• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.286-294
• /
• 2014

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of applying density current generator (hereafter referred to as DCG to large lakes on the operating conditions of DCG, de-stratification, water quality improvement and inhibition of algae occurrence. As a result of a survey conducted to derive the optimum operating parameters of DCG in a condition to minimize eco-toxicity, the following conclusions were obtained. During the survey period, a marked stratification appeared in September to October 2011 and May 2012. At this time, the average depth of water to form thermocline was found to be $5{\pm}2$ m, so the location of discharge port for the operation of DCG was determined to be about 5 m below from the surface. To minimize the adverse effects of benthos and obtain the effect of water mixture at the time of water circulation, the mixing ratio of surface water and deep water was designed to be 3:1 by means of ecotoxicological assessment on the DCG operating characteristics. To select the appropriate operating hours for DCG, DCG was operated by 12 hr, 24 hr, 36 hr and 48 hr. As its result, the formation of thermocline did not occur during the operation of 36 hr. Also, It was effected that start reoperating from 3rd day after stop 2days under the condition of operated during 36 hr with calculated power consumption. Under the above conditions, the results of DO and water temperature analysis during the operation of DCG showed that the stratification, which was distinct previously, appeared to be weak, and relatively lower levels than those before operation were found as a result of water quality analysis on COD and chlorophyll-a, which leads to the conclusion that the water body is maintained at a stable condition due to the circulation of water by the occurrence of density current resulting from the operation of DCG.