Numerical simulation of clarifier-thickener units treating ideal suspensions with a flux density function having two inflection points

Burger, R; Concha, F; Karlsen KH; Narvaez A.

Abstract

We consider a nonconvex conservation law modelling the settling of particles in ideal clarifier-thickener units. The flux function of this conservation law has an explicit spatial dependence that is discontinuous. Previous works by two of the authors, together with collaborators, have been aimed at providing a firm rigorous ground of mathematical (global existence and uniqueness) and numerical analysis for clarifier-thickener models. Although the results of these works are briefly summarized herein, the chief goal of this paper is to present a number of numerical simulations of practical interest and to draw some conclusions from them. In contrast to previous papers we consider here flux density functions with two inflection points, which result in solutions exhibiting a richer structure than for flux density functions having one inflection point. The relevance of the "two inflection point" case comes from experimental observations. In addition, we include here several numerical simulations in which the feed rate and overflow and underflow bulk rates vary with time. Time dependent situations have high practical value, but have been very little studied in the literature. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Más información

Título según WOS: Numerical simulation of clarifier-thickener units treating ideal suspensions with a flux density function having two inflection points
Título según SCOPUS: Numerical simulation of clarifier-thickener units treating ideal suspensions with a flux density function having two inflection points
Título de la Revista: Mathematical and Computer Modelling
Volumen: 44
Número: 03-abr
Editorial: Elsevier
Fecha de publicación: 2006
Página de inicio: 255
Página final: 275
Idioma: English
URL: http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0895717705005480
DOI:

10.1016/j.mcm.2005.11.008

Notas: ISI, SCOPUS - WOS