Improvement of an unbaffled stirred tank mixing characteristics using variable speed impeller
Gebouský, Ondřej; Haidl, Jan; Bodnár, J.; Pivokonský, Martin
2024 - English
Unbaffled mixing tanks with magnetically driven impellers are increasingly used in biotechnological and pharmaceutical industries, combining the benefits of a closed, sterile environment with easy equipment cleanability. On the other hand, missing internals, such as baffles or cooling coils, have an adverse effect on the equipment mixing characteristics, namely the batch\nhomogenization time. In our previous research, we uncovered that the eccentricity and inclination of the impeller – both employed routinely to enhance the mixing characteristics of unbaffled vessels – are not fully effective in the suppression of central vortex formation resulting in the increase in the homogenization time. In this work, we propose a simple solution to counteract the central vortex formation – a periodical variation of impeller rotational speed. This approach destabilizes the central vortex, significantly reducing homogenization time while maintaining the benefits of the original unbaffled setup. This innovation can seamlessly integrate into existing industrial setups, promising efficiency gains for biotech and pharmaceutical production.
Keywords:
unbaffled mixing tanks; variable rotational speed; vortex destabilization; mixing time improvement
Available in digital repository of the ASCR
Improvement of an unbaffled stirred tank mixing characteristics using variable speed impeller
Unbaffled mixing tanks with magnetically driven impellers are increasingly used in biotechnological and pharmaceutical industries, combining the benefits of a closed, sterile environment with easy ...
Flow simulations approach for flocculation tanks
Idžakovičová, Kristýna; Bílek, Vojtěch; Haidl, Jan; Isoz, M.; Pivokonský, Martin
2024 - English
Flocculation in water treatment facilities plays a key role in the separation of colloidal inorganic and organic substances. Its optimization leads to a significant increase in its efficiency and savings of operational costs. However, it is currently based on trial-and-error experimental approaches. In this contribution, we focus on flow modeling in stirred flocculation tanks that would, after coupling with a calibrated model of particle aggregation, enable simulationbased flocculation optimization. Despite the abundance of literature on stirred tank modeling, there is no universal agreement on the methodology used to describe turbulence nor on the approach to the computational mesh creation. Consequently, there is no unified methodology for simulations and their validation. To address this, we present a best-practice methodology for economical, yet reliable flow simulations in the said device. This methodology includes the choice of the turbulence model, the approach to the design of a high quality mesh suitable for arbitrary geometries, and results evaluation. It is developed based on an extensive literature review, a multitude of flow simulations using several meshes of progressively higher quality and resolution, and various strategies to converge to steady-state flow conditions. The simulation quality indicators used here involve comparison with the experimental data on fluid velocity, stirrer power output, and flow rate through the impeller zone. Additionally, the resulting flow simulation models are compared using tracer transport simulations, hinting at their potential for coupling with particle aggregation models.
Keywords:
flocculation tank; stirring; MRF; CFD; OpenFOAM
Available in digital repository of the ASCR
Flow simulations approach for flocculation tanks
Flocculation in water treatment facilities plays a key role in the separation of colloidal inorganic and organic substances. Its optimization leads to a significant increase in its efficiency and ...
Runoff from a mainly peat bog basin
Vlček, Lukáš; Falátková, Kristýna
2023 - Czech
This research focuses on the basin's hydrological regime, where peatlands make up approximately half of the area. Hydrological processes in the peat bog and the surrounding forest were evaluated using the HBV model. The results show that the peatlands significantly increase the water regime fluctuation of local streams. Moreover, water balance shows a lower cooling effect of tree-less peat bogs than forests on organo-mineral soils. Except for a positive ecological aspect, peatland restoration can have a negative hydrological impact on the surrounding landscape and local streams. Příspěvek se věnuje hydrologickému režimu povodí, kde rašeliniště tvoří přibližně polovinu rozlohy. Pomocí modelu byly hodnoceny hydrologické procesy v rašeliništi a okolním lese. Z výsledků vyplývá, že rašeliniště výrazně zvyšuje fluktuaci vodního režimu místních toků. Vodní bilance zase ukazuje snížený ochalozovací efekt rašelinišť bez stromového patra oproti lesům na organominerální půdě. Revitalizace rašelinišť tak může mít kromě pozitivního ekologického aspektu negativní hydroogický dopad na okolní krajinu a místní toky.
