Numerical and morphological dynamics of fractal aggregates formed during flocculation and their effects on solid-liquid separation

• Grant number: 17/19195-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Effective date (Start): July 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): June 30, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment
• Principal Investigator: Rodrigo Braga Moruzzi
• Grantee: Rodrigo Braga Moruzzi
• Host Investigator: Luiza C. Campos
• Host Institution: Instituto de Geociências e Ciências Exatas (IGCE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil
• Research place: University College London (UCL), England

Abstract

This research will be carried out as a jointly research by UCL and UNESP and it aims to strengthen the ongoing research concerning the study of flocculation in water supply. Specifically, the proposal was constituted with two main and complementary axes. In the first axis, the improvement of flocculation performance evaluation will be sought using direct measurements of aggregate size. For that, experiments will be conducted using technique of acquisition and treatment of image and equipment denominated photometric dispersion analyzer (PDA). Statistical tools will be applied to the experimental data set. The results will be modeled using equation of aggregation kinetics and primary particle disruption. The analysis of sensitivity, calibration, validation and simulation of the model will be used. In the second axis, the fractal geometry will be used to evaluate the deformed and permeable aspects of the aggregates. Thus, the morphological dynamics, porosity and apparent specific mass of aggregates formed during and after flocculation can be evaluated. The results will also be used to simulate the sedimentation velocities of permeable aggregates and compact beads, for Reynolds number <1. In this way, the training and updating of the candidate's knowledge will increase the production of knowledge and qualified human resources in the Two axes of research presented, strengthening the Brazilian group and helping in the scientific production of greater impact. It is also believed that the proposal offers innovative scientific and technological content that, in the future, can contribute to the design and operation of systems that use flocculation, allowing greater precision in design and greater operational safety. (AU)

Scientific publications

(6)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

MORUZZI, RODRIGO B.; CAMPOS, LUIZA C.; SHARIFI, SOROOSH; DA SILVA, PEDRO GRAVA; GREGORY, JOHN. Nonintrusive investigation of large Al-kaolin fractal aggregates with slow settling velocities. WATER RESEARCH, v. 185, OCT 15 2020. (17/19195-7)

OLIVEIRA, ALESSANDRA DA SILVA; LOPES, VERONICA DOS SANTOS; COUTINHO FILHO, UBIRAJARA; MORUZZI, RODRIGO BRAGA; DE OLIVEIRA, ANDRE LUIZ. Neural network for fractal dimension evolution. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, v. 78, n. 4, p. 795-802, AUG 2018. (17/19195-7)

MORUZZI, R. B.; DE OLIVEIRA, A. L.; DE ALMEIDA, T.. FRACTAL AGGREGATES EVOLUTION DURING FLOCCULATION. Brazilian Journal of Chemical Engineering, v. 35, n. 4, p. 1203-1210, OCT-DEC 2018. (10/50694-0, 13/25641-9, 17/19195-7)

GOEHLER, LUIZA OSTINI; MORUZZI, RODRIGO BRAGA; DA CONCEICAO, FABIANO TOMAZINI; COUTO JUNIOR, ANTONIO APARECIDO; SPERANZA, LAIS GALILEU; BUSQUETS, ROSA; CAMPOS, LUIZA CINTRA. Relevance of tyre wear particles to the total content of microplastics transported by runoff in a high-imperviousness and intense vehicle traffic urban area. Environmental Pollution, v. 314, p. 11-pg., 2022-12-01. (17/19195-7)

MORUZZI, RODRIGO B.; DA SILVA, PEDRO GRAVA; SHARIFI, SOROOSH; CAMPOS, LUIZA C.; GREGORY, JOHN. Strength assessment of Al-Humic and Al-Kaolin aggregates by intrusive and non-intrusive methods. Separation and Purification Technology, v. 217, p. 265-273, JUN 15 2019. (17/19195-7)

MORUZZI, R. B.; BRIDGEMAN, J.; SILVA, P. A. G.. A combined experimental and numerical approach to the assessment of floc settling velocity using fractal geometry. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, v. 81, n. 5, p. 915-924, MAR 1 2020. (17/19195-7)