Link to the University of Pittsburgh Homepage
Link to the University Library System Homepage Link to the Contact Us Form

Modeling of the Flow Dynamics through Incompressible Porous Media in Solid-Liquid Filtration

Zhang, Siying (2020) Modeling of the Flow Dynamics through Incompressible Porous Media in Solid-Liquid Filtration. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

[img]
Preview
PDF
Download (5MB) | Preview

Abstract

Solid-liquid filtration is a long-standing engineering practice and has been widely used in the chemical, process and mineral industries. Current models are semi-empirical in nature; thus, they require significant experimental and/or computational resources in order to determine the empirical quantities. In contrast, this dissertation provides a model to predict the dynamic behavior for both the liquid and solid phase of a filtration process without the requirement of empirical parameters. Instead, the model relies solely on the to-be-captured particle size distribution of contaminants as well as the pore size distribution of the filtration media. The new algorithm is capable of describing filtration based on both “steric” capture of contaminants as well as capture within dead-end pores in the material.
This dissertation shows the performance of the model in modeling beds comprised of high void fraction materials (diatomaceous earth) that is used for the removal of multi-modal mixtures of contaminant. By formally accounting for the complex pore size distribution, the predict flow dynamics that are much closer to experimental results than the predictions of the traditional Kozeny-Carmen (K-C) model and show that this approach is viable for both statically formed and evolving (dynamic) beds. In an effort to understand the relationship between flow dynamics and pore size distribution more fully, a dynamic filter cake model is proposed that continuously modifies the pore size distribution as contaminants (polydispere spheres) are deposited. This dissertation also describes a simulation model capable of describing the capture of spherical particles within dead-end pores. A 3D discrete element method-lattice Boltzmann method (DEM-LBM) coupling approach is applied to investigate the particle capture under conditions of different particle size and pore structures. Both the pressure drop and the fluid density are examined to indicate this capture performance. The predicted flow dynamics of this new model match the dynamic experimental results remarkably well, setting the stage for a priori prediction of filtration times, flow-rates, particle capture, and pressure requirements from simple measurements of the size distribution of both the filter media pores as well as the contaminant particles/droplets.


Share

Citation/Export:
Social Networking:
Share |

Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Zhang, Siyingsiz15@pitt.edusiz150000-0003-4070-9519
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairMcCarthy, Josephjjmcc@pitt.edujjmcc0000-0002-2841-3128
Committee MemberEnick, Robertrme@pitt.edurme0000-0003-1801-8033
Committee MemberBunger, Andrewbunger@pitt.edubunger0000-0002-0696-7066
Committee MemberNg, Carlacarla.ng@pitt.educarla.ng0000-0001-5521-7862
Date: 29 January 2020
Date Type: Publication
Defense Date: 17 July 2019
Approval Date: 29 January 2020
Submission Date: 15 July 2019
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Number of Pages: 173
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: Swanson School of Engineering > Chemical Engineering
Degree: PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
Thesis Type: Doctoral Dissertation
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: Cake Filtration; Depth Filtration; Deep Depth Filtration
Related URLs:
Date Deposited: 29 Jan 2020 15:43
Last Modified: 29 Jan 2020 15:43
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/37105

Metrics

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics


Actions (login required)

View Item View Item