Aplicação da fluidodinâmica computacional no estudo hidrodinâmico de um sedimentador com membranas

Abstract

Functional membranes represent a promising innovation in wastewater treatment, combining multiple technologies in a single device. To explore this technology, a study using computer simulation was conducted. The objective was to analyze the performance of submerged membranes in a hydrodynamic vortex settler (SHV). Simulations were performed for flow rates of 10, 15, and 20 L.s-1, seeking to identify the most efficient configuration based on pre-established parameters. The limits of the analyzed parameters were obtained: vertical velocities for flow rates of 10 L.s-1 from -0.433 to 0.557 m.s-1, 15 L.s-1 from -0.212 to 0.422 m.s-1, and 20 L.s-1 from 1.033 to 0.972 m.s-1. The maximum total velocities were 5,320 m.s-1 for a flow rate of 10 L.s-1, 7,509 m.s-1 for a flow rate of 15 L.s-1, and 16,269 m.s-1 for a flow rate of 20 L.s-1. The particle settling times were 20 s for a flow rate of 10 L.s-1, 16 s for 15 L.s-1, and 8 s for 20 L.s-1. The analysis of the fluid flow within the SHV revealed four distinct regions, each with a particular flow pattern: accumulation region (Ra); separation region (RSe); inlet region (RE); and outlet region (RS), delimited from the studied velocities and the vectors generated in the simulations. The simulation results show that the inclusion of submerged membranes does not alter the fundamental characteristics of vortex settlers already documented in the literature. This suggests that the integration of functional membranes is feasible without compromising the basic functionality of the equipment. Based on the variables studied, we concluded that a flow rate of 20 L.s-1 was more efficient.