Proposal of a framework to perform advanced flow modeling for Subsurface Flow Wetlands

This study provides a framework for a new approach addressed to performing Subsurface Flow Wetlands modeling by using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) coupled with the discrete element method (DEM). This methodology is based on the adoption of open-source software to perform advanced hydraulic simulations that enable provide a detailed representation of water flow through CFD as well as solid phase consideration by using DEM. The advantages of this approach over conventional porous media are highlighted and procedure details to perform CFD-DEM modeling of a subsurface flow wetland are described. The proposed framework for CFD-DEM wetland simulation provides a method for a better description of flow patterns for horizontal and vertical subsurface wetlands through a detailed representation of porous media. Moreover, it can be expanded to include in the DEM method the simulation of the solid content in the effluent for further studies involving clogging simulations.