Numerical Modelling of Non-Newtonian Fluid in a Rotational Cross-Flow MBR

Fouling is the main bottleneck of the widespread of MBR systems. One way to decrease and/or control fouling is by process hydrodynamics. This can be achieved by the increase of liquid crossflow velocity. In rotational cross-flow MBR systems, this is attained by the spinning of e.g. impellers. Validation of the CFD model was made against LDA tangential velocity measurements (error less than 8 %) using water a fluid. The shear stress over the membrane surface was inferred from the CFD simulations for water. However, activated sludge is a non-Newtonian liquid, for which the CFD model was modified incorporating the non-Newtonian behaviour of activated sludge. Shear stress and area-weighted average shear stress relationships were made giving error less that 8 % compared to the CFD results. An empirical relationship for the area-weighted average shear stress was developed for water and activated sludge as function of the angular velocity and the total suspended solids concentration.