Mathematical modeling of physicochemical iron removal from groundwater at rapid filters

• Published in: Chemical engineering science Vol. 231; p. 116318
• Main Authors: Poliakov, Vadim, Martynov, Serhii
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 15.02.2021
• Subjects: Autocatalysis; Deep bed filtration; Deposition; Exact solution; Oxidation; Physicochemical iron removal; Physicochemical iron removal; Oxidation; Deep bed filtration; Autocatalysis; Deposition; Exact solution
• ISSN: 0009-2509; 1873-4405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2020.116318

•The mathematical model of iron removal with three compartments is developed.•Primarily the limited absorption capacity of the filtration material is evaluated.•The irregularity of a deposit distribution by height increases over time.•Autocatalytic effect accelerates the deposit accumulation. The article outlines the formulation of the general mathematical problem of underground water iron removal using rapid filters. The process reflects Fe existence in two forms and mechanical states, describes a complex of mode-forming processes (mass transfer, filtration, adsorption, deposition, oxidation, hydration, consolidation), takes into account the limited absorption resource of the filter medium and its consequences, fresh deposit activity. The autocatalytic effect was estimated based on a local task of Fe removal at inlet section of a filter medium. Correction coefficients to account for the effect were introduced. The exact solution of the basic task was obtained without autocatalysis. It was generalized using the indicated coefficients mentioned before. A great number examples are provided to prove the precedence of the development of a rational algorithm of iron removal to control head losses, using own and numerous publications.