Equalization

Dr. Akepati S. Reddy

Associate Professor, Thapar University
Patiala (PUNJAB) – 147 004
 Flow Equalization
Damping of variations in wastewater flow rates and strength
(BOD, etc.
– To overcome operational problems caused by flow variations
– To improve performance of the down stream processes –
reduced peak flows and shock loads, and diluted inhibitory
substances enhance biological treatment
– To reduce size and cost of down stream treatment facilities
• Inline arrangement
– All flow passes through the equalization basin
– Better for achieving constituent concentration damping
• Off line arrangement
– Only flow above some predetermined flow limit is diverted into
the equalization basin
– Pumping requirements are minimized
Disadvantages of equalization include
– Increased capital costs and land area requirements
– Odours problem
– Additional operation and maintenance requirement
 Design Considerations
Where to locate equalization facility within the treatment
process flow sheet?
• Optimum location vary with
– Characteristics of the collection system and of the
wastewater to be handled
– Land requirements and availability
– Type of treatment required
• Equalization after primary treatment and before
secondary treatment - cause fewer problems with
solids deposits and scum accumulation
• Equalization ahead of primary settling – require
sufficient mixing to prevent solids deposition and
aeration to prevent odours
In-line or off-line flow equalization which should be
used?
 Design Considerations
What is the required basin volume?
• Cumulative inflow volume diagram is used
– Plot cumulative inflow & cumulative avr. flow against time
– Draw 2 tangents to mass inflow curve, parallel to cumulative
avr. flow curve (and binding the former) and take vertical
distance between the 2 tangents as required volume
– At the low point of tangency the basin will be empty and high
point it will be full
– Alternatively, subtract average hourly flow from the hourly
inflow and plot the cumulative net flow against time - take
vertical distance between low and high points of the curve as
required volume
• Actual volume is 10-20% larger than the required volume
– Continuous operation of aeration and mixing equipment do not
allow complete emptying of the basin
– Basin may also receive plant recycle streams
– Contingency is needed for taking care of unforeseen changes
in flow rates and flow variations
 Design Considerations
Basin geometry
– Can depend on whether in-line or off-line equalization is
used
– Inline basin geometry should allow functioning as a CFSTR
– Avoid elongated designs
– Arrange inlet and outlet configurations to minimize short
circuiting – often use of multiple inlets and outlets may be
necessary
– Available land area often control geometry of the basin
– For access for basin cleaning may demand front end loaders
and multiple compartments
 Design considerations
Basin construction including cleaning, access and
safety
Can be earthen, concrete or steel
Earthen basins
• Depth depends on land availability, groundwater level and
topography
• Free board required depends on basin surface area and local
wind conditions
• For floating aerators, if used, for the protection of aerators,
minimum operating level of 1.5 to 2 m is needed
• Floating aerators need concrete pad below to minimize erosion
• Slopes with riprap, soil cement or a partial concrete layer may
be needed to prevent wind induced erosion
• Slope of interior sides may vary between 3:1 to 2:1
• Often liner is used to prevent groundwater contamination
• Fencing is needed to prevent public access to the basin
• In areas of high groundwater, drainage facilities needed
• To ensure stable embankments tops of the dikes should be of
adequate width
 Design considerations
Mixing and aeration requirements
• Should blend the contents and prevent deposition of solids
• Better grit removal facilities precede equalization basins
• For medium strength sewage of 210 mg/l of TSS mixing
requirements may range from 0.004 to 0.008 kW/m3
– In case of mechanical aerators, for ensuring proper mixing,
baffling may be needed, specially in circular tanks
– For protection from damage, aerators may require low level
shut down controls, and may be equipped with legs or draft
tubes for resting on when the basin contents are drained out
• Aeration is required to prevent septic and odorous conditions
– Air requirements for aerobic conditions is 0.01-0.015
m3/m3.min
– Diffused aeration systems, like, static tube, jet and aspirating
aerators, can also be used for the mixing and aeration
• Equalization basins provided after primary clarifier have shorter
HRTs and aeration may not be needed
 Design considerations
Operational appurtenances
– Facilities for flushing any solids and grease that may tend to
accumulate on basin walls
– High water takeoff for removing floating material and foam
– Water sprays to prevent accumulation and aid foam removal
– Separate odour control facilities (covered equalization
basins!) may also be needed
Pump and pump control system
– Flow equalization imposes additional head requirement -
pumping facilities are usually required either before or after
the basin (before is preferred for greater reliability)
– Flow regulation devices may be needed
– Flow measurement device is required on the outlet to
monitor the equalized flow
 Impact of Flow Equalization on
Strength Equalization
Start with the time period when the basin is empty
Compute basin liquid volume at the end of each time period
– Volume already present at the beginning of the period
– Volume in-flowing during the period
– Volume out-flowing during the period
Compute average concentration leaving the storage basin
– Divide the Pollutant load (already present plus added during
the period) with effluent volume (already present in the basin
plus added during the period)
– Instantaneous mixing of contents of the basin is assumed
Compute mass load of the pollutant during the period
Show the effect of equalization on pollution load to the ETP
– Graphically, or by ratios such as peak to average, minimum
to average and peak to minimum.
– In terms of standard deviation
 Average BOD Equalized BOD Equalized BOD
Volume in storage
Time Influent concentration concentration mass loading
at the end of the
period volume (m 3) during time during time during time period
time period (m 3)
period (mg / L) period (mg / L) (kg / h)
08--09 1,274 169 175 175 194
09--10 1,480 543 200 197 218
10--11 1,530 968 215 211 233
11--12 1,548 1,410 220 218 241
12--13 1,530 1,835 220 220 243
13--14 1,458 2,187 210 216 239
14--15 1,386 2,468 200 206 228
15--16 1,264 2,626 190 197 218
16--17 1,174 2,694 180 187 207
17--18 1,174 2,762 170 177 196
18--19 1,181 2,837 175 171 189
19--20 1,314 3,046 210 186 206
20--21 1,436 3,377 280 232 257
21--22 1,436 3,707 305 287 317
22--23 1,364 3,966 245 289 320
23--24 1,242 4,103 180 229 253
24--01 990 3,987 150 174 192
01--02 796 3,677 115 144 159
02--03 590 3,162 75 109 121
03--04 468 2,525 50 72 80
04--05 378 1,797 45 49 54
05--06 356 1,048 60 47 52
06--07 428 371 90 69 76
07--08 734 0 130 117 129
Average - - 193
Standard deviation 70 67 74
Max.-Min. vakes 45-305 47-289 52-319
Average load (192.5)
 Impact of Residual Volume on the
Strength Equalization
• Residual volume is usually provided to protect the
aeration/mixing equipment provided
• If residual volume increases strength equalization will also
increase
• Equalization basins can also be designed for strength
equalization
– Assuming the variability allowed is the first step
– Find flow equalization volume
– Take different residual volumes and compute the level of
strength equalization that can be achieved
– Choose the minimum residual volume at which the required
strength equalization can be achieved