Multiphysics modelling of flow dynamics, biofilm development and wastewater treatment in a subsurface vertical flow constructed wetland mesocosm

A robust computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model accounting for both spatial and temporal dynamics of a subsurface vertical flow treatment wetland system was developed by combining fluid transport, solute transport, biokinetics, biofilm development, and biofilm detachment/sloughing using COMSOL Multiphysics™. The local porosity of the porous media was calculated based on the estimated biofilm development over time. The biofilm development …