Abstract

This study develops a numerical model forinvestigating the hydraulic characteristics of a retention pondwith porous baffles. The numerical model is developed using theReynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations (RANS) with <em>k-ε</em>turbulence closure model. The model is successfully validatedusing physical modelling measurements. The proposed model isused to investigate the key mechanisms that govern andinfluence the hydraulic efficiency of retention ponds withporous baffles. Three configurations with varying numbers andlocations of baffles are simulated. The numerical results areanalyzed by comparison of velocity fields, tracer transportpatterns, and associated residence time distributions (RTDs)across all the simulation scenarios. It was found that the porousbaffles effectively improve hydraulic performance by creatinguniform flow distribution and dissipating the flow energy,thereby avoiding dead zones and mitigating short-circuiting.Results show that the location of the first baffle plays a criticalrole in the flow momentum dissipation. Carefullyconsiderations are required to determine the optimal numberand positions of baffles in a specific system. The numericalRTDs are in good agreement with the physical modelling data,confirming the positive contribution of porous baffles to theoverall hydraulic performance of the pond by extending theaverage tracer residence time.