Modelling the fill rate of pit latrines in Ifakara, Tanzania

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay C. Todman ◽  
Miriam H. A. van Eekert ◽  
Michael R. Templeton ◽  
Marie Hardy (née Kelly) ◽  
Walter T. Gibson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Sensitivity Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Hydrolysis Constant ◽  
Fill Rate ◽  
Volatile Solids ◽  
Fitted Parameter ◽  
Water Accumulation ◽  
Flow Through

A model of the rate at which pit latrines fill was developed and compared with actual fill rates measured in latrines in Ifakara, Tanzania. Model parameters were derived primarily from data collected during the field study in Tanzania, with one fitted parameter. Although the model did not accurately simulate the fill rate of individual pits, it provided a good simulation of the average fill rate of the pits and aided the identification of pits that were performing poorly. Laboratory experiments conducted on samples of sludge from the pits were used to identify the average hydrolysis constant for biodegradation of the organic material. The average hydrolysis constant (0.046 day−1) was higher than that identified in another modelling study (0.0015 day−1), conducted in South Africa. The higher hydrolysis constant provided a simulation of the profile of volatile solids with lower root mean square error in 17/24 of the pits, however, for the other pits a lower hydrolysis constant was more appropriate. A sensitivity study of the model indicated that the pit fill rates were particularly sensitive to the parameter that quantified water accumulation in the pit, as such quantifying water flow through the pit is a priority for future research.

Comparison of Aerobic and Anoxic-Aerobic Digestion of Waste Activated Sludge

1985 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 1475-1478 ◽  
Author(s):  
A P. C. Warner ◽  
G. A. Ekama ◽  
G v. R. Marais
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Waste Activated Sludge ◽  
Activated Sludge Process ◽  
Cycle Times ◽  
Waste Sludge ◽  
Volatile Solids ◽  
In Series ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Theoretical Simulations

The laboratory scale experimental investigation comprised a 6 day sludge age activated sludge process, the waste sludge of which was fed to a number of digesters operated as follows: single reactor flow through digesters at 4 or 6 days sludge age, under aerobic and anoxic-aerobic conditions (with 1,5 and 4 h cycle times) and 3-in-series flow through aerobic digesters each at 4 days sludge age; all digesters were fed draw-and-fill wise once per day. The general kinetic model for the aerobic activated sludge process set out by Dold et al., (1980) and extended to the anoxic-aerobic process by van Haandel et al., (1981) simulated accurately all the experimental data (Figs 1 to 4) without the need for adjusting the kinetic constants. Both theoretical simulations and experimental data indicate that (i) the rate of volatile solids destruction is not affected by the incorporation of anoxic cycles and (ii) the specific denitrification rate is independent of sludge age and is K4T = 0,046(l,029)(T-20) mgNO3-N/(mg active VSS. d) i.e. about 2/3 of that in the secondary anoxic of the single sludge activated sludge stystem. An important consequence of (i) and (ii) above is that denitrification can be integrated easily in the steady state digester model of Marais and Ekama (1976) and used for design (Warner et al., 1983).

scholarly journals Modeling Bacterial Regrowth and Trihalomethane Formation in Water Distribution Systems

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 463
Author(s):  
Gopinathan R. Abhijith ◽  
Leonid Kadinski ◽  
Avi Ostfeld
Keyword(s):  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Mechanistic Model ◽  
Water Distribution Systems ◽  
Sensitivity Study ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Growth Rate Constant ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Bacterial Regrowth ◽  
The Impact

The formation of bacterial regrowth and disinfection by-products is ubiquitous in chlorinated water distribution systems (WDSs) operated with organic loads. A generic, easy-to-use mechanistic model describing the fundamental processes governing the interrelationship between chlorine, total organic carbon (TOC), and bacteria to analyze the spatiotemporal water quality variations in WDSs was developed using EPANET-MSX. The representation of multispecies reactions was simplified to minimize the interdependent model parameters. The physicochemical/biological processes that cannot be experimentally determined were neglected. The effects of source water characteristics and water residence time on controlling bacterial regrowth and Trihalomethane (THM) formation in two well-tested systems under chlorinated and non-chlorinated conditions were analyzed by applying the model. The results established that a 100% increase in the free chlorine concentration and a 50% reduction in the TOC at the source effectuated a 5.87 log scale decrement in the bacteriological activity at the expense of a 60% increase in THM formation. The sensitivity study showed the impact of the operating conditions and the network characteristics in determining parameter sensitivities to model outputs. The maximum specific growth rate constant for bulk phase bacteria was found to be the most sensitive parameter to the predicted bacterial regrowth.

