Al-Qadisiyah Journal for Engineering Sciences

Experimental investigation of enhanced NaCl removal using porous broad crested weirs with different alumina-limestone configurations

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Afeaa Jabbar 1
Thulfikar R. Al-Husseini 1
Ali Ghawi 2

1 Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq.

2 Department of Roads and Transport Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq.

https://doi.org/10.30772/qjes.2026.163860.1689
Abstract
An innovative experimental approach was developed to enhance NaCl removal using porous broad-crested weirs with different alumina-limestone configurations in an open-channel flow under controlled hydraulic conditions. Eight experimental cases were systematically evaluated, examining pure limestone, pure alumina, and mixed arrangements (Al-Ls-Al, Ls-Al-Ls) under two flow rates over 240 minutes. Results demonstrate that pure alumina achieved superior performance with 5.88\% average removal efficiency, significantly outperforming pure limestone (2.01-4.27\%) and mixed configurations (4.41-5.01\%). Limestone exhibited significant hydraulic dependency, with removal efficiency increasing by 112\% when flow rate increased from through flow to through flow limit conditions, while alumina demonstrated consistent performance across both flow regimes. All configurations showed initial rapid removal followed by a gradual approach toward equilibrium efficiency, with the most significant removal occurring within the first 10 minutes. Mixed material configurations (Al-Ls-Al and Ls-Al-Ls) achieved removal efficiencies that fell between those of pure materials, indicating no enhancement beyond the individual material properties. The study reveals that while alumina provides optimal NaCl removal, limestone under enhanced flow rates offers economically viable alternatives, achieving 71\% of alumina's performance. Porous broad-crested weirs represent promising technology for sustainable water treatment applications.

Highlights

  • An innovative experimental approach has been developed to improve the removal of pollutants in rivers using porous broad-crested weirs
  • Environmentally friendly materials (Alumina-Limestone) were used in this type of dam (Porous Broad-Crested Weirs) to improve the quality of river water.
  • A laboratory model of the project was implemented and mathematically represented using the COMSOL Software, achieving a perfect match between the experimental and theoretical measurements.
  • This study intertwined the removal and mitigation of pollutants in river water with the hydraulics of porous dams.

Keywords

Porous media
Alumina
Open channel
Limestone
NaCl
Weirs
Crossmark
Subjects
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Al-Qadisiyah Journal for Engineering Sciences
Volume 19, Issue 3
Summer 2026
Pages 323-328

  • Receive Date 04 March 2025
  • Revise Date 20 June 2025
  • Accept Date 30 July 2026

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