

Computational Fluid Dynamic Modelling
Clearer Insight into Water and Wastewater Asset Performance

Specialist CFD Modelling for Water and Wastewater Assets
Trident International provides specialist Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) modelling to help water companies, designers and operators understand how fluids move through complex assets. Alongside our established hydraulic modelling capability in tools such as InfoWorks WS Pro, Synergi Water, InfoWorks ICM and EPANET, our CFD services give clients a detailed, visual and evidence-based understanding of flow behaviour within both clean water and wastewater systems.
Understanding Flow Behaviour through CFD Modelling
CFD modelling uses 3D simulation to show how water, wastewater, air, solids or other substances move through an asset. It can reveal flow paths, velocities, recirculation, short-circuiting, dead zones, mixing patterns and residence times that are difficult to assess through traditional modelling or site observation alone.
CFD modelling can help you:
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Diagnose hydraulic and water quality issues within existing assets before committing to physical changes.
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Test design or operational options in a virtual environment, reducing uncertainty, cost and programme risk.
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Improve asset performance by identifying practical changes to inlet arrangements, baffles, mixers, pipework, tanks and chambers.
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Communicate complex flow behaviour clearly through visual outputs, animations and concise technical reporting.
By showing what is happening inside an asset, CFD provides a robust basis for decision-making, helping teams optimise performance, support investment decisions and avoid costly rework.


CFD Modelling for Wastewater Assets
For wastewater systems, CFD modelling can provide detailed insight into how flows, solids and air move through complex hydraulic structures, supporting improved operation, safer design decisions and more resilient asset performance.
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Understand hydraulic performance in storm tanks, combined sewer overflow chambers, wet wells and wastewater storage assets.
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Assess mixing, settlement, solids retention, short-circuiting and flow distribution to support improved operation and compliance outcomes.
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Compare retrofit or design options such as baffles, revised inlet arrangements, mixers, flow controls or tank modifications before they are implemented on site.
Applications across Water and Wastewater Assets
Our CFD modelling team combines water sector hydraulic modelling expertise with practical experience of 3D asset representation, model setup, calibration, verification and results interpretation.
Using Ansys CFX and Fluent, Trident International can support projects involving:
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Service reservoirs, contact tanks and clean water storage assets.
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Wastewater tanks, storm tanks, wet wells, chambers and flow control structures.
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Pump sumps, inlet works, pipework, fittings and distribution arrangements.
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Raw water reservoirs, mixers and assets where stratification, turnover or substance transport are key considerations.
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Operational and design reviews where evidence is needed to compare options and select the most effective intervention.
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Model verification using site data such as telemetry, flow and level records, tracer testing or operational observations where available.
CFD Modelling for Clean Water Assets
For clean water systems, CFD modelling can provide detailed insight into how water moves through storage, treatment and distribution assets, supporting better design, operation and water quality management.
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Assess flow distribution, turnover, residence time and short-circuiting within service reservoirs, contact tanks and clean water storage assets.
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Support water quality objectives by identifying areas of poor mixing, stagnation, dead zones or ineffective circulation.
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Compare design or operational options such as inlet and outlet arrangements, baffles, mixers, draw-off levels and reservoir compartment configurations.
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Provide clear visual evidence to support design development, operational improvements, resilience planning and investment decisions.
Whether you are investigating an existing operational issue, developing a new design or comparing improvement options, Trident International can provide the modelling insight needed to support confident, cost-effective decisions. For enquiries, please contact us at Clare.Keir@tridentgrp.co.uk, or call us directly.