I am simulating the water movements in a large wastewater lagoon that has surface mechanical aerators. Has any user successfully simulated the hydraulic characteristics of the floating aerator type that draws water upwards and discharges above the water surface with the water falling radially back into the lagoon? I have seen papers with successful simulation of this type of aerator using the CFD program FLUENT. I have considered it may be possible to use the WITHDRAWAL/RETURN boundary function in EFDC to simulate the water flow. I would appreciate any advice from users on possible modelling approaches.
We feel that your proposed approach is basically a good one. If the grid is set up properly and Withdrawal/Return properly configured you should get reasonable results. However, you shouldn’t expect results as accurate as those from the FLUENT model approach.