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Flow simulations approach for flocculation tanks
Idžakovičová, Kristýna ; Bílek, Vojtěch ; Haidl, Jan ; Isoz, M. ; Pivokonský, Martin
Flocculation in water treatment facilities plays a key role in the separation of colloidal inorganic and organic substances. Its optimization leads to a significant increase in its efficiency and savings of operational costs. However, it is currently based on trial-and-error experimental approaches. In this contribution, we focus on flow modeling in stirred flocculation tanks that would, after coupling with a calibrated model of particle aggregation, enable simulationbased flocculation optimization. Despite the abundance of literature on stirred tank modeling, there is no universal agreement on the methodology used to describe turbulence nor on the approach to the computational mesh creation. Consequently, there is no unified methodology for simulations and their validation. To address this, we present a best-practice methodology for economical, yet reliable flow simulations in the said device. This methodology includes the choice of the turbulence model, the approach to the design of a high quality mesh suitable for arbitrary geometries, and results evaluation. It is developed based on an extensive literature review, a multitude of flow simulations using several meshes of progressively higher quality and resolution, and various strategies to converge to steady-state flow conditions. The simulation quality indicators used here involve comparison with the experimental data on fluid velocity, stirrer power output, and flow rate through the impeller zone. Additionally, the resulting flow simulation models are compared using tracer transport simulations, hinting at their potential for coupling with particle aggregation models.
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Improvement of an unbaffled stirred tank mixing characteristics using variable speed impeller
Gebouský, Ondřej ; Haidl, Jan ; Bodnár, J. ; Pivokonský, Martin
Unbaffled mixing tanks with magnetically driven impellers are increasingly used in biotechnological and pharmaceutical industries, combining the benefits of a closed, sterile environment with easy equipment cleanability. On the other hand, missing internals, such as baffles or cooling coils, have an adverse effect on the equipment mixing characteristics, namely the batch\nhomogenization time. In our previous research, we uncovered that the eccentricity and inclination of the impeller – both employed routinely to enhance the mixing characteristics of unbaffled vessels – are not fully effective in the suppression of central vortex formation resulting in the increase in the homogenization time. In this work, we propose a simple solution to counteract the central vortex formation – a periodical variation of impeller rotational speed. This approach destabilizes the central vortex, significantly reducing homogenization time while maintaining the benefits of the original unbaffled setup. This innovation can seamlessly integrate into existing industrial setups, promising efficiency gains for biotech and pharmaceutical production.
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Flow simulations approach for flocculation tanks
Idžakovičová, Kristýna ; Bílek, V. ; Haidl, J. ; Isoz, Martin ; Pivokonský, M.
Flocculation in water treatment facilities plays a key role in the separation of colloidal inorganic and organic substances. Its optimization leads to a significant increase in its efficiency and savings of operational costs. However, it is currently based on trial-and-error experimental approaches. In this contribution, we focus on flow modeling in stirred flocculation tanks that would, after coupling with a calibrated model of particle aggregation, enable simulationbased flocculation optimization. Despite the abundance of literature on stirred tank modeling, there is no universal agreement on the methodology used to describe turbulence nor on the approach to the computational mesh creation. Consequently, there is no unified methodology for simulations and their validation. To address this, we present a best-practice methodology for economical, yet reliable flow simulations in the said device. This methodology includes the choice of the turbulence model, the approach to the design of a high quality mesh suitable for arbitrary geometries, and results evaluation. It is developed based on an extensive literature review, a multitude of flow simulations using several meshes of progressively higher quality and resolution, and various strategies to converge to steady-state flow conditions. The simulation quality indicators used here involve comparison with the experimental data on fluid velocity, stirrer power output, and flow rate through the impeller zone. Additionally, the resulting flow simulation models are compared using tracer transport simulations, hinting at their potential for coupling with particle aggregation models.
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Simultaneous online determination of nitric acid and nitrates in ambient air
Alexa, Lukáš ; Čmelíková, D. ; Cigánková, Hana ; Mikuška, Pavel
The innovated method for the simultaneous online determination of HNO3/NO3- in ambient air was developed. Due to high sensitivity of CLD (LOD = 5.1 nM in water solution, 3 s/n) no preconcentration method is required. The online methods were compared with the results obtained with the offline method based on sampling using filters and dry denuders (DD) covered by 0.5% NaF with subsequent analysis by ion chromatography (model ICS-2100, Dionex, USA) and capillary electrophoresis (model Agilent 7100, Agilent Technologies, USA).
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Forest springs, a safe source of drinking water?
Mikuška, Pavel ; Alexa, Lukáš ; Kouřilová, S. ; Cigánková, Hana ; Křůmal, Kamil ; Itterheimová, Petra ; Kubáň, Petr ; Matoušek, Tomáš ; Barešová, Magdalena ; Pivokonský, Martin
Water from 25 forest springs was characterized for basic physical parameters and chemical and bacteriological composition. Chemical composition was mostly within limits for drinking water, but bacteriological results indicate faecal pollution of water in majority studied springs.
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Where and how much water do trees transport? Modelling the impact of spruce and beech stands on soil water fluxes during extreme climatic conditions
Zelíková, Nikol ; Šípek, Václav
Soil moisture links processes that influence the entire hydrological cycle and thus the availability of water resources. One important factor influencing these processes is the presence of vegetation. Research on the interactions between vegetation, its management and the processes affecting soil water fluxes is of particular importance in times of ongoing climate change and land cover changes. However, the complexity of these interactions, further influenced by differences between plant species, makes this research more difficult. Land cover change is also taking place in Czechia, specifically in the replacement of spruce monocultures by beech. Therefore, this study investigates the influence of two types of forest stands, spruce (Picea abies) and beech (Fagus sylvatica), on the soil water regime in the experimental Liz catchment in Bohemian Forest, Czechia. This was performed by (1) evaluating differences in soil moisture based on twenty years of measured data and (2) obtaining the two components of the soil water balance (transpiration and percolation) at two plots (beech and spruce) using a soil water balance model. Analysis of the long-term soil moisture data show slightly lower soil moisture values under the beech stands, which disappear when comparing the annual mean values. Differences are evident when evaluating average soil moisture data with depth, where the topmost layer of the soil profile at the spruce site has on average 6% higher soil water content than beech. At the start of the growing season the soil moisture was initially drier under spruce, due to its earlier start of transpiration. This difference was reduced over the season by the intensive transpiration of beech. The outputs of the balance model indicated a higher rate of actual evapotranspiration of beech and a higher rate of percolation of spruce every year. This effect was more pronounced over the dry years, whereas in years with sufficient rainfall the differences were minimal. Thus, the replacement of spruce trees by beech trees may affect the rate of groundwater recharge.
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