Numerical simulation of deep-bed water filtration

•The two dimensional network model was developed which represent filter structure.•We examined performance of the filter structure in function of its inner structure.•The quality factors were used to judge which of the created structure was the optimal.•Evolution of the pressure drop and efficiency depends on inner filter’s structure.

A two-dimensional simulator based on network model has been employed to design structure of filter composed of a few layers. The complex structure of the filter was represented by system of cylindrical channels connected via nodes, which represent basic quantities of the filter structure, like porosity or permeability. Performance of monolayer, multilayer and gradient filters was compared. Results show that depending on the number of layers, their porosities, the sequence of each layer aligned in the structure and channel diameter distribution significantly influence the amount of particles collected by the particular structure. Evolution of pressure drop, collection efficiency of particles and quality factors are the aspects, which should be tackled, to design an optimal filter structure.