Pulp and Paper: Temperature Modeling in Large Basins

Approximately 60+% of wastewater produced by the Pulp and Paper industry is treated using large basins (Aerated Stabilization Basin, ASB). Wastewater from primary clarifier effluent typically enters the secondary treatment basin from a single or multi feed configuration. Surface aerators are typically utilized for aeration and mixing purposes in the basin. Carbon and nitrogen removal occur in the...

Additional heat transfer terms included in the complete temperature model are solar radiation, atmospheric radiation, and evaporation. The aeration model is an extension of the simple model equation. The advantage of the complete model is that it includes parameters for all heat transfer mechanisms. The downside is that more input information must be either known or assumed. In most cases, assumed...

The simple and complete temperature models were used in a recent project aimed at minimizing heat loss in an activated sludge wastewater treatment system in a cold climate. In this case, the complete temperature model produced reasonable results compared to actual field temperature measurements while simple model predicted significantly lower than observed equilibrium temperatures. The original...

As with any modeling task, the model must be selected at the appropriate level of sophistication to provide the required results; all while balancing the amount of time and resources available. Engineering judgement is advocated for here. The tendency is to use the more complex model since more is better right? The problem with this tendency is that it is usually coupled with a lack of detailed...

E. R. Anderson (1954). Energy Budget Studies, Water-Loss Investigations: Lake Hefner Studies, Untied States Geological Survey, Professional Paper 269, Washington.