Search results for "Water science"

A fuzzy-logic-based controller for methane production in anaerobic fixed-film reactors

2017

The main objective of this work was to develop a controller for biogas production in continuous anaerobic fixed-bed reactors, which used effluent total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration as control input in order to prevent process acidification at closed loop. To this aim, a fuzzy-logic-based control system was developed, tuned and validated in an anaerobic fixed-bed reactor at pilot scale that treated industrial winery wastewater. The proposed controller varied the flow rate of wastewater entering the system as a function of the gaseous outflow rate of methane and VFA concentration. Simulation results show that the proposed controller is capable to achieve great process stability ev…

New theoretical solution of the outflow process with a weir with complex shape

2016

AbstractIn this paper, the outflow process of a weir with an irregular shape is studied using dimensional analysis and the incomplete self-similarity theory. The new unique stage–discharge relationship, which is deduced theoretically, represents a novel and comprehensive equation to describe the weir outflow process for a full range of flow and different geometric variables of weirs, including finite-crested weirs, broad-crested weirs with positive or negative crest slope, broad-crested weirs with an upstream, downstream, or both upstream and downstream crest ramps, and, triangular weirs with an upstream or downstream ramp. Finally the proposed stage–discharge relationship is calibrated usi…

Discussion of “Simple Flume for Flow Measurement in Open Channel” by Zohrab Samani and Henry Magallanez

2002

This paper is a Discussion of “simple flume for flow measurement in open channel".

Closure to “Experimental Analysis of Local Pressure Losses for Microirrigation Laterals” by Giuseppe Provenzano and Domenico Pumo

2006

Once t hrough m ultistage fl ash d esalination: gPROMS d ynamic and s teady s tate m odeling

2010

This study focuses on modeling the steady state and dynamic behavior of the multistage flash desalination process (MSF) using gPROMS. This modeling tool allows for simultaneous coding of the system dynamics and steady state performance. In addition, it allows the use of the most efficient solvers for a set of non-linear differential and algebraic equations describing the MSF process. The system model and analysis are based on actual plant data that includes 21 flashing stages and a capacity of 378 kg/s (32,000 m3/d). The simulated unit is part of a massive MSF installation in Doha, Kuwait. System's dynamic behavior is simulated by a step change in the input values of the main operating para…

Experimental Investigation of the Outflow Process over a Triangular Labyrinth-Weir

2012

In this paper, the outflow process from a sharp-crested triangular labyrinth weir is studied. Applying dimensional analysis and the Π theorem, five dimensionless groups, describing the outflow process, are deduced. The measurements, carried out by using sharp-crested weirs placed in a flume, allowed to establish a dimensionless stage-discharge relation. According to this equation, the flow magnification is affected by either the length magnification ratio or head to one cycle width ratio. The proposed equation, which also satisfies two theoretical boundary conditions, was finally tested by using experimental measurements of different reservoir hydraulic models.

Simple flume for flow measurement in sloping open channel

2007

First, this paper presents a new flume for measuring flow discharge in sloping channels, originally proposed by Samani and Magallanez for use in a horizontal channel. The flume is obtained by inserting two semicylinders in a rectangular cross section. Then, using dimensional analysis and the self-similarity theory, the stage-discharge relationship of the flume is theoretically deduced. For determining the two coefficients of the power stage-discharge equation, some experimental runs are carried out using flumes characterized by different values of the contraction ratio (ranging from 0.17 to 0.81) and of the flume slope (ranging from 0.5 to 3.5%). Finally, for a given range of the contractio…

Technical efficiency and cost analysis in wastewater treatment processes: A DEA approach

2009

In light of the growing importance of water reuse as an alternative source of water resources in many regional areas, the objective of this paper is to analyse the efficiency of wastewater treatment plants as a basic requisite to improve the potential of the water reuse. The analytical benchmarking methodology Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is used to calculate efficiency measurements. An efficiency index is obtained for each plant by means of mathematical programming techniques, aiming to minimise the inputs used in the water treatment process. This indicator is used as a reference to analyse plants' activity through a series of variables including the size of the plant or its cost struct…

Energy saving in two-stage reverse osmosis systems coupled with ultrafiltration processes

2005

In this paper the optimization of the main design parameters is performed for a double-stage seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) system coupled with an ultrafiltration process; the minimal energy consumption is the goal of the optimization process. The energetic benefits for the membrane process are calculated, deriving from the use of a hybrid two-stage/two-pass lay-out with ultrafiltration pre-treatment, which is a typically a low energy consumption process. Also the benefits on membranes’ efficiency and duration are assessed by examining the very low Silt Density Index (SDI) of the water exiting the ultrafiltration section. The analysed system includes a SWRO membrane in the high pressure st…

Efficiency increase in thermal desalination plants by matching thermal and solar distillation: theoretical analysis

2005

Abstract The effluent streams from MSF and MED plants retain substantial thermal and mechanical energy which is usually wasted as the streams are rejected into the environment. Recent environmental studies pose the question of environmental sustainability of desalination due to the large amount of heat and brine dissipated into the sea. Moreover the use of renewable energy so far have been confined to experimental studies or to the use in remote areas and no studies have been carried out on the coupling of a solar still plant with an existing thermal desalination installation in order to take advantage of the heat streams generated by the thermal plants. The combination of a solar desalinat…