Application of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to ozone contactor optimization

Many approaches have been used to model the performance and efficiency of ozone contactors based on some assumptions to characterize the backmixing in fluids. Recently, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique has been proposed to simulate and optimize ozone contactors by calculating residence time distribution of fluid. To improve the ozone contactor performance of Bijianshan Water Treatment Plant in Shenzhen in South China, CFD was used for simulation and development of new optimization measures. Results showed that the low depth/length ratio of the contactor chambers in the original design resulted in short circuiting and backmixing, with the T10/HRT being only 0.40. Installation of guide plates substantially reduced short circuiting and backmixing with a much higher T10/HRT (0.66), increased by 73% compared with the original design.