ANSYS > Case Studies > Utilizing Computational Flow Modeling for Enhanced Combined Sewer Overflow System Design

Utilizing Computational Flow Modeling for Enhanced Combined Sewer Overflow System Design

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Technology Category
  • Sensors - Liquid Detection Sensors
  • Sensors - Utility Meters
Applicable Industries
  • Renewable Energy
  • Utilities
Applicable Functions
  • Procurement
  • Product Research & Development
Use Cases
  • Intelligent Urban Water Supply Management
  • Leakage & Flood Monitoring
Services
  • System Integration
About The Customer
Hydro International is a global supplier of innovative, environmentally sustainable products and services that meet the evolving regulations for the control and treatment of stormwater, combined sewer overflows, and wastewater. The company’s line of products provides an economical solution to control quantity and improve water quality. They are committed to offering their customers a less expensive, high-performance solution to address combined sewer overflow requirements.
The Challenge
Cities in the northeastern U.S. were exploring the installation of new combined sewer overflow (CSO) treatment units using an advanced hydrodynamic vortex separator (HDVS) with a self-cleansing screen, such as that produced by Hydro International. Traditionally, HDVSs have been used as high-rate solid–liquid separators; only recently has their potential use as contact chambers for high-rate disinfection of CSOs been realized. Conventional disinfection of CSOs, using mixed basins, requires contact times of around 15 minutes. However, a report demonstrated that these systems provide effective high-rate disinfection at contact times of only three minutes. While the shorter contact times could save up to 50 percent of overall project costs for municipalities, regulators still expected to see longer contact times based on performance requirements of older systems. The challenge for Hydro International was to understand the basis for the shorter contact times and validate that high-rate disinfection is an acceptable alternative to longer conventional disinfection methods.
The Solution
Hydro International, in collaboration with Cardiff University, used ANSYS Fluent flow modeling software to develop a computational model for the Storm King HDVS. They ran the model through a range of flow speeds corresponding to full-scale laboratory experiments and used the results to compute contact times and compare these values with the experimental results. By combining physical experiments with the computational program, Hydro International successfully demonstrated that modeled residence times and disinfection kill rates in the Storm King system agree with full-scale laboratory observations. They provided insights into the basis for the observed disinfection efficacy and confirmed that disinfection kill rates are equivalent to (or in some cases better than) those of a conventional tank. These results were used to support a proposal for regulatory agencies to relax the 15-minute contact time mandate for CSO disinfection.
Operational Impact
  • The use of computational flow modeling software allowed Hydro International to validate the efficacy of high-rate disinfection as an alternative to longer conventional disinfection methods. This not only demonstrated the potential for significant cost savings for municipalities but also provided a basis for a proposal to regulatory agencies to relax the 15-minute contact time mandate for CSO disinfection. The successful demonstration of modeled residence times and disinfection kill rates in the Storm King system, in agreement with full-scale laboratory observations, provided insights into the basis for the observed disinfection efficacy. This has enabled Hydro International to offer its customers a less expensive, high-performance solution to address combined sewer overflow requirements.
Quantitative Benefit
  • Significant reduction in capital costs for combined sewer overflow disinfection systems
  • Save space and land for municipal water authorities incorporating the new system
  • Shorter contact times could save up to 50 percent of overall project costs for municipalities

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