Application of computational fluid dynamic to model the hydraulic performance of subsurface flow wetlands

A subsurface flow wetland(SSFW)was simulated using a commercial computational fluid dynamic(CFD)code.The constructed media was simulated using porous media and the liquid resident time distribution(RTD)in the SSFW was obtained using the particle trajectory model.The effect of wetland configuration and operating conditions on the hydraulic performance of the SSFW were investigated.The results indicated that the hydraulic performance of the SSFW was predominantly affected by the wetland configuration.The hydr...

Research on Nitrogen Removal and Microorganism in a Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetland System in Sihong County

Experiments in monitoring the removal of organic material and nitrogen and determining the amounts of mi- croorganism at different sites in the subsurface flow constructed wetland in Sihong county were performed. The results show that the removal of CODCr agrees with the kinetic equation of a first order reaction. The removal of pollutants varies with different seasons. The removal rates of CODCr, NH3-N, TN in the spring are 15%–23% higher than those in the autumn. The amount of ammonifier is larger than that of denitrifying bacteria and the amount of denitrifying bacte- ria is larger than that of nitrosomonas. The amount of bacteria around the plant roots is larger than that on the surface of the packing medium. No apparent change is observed for the amount of denitrifying bacteria and nitrosomonas between spring and autumn.

Modeling on Residence Time Distribution in Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetlands by Multi Flow Dispersion Model

As an important design factor for constructed wetlands,hydraulic retention time and its distribution will affect the treatment performance.Instantaneously injected sodium chloride tracers were used to obtain residence time distributions of the lab scale subsurface flow constructed wetland.Considering the presence of trailing and multiple peaks of the tracer breakthrough curve,the multi flow dispersion model(MFDM)was used to fit the experimental tracer breakthrough curves.According to the residual sum of squares and comparison between the experimental values and simulated values of the tracer concentration,MFDM could fit the residence time distribution(RTD)curve satisfactorily,the results of which also reflected the layered structure of wetland cells,thus to give reference for application of MFDM to the same kind of subsurface flow constructed wetlands.

Subsurface Flow Processes in Sloping Cropland of Purple Soil

Subsurface flow is a prominent runoff process in sloping lands of purple soil in the upper Yangtze River basin.However,it remains difficult to identify and quantify.In this study,in situ runoff experimental plots were used to measure soil moisture dynamics using an array of time domain reflectometry(TDR) together with overland flow and subsurface flow using isolated collecting troughs.Frequency of preferential flow during rainfall events and the controls of subsurface flow processes were investigated through combined analysis of soil properties,topography,rainfall intensity,initial wetness,and tillage.Results showed that subsurface flow was ubiquitous in purple soil profiles due to welldeveloped macropores,especially in surface soils while frequency of preferential flow occurrence was very low(only 2 cases in plot C) during all 22 rainfall events.Dry antecedent moisture conditions promoted the occurrence of preferential flow.However,consecutive real-time monitoring of soil moisture at different depths and various slope positions implied the possible occurrence of multiple subsurface lateral flows during intensive storms.Rainfall intensity,tillage operation,and soil properties were recognized as main controls of subsurface flow in the study area,which allows the optimization of management practices for alleviating adverse environmental effects of subsurface flow in the region.

A two-dimensional numerical model coupled with multiple hillslope hydrodynamic processes and its application to subsurface flow simulation

A numerical hillslope hydrodynamic model is of great importance in facilitating the understanding of rainfall-runoff mechanism.However,most of the currently existing models do not consider the effect of coupled hydrodynamic processes as runoff,subsurface flow or groundwater flow.In this study,the Tsinghua Hillslope Runoff Model based on multiple hydrodynamic process,THRM model,is developed,which couples with Saint Venant equation for surface runoff and Richards equation for variably saturated soil water movement(including subsurface flow and groundwater flow).A finite difference scheme with improved boundary conditions is adopted in this research.It is revealed from the simulation that the THRM model has a high computational efficiency and stability in simulating subsurface flow of the experimental hillslope,which is valuable in assessing the hillslope runoff generation mechanism.A model based sensitivity analysis is also carried out.The impact of boundary condition,grid size and initial soil moisture on simulation result and model stability are revealed,which provides insightful references to understand the mechanism of subsurface flow.

