Optimization of up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket second-layer influent distribution structure

ABSTRACT

A parametric model of the second-layer influent distributor is proposed to increase the reaction efficiency of the up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket. The impacts on the flow efficiency of the main parameters, including the length of distribution pipe, that is, the cylinder radius r₁, the eccentricity of the nozzle e, and the number of nozzles n₁, are investigated. The optimal parameter combination of the second-layer influent distributoris obtained by single factor analysis and orthogonal analysis. Then the two-layer distributor combination model, including the bottom influent distributor and the second-layer influent distributor, is established and the simulations are conducted to study the effect of the two-layer distributor on flow inside the reactor. The simulation results show that the proposed two-layer distributor can achieve a higher mixture efficiency than the single distributor.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• CFD
• Second-layer influent distributor
• Optimization
• Mixing degree
• UASB

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

All data used during the study are available from the corresponding author by request.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China: [grant no 202201013]; Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi Province: [grant no 2018GXNSFAA281312]; Guangxi Key Lab of Manufacturing System and Advanced Manufacturing Technology: [grant no 17-259-05S005]; crosswise tasks of Guangxi University: [grant no BB30100030].