scholarly journals Mean-field model of interacting quasilocalized excitations in glasses

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Corrado Rainone ◽  
Pierfrancesco Urbani ◽  
Francesco Zamponi ◽  
Edan Lerner ◽  
Eran Bouchbinder
Keyword(s):  
Elastic Medium ◽  
Density Of States ◽  
Field Model ◽  
Mean Field ◽  
Mean Square Displacement ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Mean Field Model ◽  
Structural Glasses

Structural glasses feature quasilocalized excitations whose frequencies \omegaω follow a universal density of states {D}(\omega)\!\sim\!\omega^4D(ω)∼ω4. Yet, the underlying physics behind this universality is not fully understood. Here we study a mean-field model of quasilocalized excitations in glasses, viewed as groups of particles embedded inside an elastic medium and described collectively as anharmonic oscillators. The oscillators, whose harmonic stiffness is taken from a rather featureless probability distribution (of upper cutoff \kappa_0κ0) in the absence of interactions, interact among themselves through random couplings (characterized by a strength JJ) and with the surrounding elastic medium (an interaction characterized by a constant force hh). We first show that the model gives rise to a gapless density of states {D}(\omega)\!=\!A_{g}\,\omega^4D(ω)=Agω4 for a broad range of model parameters, expressed in terms of the strength of the oscillators’ stabilizing anharmonicity, which plays a decisive role in the model. Then — using scaling theory and numerical simulations — we provide a complete understanding of the non-universal prefactor A_{g}(h,J,\kappa_0)Ag(h,J,κ0), of the oscillators’ interaction-induced mean square displacement and of an emerging characteristic frequency, all in terms of properly identified dimensionless quantities. In particular, we show that A_{g}(h,J,\kappa_0)Ag(h,J,κ0) is a non-monotonic function of JJ for a fixed hh, varying predominantly exponentially with -(\kappa_0 h^{2/3}\!/J^2)−(κ0h2/3/J2) in the weak interactions (small JJ) regime — reminiscent of recent observations in computer glasses — and predominantly decays as a power-law for larger JJ, in a regime where hh plays no role. We discuss the physical interpretation of the model and its possible relations to available observations in structural glasses, along with delineating some future research directions.

scholarly journals Bayesian rock physics inversion: application to CO2 storage monitoring

Geophysics ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-73
Author(s):  
Bastien Dupuy ◽  
Anouar Romdhane ◽  
Pierre-Louis Nordmann ◽  
Peder Eliasson ◽  
Joonsang Park
Keyword(s):  
Joint Inversion ◽  
Co2 Storage ◽  
Rock Physics ◽  
Model Space ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Sensitivity Study ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Reservoir Properties ◽  
Upward Migration ◽  
Before And After

Risk assessment of CO2 storage requires the use of geophysical monitoring techniques to quantify changes in selected reservoir properties such as CO2 saturation, pore pressure and porosity. Conformance monitoring and associated decision-making rest upon the quantified properties derived from geophysical data, with uncertainty assessment. A general framework combining seismic and controlled source electromagnetic inversions with rock physics inversion is proposed with fully Bayesian formulations for proper quantification of uncertainty. The Bayesian rock physics inversion rests upon two stages. First, a search stage consists in exploring the model space and deriving models with associated probability density function (PDF). Second, an appraisal or importance sampling stage is used as a "correction" step to ensure that the full model space is explored and that the estimated posterior PDF can be used to derive quantities like marginal probability densities. Both steps are based on the neighbourhood algorithm. The approach does not require any linearization of the rock physics model or assumption about the model parameters distribution. After describing the CO2 storage context, the available data at the Sleipner field before and after CO2 injection (baseline and monitor), and the rock physics models, we perform an extended sensitivity study. We show that prior information is crucial, especially in the monitor case. We demonstrate that joint inversion of seismic and CSEM data is also key to quantify CO2 saturations properly. We finally apply the full inversion strategy to real data from Sleipner. We obtain rock frame moduli, porosity, saturation and patchiness exponent distributions and associated uncertainties along a 1D profile before and after injection. The results are consistent with geology knowledge and reservoir simulations, i.e., that the CO2 saturations are larger under the caprock confirming the CO2 upward migration by buoyancy effect. The estimates of patchiness exponent have a larger uncertainty, suggesting semi-patchy mixing behaviour.

