Hydraulic modelling of baffle configuration on the removal efficiency of a rectangular oilwater separation tank
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Date
2016-02-01
Authors
Haitham Alaa Hussein
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Abstract
The particular release of fat, oil, and grease (FOG) into collection systems ultimately brings about the blockage of conduits and subsequent sanitary sewer overflows . Designing oil and water rectangular separation tank due to gravitation is extensively applied in treatment units. Using baffles in separation tanks and measuring its effects on hydraulic efficiency is a challenging subject that researchers have investigated. In this study, the effects of end baffle location, inlet baffle location, inlet baffle height, and inlet baffle angle installation on the flow pattern and removal efficiency of oil/water separation tanks are investigated using experimental test and numerical simulation. The velocity field in the laboratory separation tank with various types of baffles configuration was measured by Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV) to determine the velocity profile. In addition, experimental tests are conducted to measure the removal efficiency of separation tanks equipped at different inlet baffle. Numerical simulation, including the modelling of flow pattern and hydraulic characteristics of separation tanks with different baffle configurations, was performed to determine the best end and inlet baffle location, height of inlet baffle and angle of inlet baffle. Based on the results of experimental tests and numerical models, end baffles location de/L=0.76, with an inlet baffle position di/L=0.12, inlet baffle submersible depth ratio Hib/H= 0.24, and inlet baffle angle installed at 900, achieve the highest removal efficiency. This configuration produced minimum circulation zone volume and kinetic energy, the most uniform velocity profiles, and thus highest removal efficiency in the separation tank. Finally a formula to determine the removal efficiency as a function of inlet baffle location is obtained from laboratory test results.