Relationships between loading rates and nitrogen removal effectiveness in subsurface flow constructed wetlands

Nitrogen removal of wetlands under 40 differ-ent inflow loadings were studied in the field during 15months. The removal efficiency of four different sets ofbeds, namely the reed bed, the Zizania caduciflor bed, themixing planting bed, and the control bed were studied.The outflow loading and total nitrogen (TN) removal rateof these beds under different inflow loadings and pollutionloadings were investigated. The inflow loadings of 4 sub-surface flow systems (SFS) ranged from 400 to 8000 mg·(m^(2) ·d) 21 , while outflow loadings were less than 7000 mg·(m^(2) ·d) 21 . The results showed that the inflow and outflowloading of TN removal rate in SFS presented an obviouslinear relationship. The optical inflow loading to run thesystem was between 2000 to 4000 mg·(m^(2) ·d) 21 . Averageremoval rate was between 1062 and 2007 mg·(m^(2) ·d) 21 .SFS with plant had a better removal rate than the control.TN removal rates of the reed and Zizania caduciflora bedwere 63% and 27% higher than the control bed,respectively. The results regarding the TN absorption ofplants indicated that the absorption amount was verylimited, less than 5% of the total removal. It proved thatplants clearly increase TN removal rates by improving thewater flow, andincreasingthe biomass, as wellas activitiesof microorganisms around the roots. The researchprovided a perspective for understanding the TN removalmechanism and design for SFS.

Performance of a subsurface-flow constructed wetland in Southern China

The operational performance of a full scale subsurface flow constructed wetland, which treated the mixed industrial and domestic wastewater with BOD 5/COD mean ratio of 0 33 at Shatian, Shenzhen City was studied. The constructed wetland system consists of screens, sump, pumping station, and primary settling basin, facultative pond, first stage wetland and secondary stage wetland. The designed treatment capacity is 5000 m 3/d, and the actual influent flow is in the range of <2000 to >10000 m 3/d. Under normal operational conditions, the final effluent quality well met the National Integrated Wastewater Discharge Standard(GB 8978\_1996), with the following parameters(mean values): COD 33 90 mg/L, BOD 5 7.65 mg/L, TSS 7.92 mg/L, TN 9.11 mg/L and TP 0 56 mg/L. Seven species of plants were selected to grow in the wetland: Reed, Sweetcane flower Silvergrass, Great Bulrush, Powdery Thalia and Canna of three colours. The growing season is a whole year round. The seasonal discrepancy could be observed and the plants growing in the wetland are vulnerable to lower temperature in winter. The recycling of the effluent in the first stage of the wetland system is an effective measure to improve the performance of the wetland system. The insufficient DO value in the wetland system not only had significant effect on pollutants removal in the wetland, but also was unfavourable to plant growth. The recycling of effluent to the inlet of wetland system and artificial pond to increase DO value of influent to the wetland is key to operate the subsurface constructed wetland steadily and effectively.

Rill flow velocity affected by the subsurface water flow depth of purple soil in Southwest China

Subsurface water flow above the weakly permeable soil layer commonly occurs on purple soil slopes.However,it remains difficult to quantify the effect of subsurface water flow on the surface flow velocity.Laboratory experiments were performed to measure the rill flow velocity on purple soil slopes containing a subsurface water flow layer with the electrolyte tracer method considering 3 subsurface water flow depths(SWFDs:5,10,and 15 cm),3 flow rates(FRs:2,4,and 8 L min^(-1)),and 4 slope gradients(SGs:5°,10°,15°,and 20°).As a result,the pulse boundary model fit the electrolyte transport processes very well under the different SWFDs.The measured rill flow velocities were 0.202 to 0.610 m s^(-1) under the various SWFDs.Stepwise regression results indicated a positive dependence of the flow velocity on the FR and SG but a negative dependence on the SWFD.The SWFD had notable effects on the rill flow velocity.Decreasing the SWFD from 15 to 5 cm increased the flow velocity.Moreover,the flow velocities under the 10-and 15-cm SWFDs were 89%and 86%,respectively,of that under the 5-cm SWFD.The flow velocity under the 5-,10-and 15-cm SWFDs was decreased to 89%,80%,and 77%,respectively,of that on saturated soil slopes.The results will enhance the understanding of rill flow hydrological processes under SWFD impact.

Design of Constructed Wetland for Treatment of Tailwater from Wastewater Treatment Plant

In this study, the project of constructed wetland for treatment of tailwater from the wastewater treatment plant in Wudang Mountain was taken as an example, and the technological processes, pollution load, wetland bed structure, bed filler, selection of plants and hydraulic conditions of the subsurface flow constructed wetland were discussed. A subsurface flow constructed wetland, which covered an area of 7 227 m^2 was finally designed. It could treat 7 000 m^3 of tailwater from the wastewater treatment plant a day. In addition, the system could reduce the emission of COD, BODs, TN, TP and NH3-N by 25.55, 25.55, 12.78, 1.28 and 17.89 t respectively a day. The outlet water was proved to reach the Standard A of the first class in Discharge Standard of Pollutants for Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant （GB 18918-2002）.

