CFD study on hydraulic performance of subsurface flow constructed wetland: Effect of distribution and catchment area

• DOI: 10.1007/s11814-009-0222-7
• Publication Date: 2010-02-13T03:52:37Z
• Authors: Liwei Fan; Reti Hai; Zexiang Lu
• Keywords: 0211 other engineering and technologies; 02 engineering and technology; 6. Clean water

A subsurface flow constructed wetland (SSFW) was simulated by using a commercial computational fluid dynamic (CFD) code (Fluent 6.22, Fluent Inc.). The liquid residence time distribution in the SSFW was obtained by the particle trajectory model. The simulation confirmed that the effect of the distribution and/or catchment area on the hydraulic efficiency is significant. An inappropriate horizontal distribution and/or catchment area can result in poor hydraulic efficiency. The hydraulic efficiency of the SSFW with the vertical distribution and/or catchment area can be kept at a high level (above 0.898). The design of the vertical distribution and/or catchment area in the SSFW is better than that of the horizontal. From the point of view of the engineering design, a small dimension distribution and/or catchment area in the SSFW is advisable, which maintains a considerable hydraulic efficiency of the SSFW (above 0.840), but also benefits the increase of the purge area.