Using CFD Techniques in Teaching Rectangular Settling Tank Hydrodynamics

Abstract

Sedimentation is one of the most important phenomena applied in wastewater treatment. The paper presents the CFD techniques used in teaching students the influence of the inlet baffle on the primary settling tank hydrodynamics. Different sizes and dimensions of the baffle are studied in order to highlight the optimum configuration that assures uniform flow in the settling area and prevents dead zones. By this mean the students have the possibility to evaluate multiple configurations in short time intervals and with low costs, when compared to hands-on experiments.