Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:56:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissDVRF.pdf: 670377 bytes, checksum: a7df05c407160cb1a845c224293f75b6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004-03-05 / Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos / This work studied the anaerobic horizontal reactor of fixed bed (RAHLF)for treatment of waste waters, developed in the Department of Hydraulics and Sanitation of the School of Engineering of São Carlos USP by investigating some mathematical models with two different RAHLFs conditions in different scales: the first in pilot scale by treating domestic and other in bench scale by treating synthetic substratum. The pseudo-homogeneous and heterogeneous models were investigated by considering or not the substratum dispersion in the axial direction. The models were resolved numerically by fourth order Runge-Kutta method, orthogonal collocation and finite differences. The values were compared to reactor experimental values. In the pseudo-homogeneous resolution model with dispersion by using the reactor data in pilot scale was adjusted the axial dispersion coefficient to 1,65.10-3 m2.s-1, after that was used in the solution of the heterogeneous model. The benches reactor values were used to obtain the dispersion coefficient as Zero. The parameter kinetic variation in the reactor was investigated by verifying that this variation is not responsible for the difference between the experimental data and those previewed by the model. / Este trabalho estudou o reator anaeróbio horizontal de leito fixo (RAHLF) para tratamento de águas residuárias, desenvolvido no Departamento de Hidráulica e Saneamento da Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos USP, investigando alguns modelos matemáticos com as condições de operação de dois RAHLFs em diferentes escalas: um em escala piloto tratando esgoto doméstico e outro em escala de bancada tratando substrato sintético. Foram investigados os modelos pseudo-homogêneos e heterogêneos, e estes por sua vez, considerando ou não a dispersão axial. Os modelos foram resolvidos numericamente utilizando os métodos de Runge-Kutta de quarta ordem, colocação ortogonal e diferenças finitas, comparando os valores obtidos pelos modelos com os valores experimentais dos reatores. Na resolução do modelo pseudo-homogêneo com dispersão utilizando os dados do reator em escala piloto foi ajustado o coeficiente de dispersão axial com valor de 1,65.10-3 m2.s-1, o qual foi posteriormente utilizado na solução do modelo heterogêneo. Utilizando os dados do reator em escala de bancada o ajuste forneceu um coeficiente de dispersão igual a zero. A variação do parâmetro cinético ao longo do reator foi investigada, verificando que esta variação não é responsável pelo desvio entre os dados experimentais e os previstos pelo modelo.

This thesis aims to find out the effective diffusivity (Deff) of a porous material – γ-alumina, using an unsteady state method with two inert gases at ambient condition with no reactions. For porous materials, Deff is important because it determines the amount of reactants that transfers to the surface of pores. When Deff is known, the apparent tortuosity factor of γ-alumina is calculated using the parallel pore model. The apparent tortuosity factor is important because: (a) it can be used to back-calculate Deff at reacting conditions; (b) once Deff with reactions is known, the Thiele modulus can be calculated and hence the global reaction rate can be found; (c) apparent tortuosity factor is also important for modelling purposes (e.g. modelling a packed-bed column or a catalytic combustion reactor packed with porous γ-alumina in various shapes and monoliths). Experimental measurements were performed to determine the effective diffusivity of a binary pair of non-reacting gases (He in N2, and N2 in He) in spherical γ-alumina pellets (1 mm diameter), and in γ-alumina washcoated monoliths (washcoat thickness 20 to 60 µm, on 400 cpsi (cells per square inch) cordierite support). The method used is based on the chromatographic technique, where a gas flows through a tube, which is packed with the sample to be tested. A pulse of tracer gas is injected (e.g. using sample loops: 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 ml) and by using an on-line mass spectrometer the response in the outlet of the packed bed is monitored over time. For the spherical pellets, the tube i.d. = 13.8 mm and the packed bed depths were 200 and 400 mm. For monoliths the tube i.d. = 7 mm and the packed lengths were 500 and 1000 mm. When the chromatographic technique was applied to the monoliths, it was observed that experimental errors can be significant, and it is very difficult to interpret the data. However, the technique worked well with the spherical pellets, and the effective diffusivity of He in N2 was 0.75 – 1.38 × 10-7 m2 s-1, and for N2 in He was 1.81 – 3.10 × 10-7 m2 s-1. Using the parallel pore model to back-calculate the apparent tortuosity factor, then a value between 5 to 9.5 was found for the pellets.