Keywords:
water balance; peat bog; runoff formation
Fulltext is available at external website.
Runoff from a mainly peat bog basin
This research focuses on the basin's hydrological regime, where peatlands make up approximately half of the area. Hydrological processes in the peat bog and the surrounding forest were evaluated using ...
Time variabilty of soil hydraulic properties and their impact on soil moisture estimation
Šípek, Václav; Vlček, Lukáš; Tesař, Miroslav; Zelíková, Nikol; Hnilica, Jan
2023 - Czech
The study was focused on the temporal variability of saturated hydraulic conductivity in an experimental plot covered by spruce forest and investigated benefits of its incorporation into soil water balance model. The results showed that the higher saturated hydraulic conductivity (33.6-44.8 cm hr-1) was observed in summer period compared to lower values (13.2-22.3 cm hr-1) in the winter period. The use of seasonally variabile saturated hydraulic conductivity improved the efficiency of soil water balance model in terms of lower root mean square error between observed and simulated volumetric soil water content by 33.2 %. The Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient rose from 0.34 to 0.68. Půdní vlhkost hraje významnou roli v hydrologickém cyklu, protože zásadně ovlivňuje proudění vody v systému voda-půda-rostlina. Studie je zaměřena na celoroční odhad nasycení půdního profilu vodou v zalesněném horském území s využitím jednoduchého modelu založenému na konceptu lineární nádrže. Studie je založena na terénním měření nasycené hydraulické vodivosti a zavedení periodické funkce nasycené hydraulické vodivosti do modelu půdní vlhkosti, která možní její sezónní proměnlivost. \nPrůměrná nasycená hydraulická vodivost měřená jednoválcovým infiltrometrem byla v průběhu dvou let vždy vyšší ve vegetačním období, kdy se pohybovala od 33,6 do 44,8 cm hod-1, oproti zimním období, kdy poklesla do rozmezí 13,2 až 22,3 cm hod-1. Do modelu půdní vlhkosti byla implementována funkce, která umožnila spojitou změnu nasycené hydraulické vodivosti s maximem ve vegetační sezóně a minimum v zimním období. Tato modifikace modelu půdní vlhkosti vedla k poklesu průměrné čtvercové chyby odhadu půdní vlhkosti o 33,2 % (z 0,034 cm3cm-3 na 0,023 cm3cm-3) a nárůstu hodnoty Nash-Sutcliffova koeficientu z 0,34 na 0,68. Výsledky studie přispějí k přesnějšímu celoročnímu odhadu půdní vlhkosti, a tedy i ke zlepšení dlouhodobých simulací vlivu klimatické změny na dostupnost vodních zdrojů.\n
Keywords:
soil moisture; soil hydraulic properties; saturated hydraulic conductivity; climate change
Fulltext is available at external website.
Time variabilty of soil hydraulic properties and their impact on soil moisture estimation
The study was focused on the temporal variability of saturated hydraulic conductivity in an experimental plot covered by spruce forest and investigated benefits of its incorporation into soil water ...
Where and how much water do trees transport? Modelling the impact of spruce and beech stands on soil water fluxes during extreme climatic conditions
Zelíková, Nikol; Šípek, Václav
2023 - Czech
Soil moisture links processes that influence the entire hydrological cycle and thus the availability of water resources. One important factor influencing these processes is the presence of vegetation. Research on the interactions between vegetation, its management and the processes affecting soil water fluxes is of particular importance in times of ongoing climate change and land cover changes. However, the complexity of these interactions, further influenced by differences between plant species, makes this research more difficult. Land cover change is also taking place in Czechia, specifically in the replacement of spruce monocultures by beech. Therefore, this study investigates the influence of two types of forest stands, spruce (Picea abies) and beech (Fagus sylvatica), on the soil water regime in the experimental Liz catchment in Bohemian Forest, Czechia. This was performed by (1) evaluating differences in soil moisture based on twenty years of measured data and (2) obtaining the two components of the soil water balance (transpiration and percolation) at two plots (beech and spruce) using a soil water balance model. Analysis of the long-term soil moisture data show slightly lower soil moisture values under the beech stands, which disappear when comparing the annual mean values. Differences are evident when evaluating average soil moisture data with depth, where the topmost layer