scholarly journals MODELLING THE RESPONSE OF VASCULAR TUMOURS TO CHEMOTHERAPY: A MULTISCALE APPROACH

2006 ◽  
Vol 16 (supp01) ◽  
pp. 1219-1241 ◽  
Author(s):  
HELEN M. BYRNE ◽  
MARKUS R. OWEN ◽  
TOMAS ALARCON ◽  
JAMES MURPHY ◽  
PHILIP K. MAINI
Keyword(s):  
Cell Density ◽  
Tumour Cell ◽  
Drug Transport ◽  
Angiogenic Factors ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Multiscale Approach ◽  
Proliferating Cells ◽  
Vascular Adaptation ◽  
Spatio Temporal

An existing multiscale model is extended to study the response of a vascularised tumour to treatment with chemotherapeutic drugs which target proliferating cells. The underlying hybrid cellular automaton model couples tissue-level processes (e.g. blood flow, vascular adaptation, oxygen and drug transport) with cellular and subcellular phenomena (e.g. competition for space, progress through the cell cycle, natural cell death and drug-induced cell kill and the expression of angiogenic factors). New simulations suggest that, in the absence of therapy, vascular adaptation induced by angiogenic factors can stimulate spatio-temporal oscillations in the tumour's composition. Numerical simulations are presented and show that, depending on the choice of model parameters, when a drug which kills proliferating cells is continuously infused through the vasculature, three cases may arise: the tumour is eliminated by the drug; the tumour continues to expand into the normal tissue; or, the tumour undergoes spatio-temporal oscillations, with regions of high vascular and tumour cell density alternating with regions of low vascular and tumour cell density. The implications of these results and possible directions for future research are also discussed.

Judgment Based Marketing Decision Models: Problems and Possible Solutions

1981 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 13-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dipankar Chakravarti ◽  
Andrew Mitchell ◽  
Richard Staelin
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Decision Models ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Marketing Decision ◽  
Recent Laboratory

This paper presents a comparative analysis of the findings of two field studies and three recent laboratory experiments that assessed the efficacy of judgment based models in aiding marketing decision making. This analysis indicates factors that may affect the effectiveness of these models. The implications of the findings for users of judgment based marketing decision models as well as model builders are discussed, and suggestions are made for future research to improve the models’ effectiveness.

scholarly journals The Influence of Grain Size Distribution on the Hydraulic Gradient for Initiating Backward Erosion

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willem-Jan Dirkx ◽  
Rens Beek ◽  
Marc Bierkens
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Grain Size Distribution ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Hydraulic Gradient ◽  
Concentrated Flow ◽  
Pipe Formation ◽  
Novel Method ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
The Stability

Backward erosion by piping is one of the processes that threaten the stability of river embankments in the Netherlands. During high river stages, groundwater flow velocities underneath the embankment increase as a result of the steepened hydraulic gradient. If a single outflow point exists or forms, the concentrated flow can entrain soil particles, leading to the formation of a subsurface pipe. The processes controlling this phenomenon are still relatively unknown due to their limited occurrence and because piping is a subsurface phenomenon. To study the initiation of piping, we performed laboratory experiments in which we induced water flow through a porous medium with a vertically orientated outflow point. In these experiments, we explicitly considered grain size variations, thus adding to the existing database of experiments. Our experiments showed that the vertical velocity needed for the initiation of particle transport can be described well by Stokes’ law using the median grain size. We combine this with a novel method to relate bulk hydraulic conductivity to the grain size distribution. This shows that knowledge of the grain size distribution and the location of the outflow point are sufficient to estimate the hydraulic gradient needed to initiate pipe formation in the experiment box.

