Numerical modeling of brine discharge: commercial models, MEDVSA online simulation tools and advanced computational fluid dynamics

Abstract

Numerical modeling is a prediction tool useful for the design of brine discharge configurations and for environmental impact assessments, to prevent the potential impacts of brine in marine environments. Among the existing approaches of governing equations, dimensional analysis formulas and integration models are usually applied to brine discharge simulations, as is the case of the most used commercial tools for modeling brine discharges. Simulation with computational fluid mechanics (CFDs) advanced models has not yet been implemented and only some research studies are available in the literature. In order to improve the knowledge related to the use and degree of feasibility and reliability of these approaches for the modeling of brine discharges, an exhaustive investigation has been carried out, also including validation with high-quality experimental data. An analysis of the most used commercial models—CORMIX, VISUAL PLUMES, and VISJET—has been carried out focusing on brine discharges. As a result, Technical Specification Cards have been developed for each model (Cormix1, Cormix2, Corjet, UM3, and JetLag), including: theoretical basis, capabilities, limitations, sensitivity analysis, and degree of feasibility and reliability, based on its validation with published experimental data. Faced with the commercial model limitations, alternative MEDVSA simulation tools have been developed and are available on the MEDVSA webpage. They are simple models, based mainly on dimensional analysis and integration formulas, which model the behavior of brine in the near and far field region. Codes have been programmed in Matlab and include tools for modeling different discharge configurations and ambient scenarios. An improvement of the interface and results report and recalibration with new experimental data has been carried out in order to provide alternative higher-quality tools for the commercial models. The following tools have been developed and will be explained in this conference: MEDVSA-IJETG, MEDVSA-MJETS, MEDVSA-JET-SPREADING, MEDVSA-JET-PLUME2D, MEDVSA-PLUME2D, and MEDVSA-PLUMED3D. This global investigation on the numerical modeling of brine discharges has been carried out within the MEDVSA project. The R&D project (2009–2011), financed by the Spanish Ministry of the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs, aims to develop and implement a methodology to reduce the environmental impact of brine discharges. The information, compiled into a methodological guide, and the numerical tools developed are available on the web site of the project (www.medvsa.es).

Keywords:

• Brine discharge
• Numerical modeling
• Commercial models
• Integral models
• CFDs

Acknowledgments

The commercial software analysis and the validation of the numerical results were developed within the framework of the R&D project MEDVSA: A Methodology for the design of brine discharges into the seawater [28].

The authors are grateful for funding provided by the Spanish Ministry of the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs (MARM) under research contract No. 045/RN08/03.3.

Notes

Presented at the International Conference on Desalination for the Environment, Clean Water and Energy, European Desalination Society, 23–26 April 2012, Barcelona, Spain