Reservoirs, lakes and basins behave as physical and ecological systems in their own right. Limnological modelling predicts thermal stratification, mixing and water quality — the science behind aeration, destratification and lake-restoration design.
The questions this modelling discipline answers
One-dimensional thermal models and the stability indices (Schmidt stability, Lake and Wedderburn numbers) predict when a water body stratifies and how much energy mixing it demands.
Bubble-plume models (Wüest, Schladow) size aeration and destratification — the influence radius, plume rise and mixing each diffuser delivers.
Nutrient-loading and trophic-state models (Vollenweider, Carlson, Nürnberg internal load) predict algal response and the effect of a restoration lever.
Hypolimnetic oxygen-budget and water-quality models forecast anoxia, metal release and the days-to-anoxia that size an oxygenation system.
A water body is a coupled system: the physics (heat, wind, inflow) sets the stratification, and the stratification gates the chemistry and biology (oxygen, nutrients, algae). Limnological modelling layers these — a one-dimensional thermal model resolves the temperature structure and the stability indices that quantify it; bubble-plume models size the energy needed to mix it; and nutrient-loading and oxygen-budget models predict the ecological response and the duty an aeration or restoration system must meet. These are exactly the models behind our reservoir and lake work, from the stability and bubble-plume science to the trophic-loading and internal-load relationships — applied to choose the right intervention before any equipment is specified.
Reynolds & Bauhm applies the right modelling discipline to the question — from a steady-state flowsheet to a calibrated digital twin — so design and operating decisions are made on evidence, not assumption.
Our expertise spans multiple industries with sector-specific water treatment solutions.