A computational study of the effect of lamp arrangements on the performance of ultraviolet water disinfection reactors. (27th January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Chen; Rangaiah, G.P.; Zhao, X.S.
• Is Part Of: Chemical engineering science. Volume 122(2015)
• Page Start: 299
• Page End: 306
• Publication Date: 2015-01-27
• Subjects: Water disinfection -- Ultraviolet irradiation -- Computational fluid dynamics -- Monte-Carlo method -- Lamp arrangement; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; Génie chimique -- Périodiques; Chemical engineering; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 660
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2014.09.041
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-2509

Abstract

Abstract: Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection is an environmentally friendly water treatment technology. Effects of different lamp arrangements on UV disinfection reactor performance have not been well-studied. In this work, the UV disinfection performance of reactors with various lamp arrangements was analyzed on a common basis. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation software FLUENT was used to simulate microorganism particle motion in different UV water disinfection reactors. Applying the Monte-Carlo method, the reactor performance was assessed based on microorganism log reduction under constant UV dosage. Results for different lamp arrangements show that increasing number of lamps did not improve reactor performance despite more homogeneous UV fluence rate distribution. The lamp located directly below the water outlet retains particles inside the reactor for a longer time, thus enhancing reactor performance especially at low water flow rates. Highlights: Effects of lamp arrangement on water disinfection reactor performance were analyzed. Water flow rate and lamp arrangement have complex effects on reactor performance. Parallel-type reactors perform better than perpendicular-type. Good reactors should have high average UV fluence rate. Operating conditions should provide low particle residence time standard deviation.