Current approaches for chlorine disinfection process design involve application of a C × T
(concentration × time) concept or the integrated disinfection design framework (IDDF) (Bellamy
et al, 1998). This study presents a new design approach for chlorine disinfection that uses
computational fluid dynamics (CFD). CFD models were developed to predict flow structure, mass
transport, chlorine decay, and microbial inactivation in a continuous-flow reactor and
associated piping. Past CFD models for chlorine disinfection have only predicted chlorine
contactor flow structure and residence time distribution (Crozes et al, 1999; Wang & Falconer,
1998; Hannoun & Boulos, 1997; Stambolieva et al, 1993). The model described here incorporates
experimentally derived terms for chlorine decay (free and combined) and microbial inactivation
( Escherichia coli, MS2 bacteriophage, and Giardia muris) based on the work of Haas et al (1995).
CFD predictions were in good agreement with the experimental data set over a wide range
of microbial inactivation rates. Includes 26 references, tables, figures.