Effect of Different Factors on Nitrogen Removal Rate in Constructed Wetlands

Factors affecting total nitrogen(TN) removal rates in constructed wetland were investigated by intermittent operation in the subsurface flow(SSF) constructed wetland system.The results demonstrated that removal rates of TN increased with the rising of TN pollution load(1.40-12.40 g/m2) when the retention time was determined by 60% TN removal efficiency(n=180,p<0.05) in SSF wetlands.The maximum TN removal rate was 1.71 g/(m2·d) in SSF Phragmites australis-soil-slag system.TN removal rates were affected by total phosphorus load in case of higher TN load.TN removal rates in SSF Phragmites australis wetlands were greater than that in SSF Calamagrostis angustifolia wetlands at the same experimental cycle.Effect of wetland substrates on TN removal rates varied with the pollutants loading in SSF constructed wetland system,plant species and plant-growing period.

Hydrological Responses and Flow Pathways in an Acrisol on a Forested Hillslope with a Monsoonal Subtropical Climate

The nature of subsurface flow depends largely on hydraulic conductivity of the vadoze zone, permeability of the underlying bedrock, existence of soil layers differing in hydraulic properties and macropore content, soil depth, and slope angle.Quantification of flow pathways on forested hillslopes is essential to understand hydrological dynamics and solute transport patterns.Acrisols, with their argic Bt horizons, are challenging in this respect.To further elucidate flow pathways of water and short-term variability of soil moisture patterns in Acrisols, a field study was conducted on a forested hillslope in a sub-catchment of the Tie Shan Ping(TSP)watershed, 25 km northeast of Chongqing City, China.This catchment is covered by a mixed secondary forest dominated by Masson pine(Pinus massoniana).Soil saturated hydraulic conductivity(K sat) was significantly reduced at the interface between the AB and Bt horizons(2.6 × 10^(-5) vs.1.2 × 10^(-6) m s^(-1)), which led to that the flow volume generated in the Bt horizon was of little quantitative importance compared to that in the AB horizon.There was a marked decrease in porosity between the OA and AB horizons, with a further decrease deeper in the mineral subsoil.Especially, the content of soil pores > 300 μm was higher in the AB horizon(14.3%)than in the Bt horizon(6.5%).This explained the difference in soil K sat values.This study showed that Bt horizon had limited water transport capability, forcing part of the infiltrated rainwater as interflow through the OA and AB horizons.Thus, the topsoil responded quickly to rainfall events, causing frequent cycles of saturation and aeration of soil pores.

A review of rapid transport of pesticides from sloping farmland to surface waters: Processes and mitigation strategies

Pesticides applied to sloping farmland may lead to surface water contamination through rapid transport processes as influenced by the complex topography and high spatial variability of soil properties and land use in hilly or mountainous regions. However, the fate of pesticides applied to sloping farmland has not been sufficiently elucidated. This article reviews the current understanding of pesticide transport from sloping farmland to surface water. It examines overland flow and subsurface lateral flow in areas where surface soil is underlain by impervious subsoil or rocks and tile drains. It stresses the importance of quantifying and modeling the contributions of various pathways to rapid pesticide loss at catchment and regional scales. Such models could be used in scenario studies for evaluating the effectiveness of possible mitigation strategies such as constructing vegetated strips, depressions, wetlands and drainage ditches, and implementing good agricultural practices. Field monitoring studies should also be conducted to calibrate and validate the transport models as well as biophysical-economic models, to optimize mitigation measures in areas dominated by sloping farmland.

Flame Spread over Aviation Kerosene with an Obstacle in Liquid Phase

The phenomena of flame spread over aviation kerosene with an obstacle in liquid phase are investigated experimentally through surface temperature measurement by using infrared camera,schlieren images of subsurface flow in front of and behind obstacle and residence time of flame obtained from video recording.Experimental results reveal that obstacle has no effect on gas phase controlled flame spread.But for liquid phase controlled flame spread,flame can be stopped by an obstacle with its top edge flush with oil surface,and the residence time decreases with the increase of initial temperature of fuel.That conduction and radiation only play a subsidiary role in flame spread over liquid fuel was proved by schlieren images and surface temperature profiles.

A fully-explicit discontinuous Galerkin hydrodynamic model for variably-saturated porous media

Groundwater flows play a key role in the recharge of aquifers, the transport of solutes through subsurface systems or the control of surface runoff. Predicting these processes requires the use of groundwater models with their applicability directly linked to their accuracy and computational efficiency. In this paper, we present a new method to model water dynamics in variably- saturated porous media. Our model is based on a fully-explicit discontinuous-Galerkin formulation of the 3D Richards equation, which shows a perfect scaling on parallel architectures. We make use of an adapted jump penalty term for the discontinuous-Galerkin scheme and of a slope limiter algorithm to produce oscillation-free exactly conservative solutions. We show that such an approach is particularly well suited to infiltration fronts. The model results are in good agreement with the reference model Hydrus-lD and seem promising for large scale applications involving a coarse representation of saturated soil.