CFD Simulation of Two-Phase Flows in Anaerobic Digester

Abstract

In recent years, the study of Anaerobic Digestion (AD) has become one of the important technologies in the development of biogas production as renewable energy source. It can reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases and improve management of solid wastes. The production of biogas is influenced by many parameters including temperature, mixing, pH and hydraulic retention time etc. In this study, the mathematical model and numerical simulation of the turbulent, two-phase flow of liquid and gas in a Anaerobic Digester were conducted by Computational Fluid Dynamics. The hydrodynamic behaviours of the gas-lift and mechanical mixing digesters were investigated, such as velocity field, dynamic viscosity and optimal mixing type.