Developing State-of-the-Art Hydraulic Model Integrating Hydraulic Profile with Flow Distribution

In a recent project at the Sacramento Regional wastewater treatment plant, a new mathematical hydraulic profile model was developed. The model incorporates advanced flow distribution with basic hydraulic profile modeling. Advanced flow distribution models using two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics and one dimensional energy-momentum models were used to estimate the flow distribution between the different unit processes. The model was then used to determine the hydraulic profile throughout the plant based on the flow distribution. The model was also used to predict flows received by each unit processes. The model was calibrated and verified using field data and physical modeling. The field data was first used to calibrate a 1:20 scale physical model. Detailed description of the model and its application at the Sacramento Regional wastewater treatment plant will be presented in the final manuscript.Few years ago, plant staff initiated a project to develop a hydraulic mathematical model of the treatment plant. The objectives of the mathematical model are:Understand the flow distribution between the different unit processesIdentify potential fixesUse the model as operational tool to improve plant performanceDifferent commercially available softwares were evaluated. The criteria used in the evaluation included four categories: 1) Hydraulic modeling category, 2) Code development category, 3) Information system category, 4) Licensing requirement categoryA detailed description of each model selection criteria will be included in the final manuscript.