed is well mixed? Hydrodynamic-biokinetic model integration in an aerated tank of a full-scale water resource recovery facility

Current water resource recovery facility (WRRF) models only consider local concentration variations caused by inadequate mixing to a very limited extent, which often leads to a need for (rigorous) calibration. The main objective of this study is to visualize local impacts of mixing by developing an integrated hydrodynamic-biokinetic model for an aeration compartment of a full-scale WRRF. Such a model is able to predict local variations in concentrations and thus allows judging their importance at a process level. In order to achieve this, full-scale hydrodynamics have been simulated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) through a detailed description of the gas and liquid phases and validated experimentally. In a second step, full ASM1 biokinetic model was integrated with the CFD model to account for the impact of mixing at the process level. The integrated model was subsequently used to evaluate effects of changing influent and aeration flows on process performance. Regions of poor mixing resulting in non-uniform substrate distributions were observed even in areas commonly assumed to be well-mixed. The concept of concentration distribution plots was introduced to quantify and clearly present spatial variations in local process concentrations. Moreover, the results of the CFD-biokinetic model were concisely compared with a conventional tanks-in-series (TIS) approach. It was found that TIS model needs calibration and a single parameter set does not suffice to describe the system under both dry and wet weather conditions. Finally, it was concluded that local mixing conditions have significant consequences in terms of optimal sensor location, control system design and process evaluation.

Hydrodynamics and Mass Transfer Simulation in Airlift Bioreactor with Settler using Computational Fluid Dynamics

In this work, the effect of inlet-gas superficial velocity over the circulation liquid velocity, gas holdup and mass transfer, from an airlift bioreactor with settler were studied by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling and contrasted with experimental results. Multiphase mixture model and κ-ε turbulence model were used to describe the two phases gas-liquid flow pattern in airlift bioreactor. The hydrodynamic parameters such as liquid circulation velocity and gas holdup were computed by solving the governing equations of continuity, moment and turbulence transport using the finite volume method. Global mass transfer coefficient was evaluated through the Higbie’s penetration theory and the two-phase fluid dynamic theory. Comparison between our numerical data and experimental data previously reported in the literature was done. Numerical and experimental data were very close, and the differences found were discussed in terms of the limitations of this study.

Good modelling practice in applying computational fluid dynamics for WWTP modelling

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling in the wastewater treatment (WWT) field is continuing to grow and be used to solve increasingly complex problems. However, the future of CFD models and their value to the wastewater field are a function of their proper application and knowledge of their limits. As has been established for other types of wastewater modelling (i.e. biokinetic models), it is timely to define a good modelling practice (GMP) for wastewater CFD applications. An International Water Association (IWA) working group has been formed to investigate a variety of issues and challenges related to CFD modelling in water and WWT. This paper summarizes the recommendations for GMP of the IWA working group on CFD. The paper provides an overview of GMP and, though it is written for the wastewater application, is based on general CFD procedures. A forthcoming companion paper to provide specific details on modelling of individual wastewater components forms the next step of the working group.