Optimization process for an industrial ventilation system installed inside a sludge dehydration hall

This paper briefly presents the optimization process for an industrial ventilation system installed inside the sludge dehydration hall from a waste-water treatment plant. High ammonia (NH
₃
) concentrations are usually found in such working spaces if the ventilation system is not properly designed. CFD numerical simulations have been used to propose solutions for the current General Ventilation System. PIV measurements on a reduced scale experimental model were realized for the validation of the CFD model. The model was successfully validated using the length of the jet throw as similarity condition. The numerical results have shown a significant decrease in NH
₃
values after optimizing the general ventilation system and the solution was implemented to the hall. However, it was concluded that a local exhaust method was still required to ensure better indoor air quality for the workers. A CFD analysis was ran once again to find a local exhaust method suitable for this particular environment.