The objective of this study was to provide a technique, based on the residence time
distribution of a process, for modelling, assessing and improving flow in the processes
of water and waste water treatment works. The technique should be accessible to the
staff managing and operating the works.
From a review of the literature, a preference was given for the experimental method
used for determination of the tracer response, including choice of tracer and tracer
addition and monitoring. Data analysis techniques were reviewed, and the method of
time domain fitting was developed into a computer program, IMPULSE. IMPULSE
provided a tool for analysis of residence time data, and removed the constraint of
numerical complexity. Using the building blocks of IMPULSE, a realistic flow model
can be constructed from tracer data and evaluated. IMPULSE allows a quantitative
comparison of models proposed for a process, and provides the parameters of the models.
These parameters quantify the non-idealities in a process. A knowledge of the
non-idealities provides a basis for decision-making when modifying a process.
The results of tracer experiments performed on some water and waste water treatment
processes were analysed using IMPULSE. The results showed that collection of good
experimental data was critical to the success of the analysis.
It is proposed that a guide be produced which draws out the main points raised in the
study, including collection of tracer data and use of IMPULSE. The guide should be
accessible and easily understandable to the staff managing and operating water and
waste water treatment works. / Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1995.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ukzn/oai:http://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za:10413/11267 |
| Date | 23 September 2014 |
| Creators | Barnett, Jacqueline Lisa. |
| Contributors | Buckley, Christopher A. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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