Numerical simulation of sedimentation processes in a novel air flotation-sedimentation tank

Abstract A reference model has been developed to optimize the design of novel flotation sedimentation tanks using numerical simulation methods The computational fluid dynamics software, “Fluent”, is used here to numerically simulate the solid-liquid two-phase flow of the sedimentation process in a novel air flotation-sedimentation tank. The simulation obtained particle trajectories and a series of curves that explore the relationship between particle size, particle density and removal rate. The sedimentation velocity was calculated for instances when the density reached a minimal limit value. In particular, the least amount of change in unfavorable sedimentation velocities was determined for differently sized particles as they reached their minimal density values. Numerical modeling of the novel flotation-sedimentation tank was found to correctly reflect the laws of particle sedimentation and can be used in further research concerning the optimization of new flotation-sedimentation tank designs.