of the soil profile at the spruce site has on average 6% higher soil water content than beech. At the start of the growing season the soil moisture was initially drier under spruce, due to its earlier start of transpiration. This difference was reduced over the season by the intensive transpiration of beech. The outputs of the balance model indicated a higher rate of actual evapotranspiration of beech and a higher rate of percolation of spruce every year. This effect was more pronounced over the dry years, whereas in years with sufficient rainfall the differences were minimal. Thus, the replacement of spruce trees by beech trees may affect the rate of groundwater recharge. Půdní vlhkost propojuje takové procesy, které ovlivňují celý hydrologický cyklus, a tím i dostupnost vodních zdrojů. Jedním z významných faktorů ovlivňující tyto procesy je přítomnost vegetace. Výzkum interakcí mezi vegetací, jejím managementem a procesy ovlivňující toky půdní vody nabývá na významu zejména v době probíhajících klimatických změn i změn krajinného pokryvu. Avšak komplexnost těchto interakcí, ovlivněná navíc jejich rozdílností mezi jednotlivými rostlinnými druhy tento výzkum ztěžuje. Proměna krajinného pokryvu probíhá také v českém lesnictví, konkrétně v podobě obměny smrkových monokultur buky. V této studii je proto zkoumán vliv dvou typů lesních porostů, smrku ztepilého (Picea abies) a buku lesního (Fagus sylvatica), na vodní režim půdy v experimentálním povodí Liz na Šumavě. A to (1) zjištěním rozdílů v množství půdní vláhy na základě dvaceti let naměřených dat a (2) získáním složek vodní bilance (transpirace a perkolace) na těchto dvou kontrastních plochách pomocí modelu bilance půdní vody. Z analýzy dlouhodobých dat půdních vlhkostí vyplývají nepatrně nižší hodnoty půdních vlhkostí pod porosty buku, které zanikají při srovnání průměrných ročních hodnot. Odlišnosti jsou patrné při hodnocení průměrných vlhkostí s hloubkou, kde v nejsvrchnější vrstvě půdního profilu smrk disponuje v průměru o 6 % vyššími zásobami půdní vody než buk. Z pohledu vývoje půdních vlhkostí během vegetační sezóny je půda z počátku sušší pod smrkem, který započíná svou transpiraci dříve. Tento rozdíl je v průběhu sezóny zredukován intenzivní transpirací buku. Výstupy bilančního modelu poukázaly na vyšší míru aktuální evapotranspirace buku a vyšší míru perkolace smrku během každého roku. Tento jev byl zvýrazněn během suchých let, kdežto v letech s dostatkem srážek byly rozdíly minimální. Zvýšení četnosti buku v krajině, tak může ovlivnit míru dotace podzemních vod.
Keywords:
soil water balance; transpiration; percolation; land cover change; drought
Fulltext is available at external website.
Where and how much water do trees transport? Modelling the impact of spruce and beech stands on soil water fluxes during extreme climatic conditions
Soil moisture links processes that influence the entire hydrological cycle and thus the availability of water resources. One important factor influencing these processes is the presence of vegetation. ...
Temperature regime of forest soils
Dohnal, M.; Votrubová, J.; Mazúchová, R.; Blunár, P.; Tesař, Miroslav
2023 - Czech
Contribution deals with the monitoring of the temperature regime of forest soils and the soil heat flux at small mountainous basins Liz in the Šumava Mts. and Uhlířská in the Jizera Mts. Soil temperatures are measured with the help of soil moisture meters (Pt100 at Liz basin and CS107 at Uhlířská basin), the soil heat flux is measured with the use of the sensor Hukseflux HFP01. Measured results were statistically evaluated, the analysis of the consistence of the measurement was done and cumulative soil heat fluxes were calculated for the individual hydrological years. S postupující automatizací, digitalizací a lepší dostupností pokročilých meteorologických a hydrologických přístrojů pro kontinuální sledování malých povodí jsou metody a postupy vycházející z bilance energie stále častěji vyhodnocovány v subdenním časovém kroku. V těchto případech již není možné dostupnou energii ztotožnit s čistou radiací a zanedbat tok tepla do půdy. Nevhodně zavedené předpoklady o velikosti toku tepla do půdy nebo použití příliš zjednodušených výpočetních postupů k jeho určení, vnášejí do zdánlivě přesnějších, ale ve skutečnosti pouze v čase podrobnějších, výpočtů značné nejistoty. Monitoring teplotního režimu půd a toků tepla do půdy, tak má velký význam pro ověření používaných výpočetních postupů a lepší pochopení omezení plynoucích z dlouhodobě využívaných předpokladů.
