Predicting the effect of tank geometry on surface aeration system performance

The purpose of this project is to develop a more fundamental mathematical model for the prediction of surface aeration system mixing and oxygen mass transfer performance. This model includes the ability to perform realistic mass transfer and scale-up calculations once the hydrodynamic characteristics are known. A computational fluid dynamics package (FLUENT) was used to determine the bulk liquid phase velocity profiles for several surface aeration systems. The oxygen mass transfer equations were subsequently solved with a model that incorporates two distinct oxygen mass transfer zones. The result is an improved mathematical model that can be used for better design and analysis of surface aeration systems.