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Biomedical subjects

M Roustan

Publications and source records attributed to M Roustan.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Predicting oxygen transfer of fine bubble diffused aeration systems--model issued from dimensional analysis.

The standard oxygenation performances of fine bubble diffused aeration systems in clean water, measured in 12 cylindrical tanks (water depth from 2.4 to 6.1m), were analysed using dimensional analysis. A relationship was established to estimate the scale-up factor for oxygen transfer, the transfer number (N(T)) The transfer number, which is written as a function of the oxygen transfer coefficient (k(L)a(20)), the gas superficial velocity (U(G)), the kinematic viscosity of water (nu) and the acceleration due to gravity (g), has the same physical meaning as the specific oxygen transfer efficiency. N(T) only depends on the geometry of the tank/aeration system [the total surface of the perforated membrane (S(p)), the surface of the tank (S) or its diameter (D), the total surface of the zones covered by the diffusers ("aerated area", S(a)) and the submergence of the diffusers (h)]. This analysis allowed to better describe the mass transfer in cylindrical tanks. Within the range of the parameters considered, the oxygen transfer coefficient (k(L)a(20)) is an increasing linear function of the air flow rate. For a given air flow rate and a given tank surface area, k(L)a(20) decreases with the water depth (submergence of the diffusers). For a given water depth, k(L)a(20) increases with the number of diffusers, and, for an equal number of diffusers, with the total area of the zones covered by the diffusers. The latter result evidences the superiority of the total floor coverage over an arrangement whereby the diffusers are placed on separate grids. The specific standard oxygen transfer efficiency is independent of the air flow rate and the water depth, the drop in the k(L)a(20) being offset by the increase of the saturation concentration. For a given tank area, the impact of the total surface of the perforated membrane (S(p)) and of the aerated area (S(a)) is the same as on the oxygen transfer coefficient.

Air Movements↗

Modelling and control of potable water chlorination.

The Umgeni Water Wiggins water treatment plant feeds the southern areas of Durban in South Africa and has a maximum treatment capacity of about 350 Ml/d. Two interconnected reservoirs at this facility hold treated water before it enters the distribution network. Because of the variable demand, the reservoir levels and residence times undergo considerable variation. This has a strong influence on the free chlorine concentration in the water leaving the reservoir, which should be 0.8 to 1.2 mg/l, to ensure an adequate disinfection potential within the network. This paper describes a model which accounts for the observed variations of chlorine concentration, and will form the basis of a predictive controller for the chlorine concentration in the outlet.

Chlorine Compounds↗

Optimal operation of a potable water distribution network.

This paper presents an approach to an optimal operation of a potable water distribution network. The main control objective defined during the preliminary steps was to maximise the use of low-cost power, maintaining at the same time minimum emergency levels in all reservoirs. The combination of dynamic elements (e.g. reservoirs) and discrete elements (pumps, valves, routing) makes this a challenging predictive control and constrained optimisation problem, which is being solved by MINLP (Mixed Integer Non-linear Programming). Initial experimental results show the performance of this algorithm and its ability to control the water distribution process.

Engineering↗

Prediction of mean circulation velocity in oxidation ditch.

In wastewater treatment, oxidation ditches are used for the removal of carbon and nitrogen of activated sludge. The control of the single-phase flow is essential to the optimisation of the whole process. Among the two global functioning parameters (mean liquid velocity Uc, power dissipated per unit of volume P/V), the mean circulation velocity can be recommended. Indeed, the values of the power dissipated per unit of volume P/V obtained in different scale plant show that the industrial criterion on P/V leads to an overdesign of channel. Therefore a mean liquid circulation velocity Uc created by horizontal impellers must be maintained inside the ditch. In order to predict the velocity Uc, a model has been proposed based on the Equations of the continuity and motion and using a few simple parameters. Experiments were carried out on pilot plant (1 m3) and full scale ditches (860, 1400 and 2800 m3) in which the characteristics of the mixing system and the dimensions of channels were varied. A good agreement was observed between the model predictions and experimental data for the mean circulation velocity Uc.

Models, Theoretical↗

Transfer number in fine bubble diffused aeration systems.

On the basis of full-scale data from 58 clean water tests performed in 26 activated sludge tanks equipped with fine bubble diffusers and of a theoretical approach, it can be stated that fine bubble aeration systems with total floor coverage arrangement provide higher kLa values and the lowest spiral liquid circulation. An efficiency criterion for oxygen transfer (NT) was defined on the basis of the dimensional analysis. The transfer number NT allows us to take account of the impact of vertical liquid circulation movements on oxygen transfer. The values of NT calculated from the results of full scale nonsteady-state clean water tests vary from 5.3 x 10(-5) to 9.1 x 10(-5) and are directly dependent upon the arrangement of air diffusers. It has been shown that the highest transfer numbers corresponded to the total floor coverage arrangement and the average calculated NT values is 7.7 x 10(-5), independently of the diffuser density and of the gas velocity, over the ranges studied. The lowest transfer numbers are obtained when the diffusers are located in separate grids, and the transfer number is reduced with increasing air flow rate.

Air Movements↗

Influence of hydrodynamic conditions on biofilm behavior in a methanogenic inverse turbulent bed reactor.

This paper presents a study about the influence of gas velocity on a methanogenic biofilm in an inverse turbulent bed reactor. Experimental results indicate a dynamic response of the growing attached biomass to the changes of hydrodynamic conditions, mainly attrition constraints. Short but intensive increases of gas velocity (U(g)) are shown to induce more detachment than a high but constant gas flow rate. Hydrodynamic conditions control the composition of the growing biofilm in terms of cells and exocellular polymeric substances (EPS). The cell fraction within the biofilm (R(cell)) was found to be inversely proportional to the gas velocity. The specific activity expressed in methane production rate or COD removal rate is higher in biofilms formed under high hydrodynamic constraints. The control of the hydrodynamic conditions in a biofilm reactor should make it possible to obtain a resistant and active biofilm.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