Keywords:
soil temperature; heat flux; HUKSEFLUX; Liz catchment
Fulltext is available at external website.
Temperature regime of forest soils
Contribution deals with the monitoring of the temperature regime of forest soils and the soil heat flux at small mountainous basins Liz in the Šumava Mts. and Uhlířská in the Jizera Mts. Soil ...
Dynamics of surface water quality changes in model headwater areas of the Czech Republic
Fraindová, K.; Matoušková, M.; Kliment, Z.; Vlček, Lukáš; Vlach, V.; Šajnarová, L.
2023 - English
River headwaters have a high environmental value. Unfortunately, the biogeochemical processes in headwaters in context of different rainfall-runoff conditions and specific land cover have not been fully examined. This study focuses on changes in correlations of 16 biogeochemical parameters related to different types of rainfall-runoff events and land cover condition for eight headwater catchments in Central Europe. Multiple methods as linear regression, Spearman rank correlation, Principal Components Analysis and C/Q hysteresis loops revealed main relationships. Presence of peatlands and waterlogged spruce forests had decisive influence on the biogeochemistry (mainly for CODMn, humins, Fe, P-PO43− TP, and N-NO3−). The strongest positive correlation of organic matter (CODMn) and Fe is represented in a catchment with the largest area of damaged forest (70%), but with a smaller proportion of wetlands (8%). High flow rates influence the release of greater amounts of organic matter and N-NO3−.
Keywords:
headwater areas; organic matter; waterlogged areas; peatbogs; raifall-runoff events; water quality; electric conductivity
Fulltext is available at external website.
Dynamics of surface water quality changes in model headwater areas of the Czech Republic
River headwaters have a high environmental value. Unfortunately, the biogeochemical processes in headwaters in context of different rainfall-runoff conditions and specific land cover have not been ...
Summary of the Liquid-Gas Ejector Hydraulic Behavior - Theory and Practice
Gebouský, Ondřej; Haidl, Jan
2023 - English
Liquid-gas ejectors (LGEs) are fascinating devices that use the kinetic energy of the liquid jet to entrain and eventually compress the gas. LGEs find applications in both industry and everyday life, e.g., as sprayers. However, a complex and reliable method for LGE design was not available in the open literature until recently. This contribution follows up on our recent works about the hydraulic behavior of LGE with undisturbed and destabilized liquid jets. This paper aims to summarize the device’s complicated hydraulics and characterize its optimal design for three industrially relevant applications - (a) LGE as the vacuum pump, (b) LGE as the gas purification equipment, and (c) LGE as the gas distributor for bioreactors.
Keywords:
liquid-gas ejector; jet pump; design method
Available in digital repository of the ASCR
Summary of the Liquid-Gas Ejector Hydraulic Behavior - Theory and Practice
Liquid-gas ejectors (LGEs) are fascinating devices that use the kinetic energy of the liquid jet to entrain and eventually compress the gas. LGEs find applications in both industry and everyday life, ...
Instruments for precipitation measurement from history to the present
Lipina, P.; Procházka, J.; Tesař, Miroslav
2023 - Czech
The precipitation amount is one of the most important meteorological elements. It is of fundamental importance for the creation of climatological characteristics, it is the basis of the water balance and the primarily monitored element in the forecasting and warning service. Precipitation measurement has been burdened with many uncertainties for a long time and is therefore consistently given due attention.\nThe first measurement of precipitation in Europe dates back to the 17th century. Regular but not complete measurements of precipitation at Prague's Klementine observatory began in 1752 (continuous series since 1804), in Brno in 1803. In 1817, M.A. David wrote the first guide for observing the weather in Bohemia, published in German, intended for volunteer observers. The activities of institutions and various associations, such as the Prague Klementinum, the Natural Research Society in Brno, the Central Institute for Meteorology and Earth Magnetism and others, had a fundamental influence on the establishment of meteorological stations and precipitation measurements. The Hydrographic Commission for the Kingdom of the Czech Republic and its hydrometric section were founded in 1875 under the leadership of F. J. Studnička E. Purkyně was responsible for the significant expansion of precipitation measurement at that time as part of the construction of a network of forest precipitation measuring stations. \nFor more than 200 years, rain gauges and precipitation measurements have been developed. The Metra 886 manual rain gauge, which has been