Sensitivity Studies of Shear Stress Transport Turbulence Model Parameters on the Prediction of Seven-Rod Bundle Benchmark Experiments

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cale Bergmann ◽  
S. Ormiston ◽  
V. Chatoorgoon
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
Turbulence Model ◽  
Turbulence Modeling ◽  
Sensitivity Study ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Rod Bundle ◽  
Shear Stress Transport ◽  
Sst Turbulence Model ◽  
Sensitivity Studies ◽  
Two Parameters

This paper reports the findings of a sensitivity study of parameters in the shear stress transport (SST) turbulence model in a commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code to predict an experiment from the Generation IV International Forum Supercritical-Water-Cooled Reactor (GIF SCWR) 2013–2014 seven-rod subchannel benchmark exercise. This study was motivated by the result of the benchmark exercise that all the CFD codes gave similar results to a subchannel code, which does not possess any sophisticated turbulence modeling. Initial findings were that the CFD codes generally underpredicted the wall temperatures on the B2 case in the region where the flow was supercritical. Therefore, it was decided to examine the effect of various turbulence model parameters to determine if a CFD code using the SST turbulence model could do a better job overall in predicting the wall temperatures of the benchmark experiments. A sensitivity study of seven parameters was done, and changes to two parameters were found to make an improvement.

Extracting Model Parameters and Paradigms From Neutron Imaging of Dead-Ended Anode Operation

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason B. Siegel ◽  
Anna G. Stefanopoulou ◽  
Serhat Yesilyurt
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Water ◽  
Front Propagation ◽  
Neutron Imaging ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Pde Model ◽  
Saturation Limit ◽  
Gravity Driven ◽  
Water Accumulation

In a PEMFC, feeding dry hydrogen into a dead-ended anode (DEA), reduces the overall system cost, weight and volume due to reduced need for a hydrogen-grade humidification and recirculation subsystems, but requires purging to remove the accumulated water and inert gas. Although the DEA method of operation might be undesirable due to its associated high spatial variability it provides a unique perspective on the evolution of the water accumulation in the anode. Sections of the channel nearest the inlets are significantly drier than those nearest the outlet as shown in the neutron imaging of a 53 cm2 PEMFC. This method allows in-situ visualization of distinct patterns, including water front propagation along the channels. In this paper we utilize neutron imaging of the liquid water distributions and a previously developed PDE model of liquid water flow in the GDL to (a) identify a range of numerical values for the immobile saturation limit, (b) propose a gravity-driven liquid flow in the channels, and (c) derive the two-phase GDL boundary conditions associated with the presence of liquid water in the channel.

A Sensitivity Study of the Porcine Head Subjected to Bump Impact

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly A. Thompson ◽  
Adam C. Sokolow ◽  
Juliana Ivancik ◽  
Timothy G. Zhang ◽  
William H. Mermagen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Brain ◽  
3D Model ◽  
Porcine Model ◽  
Load Transfer ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Sensitivity Study ◽  
Complex Problem ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Skin Thickness ◽  
The Impact

Understanding load transfer to the human brain is a complex problem that has been a key subject of recent investigations [4–6]. Because the porcine is a gyrencephalic species, having greater structural and functional similarities to the human brain than other lower species outlined in the literature, it is commonly chosen as a surrogate for human brain studies [7]. Consequently, we have chosen to use a porcine model in this work. To understand stress wave transfer to and through the brain, it is important to fully characterize the nature of the impact (i.e. source, location, and speed) as well as the response of the constituent tissues under such impact. We suspect the material and topology of these tissues play an important role in their response. In this paper, we report on a numerical study assessing the sensitivity of model parameters for a 6-month old Gottingen mini-pig model, under bump loading. In this study, 2D models are used for computational simplicity. While a 3D model is more realistic in nature, a 2D representation is still valuable in that it can provide trends on parameter sensitivity that can help steer the development of the 3D model. In this work, we investigate the variation of skull and skin thickness, evaluate material variability of the skull, and consider the effects of nasal cavities on load transfer. Eighty simulations are computed in LS-DYNA and analyzed in MATLAB. The results of this study will provide useful knowledge on the necessary components and parameters of the porcine model and therefore provide more confidence in the analysis. This is an essential first step as we look toward bridging the gap between correlates of injury in animal and human models.

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