Abstract

The escalating temperatures linked to global warming are having a direct effect on the efficiency of aeration tanks, which play a crucial role in the biological processes of wastewater treatment systems. In particular, rising temperatures can modify the physical characteristics of water, resulting in notable changes in flow patterns and the distribution of dissolved oxygen. This research included field measurements taken in a full-scale aeration tank at the Bursa Eastern Wastewater Treatment Plant, where the current flow dynamics of the system were analyzed. Velocity measurements were recorded at eight distinct locations around the baffle walls, and the outputs from the numerical model were compared with these measurements to evaluate the models accuracy through relative error analysis. After validation, a scenario reflecting the maximum operating temperature set by the facility was developed, adjusting only the viscosity and density parameters while maintaining all other boundary conditions constant for the CFD analysis. Visual assessments conducted through streamline analysis indicated that the rise in temperature modifies the flow pattern and induces changes in the configuration of low-velocity areas.

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