used for a long time in the Czech lands, was developed according to the Austrian model of prof. Kostlivý. Since 1995, the automation of rainfall measurement was started, first with tipping bucket raingauges, which are gradually being replaced by weighing raingauges. Alternative methods of measuring precipitation are being tested in\nremote and forested areas. This post tries to bring the history, standards and development of precipitation measurement in our country at least as a guide. Úhrn srážek patří mezi nejdůležitější meteorologické prvky. Má zásadní význam pro tvorbu klimatologických charakteristik, je základem vodní bilance a primárně sledovaným prvkem v předpovědní a výstražné službě. Měření srážek je dlouhodobě zatíženo mnoha nejistotami a je mu proto věnována soustavně náležitá pozornost. \nPrvní měření srážek v Evropě se datuje k 17. století. Pravidelná, ale neúplná, měření srážek na pražské klementinské hvězdárně byla zahájena v roce 1752 (nepřetržitá řada od roku 1804), v Brně to bylo v roce 1803. V roce 1817 M. A. David publikoval první německy psaný návod pro pozorování počasí v Čechách určený dobrovolným pozorovatelům. Zásadní vliv pro vznik meteorologických stanic a měření srážek měly aktivity institucí a různých spolků, například pražské Klementinum, Přírodozpytný spolek v Brně, Ústřední ústav pro meteorologii a zemský magnetismus a jiné. Hydrografická komise pro království české a její hydrometrická sekce byla pod vedením F. J. Studničky založena roku 1875, o významné rozšíření měření srážek se v té době zasloužil v rámci budování sítě lesnických srážkoměrných stanic E. Purkyně.\nJiž více než 200 let dochází k vývoji srážkoměrů a metodik měření srážek. V českých zemích dlouhodobě využívaný manuální srážkoměr Metra 886 byl vyvinut podle rakouského vzoru prof. Kostlivého. Od roku 1995 byla zahájena automatizace měření srážek nejprve klopnými srážkoměry, které jsou postupně nahrazovány srážkoměry váhovými. V odlehlých a lesnatých oblastech jsou testovány alternativní způsoby měření srážek. Tento příspěvek se snaží historii, standardy a vývoj v měření srážek u nás alespoň orientačně přiblížit.
Keywords:
rain gauge; measurement date; measurement history; meteorological station; guide for observers
Fulltext is available at external website.
Instruments for precipitation measurement from history to the present
The precipitation amount is one of the most important meteorological elements. It is of fundamental importance for the creation of climatological characteristics, it is the basis of the water balance ...
Dynamics of dissolved organic carbon in surface water during extreme rainfall-runoff events
Matoušková, M.; Fraindová, K.; Bejčková, M.; Kliment, Z.; Vlach, V.; Vlček, Lukáš
2023 - English
The release of a greater amount of natural organic matter (NOM) within climate change is registered in many catchments with peatbog areas. The aim of our research is to study the dynamics of releasing dissolved organic carbon (DOC) into surface water in headwater areas with peatbogs. DOC concentrations are analysed in relation to extreme rainfall-runoff (R-R) events and according to the hydrological preconditions of the basin. These preconditions are described using selected hydroclimatic variables (14 days before the R-R event). The source data comes from stations of the Faculty of Science, Charles University, and the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. For the evaluation of relations and processes, the Principal component analysis (PCA), hysteresis loops or Pearson correlation coefficient was used. The lag time of DOCmax for Qmax, the dependence of DOCmax and groundwater levels were studied. The influence of flow rate on the decline and ascent phases of DOC\nconcentrations by hysteresis loops and the influence of the number of partial flow maximums on the amount of transported DOC during the R-R event was analysed. Our first results show that great influence on the dynamic of DOC concentration in surface water has the change in groundwater-levels in the peatbog and the outflow amount during the R-R event. The hydroclimatic preconditions of the basin have also a significant influence on the DOC release. Changes in concentrations during R-R events also occurred for other compounds that were studied additionally. Particularly significant was the increase in metals (mainly Fe, Al, Mn) and base cation (K) and decrease in nitrate nitrogen.
Keywords:
natural organic matter; dissolved organic carbon; peatbog; surface water
Fulltext is available at external website.
Dynamics of dissolved organic carbon in surface water during extreme rainfall-runoff events
The release of a greater amount of natural organic matter (NOM) within climate change is registered in many catchments with peatbog areas. The aim of our research is to study the dynamics of releasing ...
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