Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of membrane reactors: modelling of membrane bioreactors for municipal wastewater treatment

Abstract: Computational methods provide invaluable insight to the analysis of complex two-phase and three-phase flow in municipal-scale membrane bioreactors. This capacity to simulate air, liquid and solid movement is an invaluable contribution to the design process. The following chapter provides an overview of membrane bioreactor (MBR) design, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) theory and modelling techniques for two-phase and three-phase flow. Topics include the effect of reactor geometry and membrane configuration on turbulence, the accumulation of solids, energy consumption and the efficiency of aeration. Emphasis is placed on the importance of model calibration and validation and the outlook for future work.