Problem 8.

1
Problem: A rapid-mixing basin is to be designed for a water coagulation plant, and the design
flow for the basin is 4.0 MGD. The basin is to be square with depth equal to 1.25 times the
width. The velocity gradient is to be 900 s
-1
(at 50
O
F), and the detention time is 30 sec.
Determine:
a) The basin dimensions if increments of 1 in. are used.
b) The input horsepower.
c) The impeller speed if a vane-disc impeller with six flat blades is employed and the tank is
baffled. The impeller diameter is to be 50% of the basin width.

Approach: First, we solve for the volume of the tank by using the flow rate and the detention
time. We then use this volume to compute basin dimensions. Then, we use the velocity gradient
and the kinematic viscosity to obtain power. Lastly, we use the knowledge of impeller relations
to obtain impeller speed.

Variables:
= detention time x = length and width of basin
G = velocity gradient d = depth of basin
Q = flow rate P = Power input
= absolute viscosity of water D = diameter of impeller
n = impeller velocity = Volume of basin
W = Power imparted p = water density

Solution:
a) First, we need to calculate the volume of the basin. We accomplish this through the following:
= 0 =
4 1u
6
os
1 o

1 o
24 ors

1 or
6u n

1 n
6u sc

1
3
7.48 o
Su scons
= 18S.68
3

We now take this volume and equate it to the following:
=
2
= 1.2S = 1.2S
3

=
_

1.2S
3
=
_
18S.68
3
1.2S
3
= S.S S 4n
Now, solving for depth:
= 1.2S = 1.2S S.S = 6.67S 6 8n

Summary:
Basin Dimensions: 5ft-4in x 5ft-4in x 6ft-8in


b) First, we need to calculate the power imparted:
=
2
p = (9uus
-1
)
2
(2.7S 1u
-5
) = 22.11S
b
sc
3

Now, we can solve for the total power:
= = 22.11S
b
sc
3
(S.SS
i
)
2
(6.67
i
) = 419S
b
sc

Lastly, we convert to horsepower:
= 419S
b
sc

sc
SSu b
p = 7.62p
c) For this, we simply need the following equation:
n = (

K
1

5
p
)
13
= (
419S
b
sc
S.7S (2.667)
5
1.9S6
)
13
= 1.41
r
sc

6u sc
1 n
= 84.Srp

Problem 8.3:
Problem: A flocculation basin is to be designed for a water coagulation plant, and the design
flow is 13.0 MGD. The basin is to be a cross-flow horizontal-shaft, paddle-wheel type with a
mean velocity gradient of 26.7 s
-1
(at 50
0
F), a detention time of 45 min, and a GT value from
50,000 to 100,000. Tapered flocculation is to be provided, and three compartments of equal
depth in series are to be used, as shown in Figure 8.19(b). The compartments are to be separated
by slotted, redwood baffle fences, and the basin floor is level. The G values are to be 50, 20, and
10s
-1
. The flocculation basin is to have a width of 90ft to adjoin the settling basin. The paddle
wheels are to have blades with a 6 in width and a length of 10ft. The outside blades should clear
the floor by 1 ft and be 1 ft below the water surface. There are to be six blades per paddle wheel,
and the blades should have a spacing of 1 ft. Adjacent paddle wheels should have a clear
spacing of 30 to 36 in. between blades. The wall clearance is 12 to 18 in. Determine:
a) The basin Dimensions
b) The paddle-wheel design
c) The power to be imparted to the water in each compartment and the total power required
for the basin.
d) The range in rotational speed for each compartment if 1:4 variable speed drives are
employed.

Approach: To begin, well solve for the GT value. Also, well solve for the dimensions of the
basin using a volume equation compared with the flow. From this, we will assume square
compartments in profile (depth = length for each profile). This will give us our dimensions.
Using those dimensions, we can solve for the paddle wheel design relatively easily with the
restrictions given. From here, we can use the viscosity of the water, the separate G values and the
volume of each compartment to solve for the power (in hp) required for each compartment. We
then simply add those up to obtain total power. Lastly, we can use relations of water speed
versus rotational speed to obtain the rotations in rpms (the range).

Variables:
= detention time x = width of basin
G = velocity gradient d = depth of basin
Q = flow rate = absolute viscosity of water
d = diameter of paddle wheel v = blade velocity relative to water
= Volume of basin P = Power imparted
L = Length of Basin GT = GT value




Solution:
a) To begin, we need to check that the GT value will fall in the appropriate range (50,000-
100,000):
= 0 =
26.7
sc
4Sn
6u sc
1 n
= 72,u9u
5, 72, 9 1, !
Next, we compute the volume of the entire basin:
= 0 =
1S.u H
24 ors

1 or
6u n
4Sn
1
3
7.48 o
= S.4S 1u
4

3

We already know the width of the basin, so we can divide that out to obtain the profile area of
the basin:
I =

=
S.4S 1u
4

3
9u
= 6uS.46
2

To obtain that each of profiles of the compartments is a square, we assume that per compartment,
length = depth. Therefore:
S = 6uS.46
2
= 14 2n on I
tot
= 42 6n

Final basin dimensions:
L = 426 x = 90 d = 142 = 54187.5 ft
3


b) If we assume a six-blade paddle wheel design and that both clearances from the top and
bottom of 1 ft, we will try and get our D
1
to match accordingly.

1
= 2(1) 2 _
1
2

i
] = 14.17 2(1) 2 _
1
2
u.S] = 11.67 11. Jt
We also know that each of the other diameters is equal to twice the spading between blades plus
the width of each blade multiplied by two.

2
=
1
2(1) 2(
i
) = 11.6 2(1) 2(. S) = 8. Jt

3
=
2
2(1) 2(
i
) = 8.6 2(1) 2(u.S) = 5. Jt
Now that the wheel dimensions are known, we need to calculate how many paddle wheels per
arm. To accomplish this, we take the total width of the basin and subtract out the minimum
wheel spacing between wheels and the minimum spacing between the walls. Note: the spacing
between wheels will be a function of the number of wheels themselves, but the wall spacing will
remain constant. Once we have this number, we will round down to the nearest whole integer.
We cannot round up because this would mean we have exceeded our basin width.
= 9u = n(1u) + 2(1) + (n 1)(2.S)
= 7 whee
We must now check our answer to make sure this number of wheels will work. First, attempt to
hold the wall clearances constant at 1ft and increase wheel spacing, being sure not to cross the 36
in. clearance limit.
= 9u = (7)(1u) + 2(1) + (7 1)()
y = 3Jt
c) First, we must check that the total paddle blade areas are between 15 and 20% of the total
cross-sectional area of each compartment. We start by calculating out the total cross-sectional
area of the blades in each compartment:
= I
i

i
6 7 = (1u)(u.S)(6)(7) = 21u
2

We now compare this to the area of each compartment that the blades cover (width times depth):
% occp =

bIudcs

1uu% =
21u
2
9u 14.17
1uu% = 16.S%
This falls firmly between the bounds of 15-20%. Therefore, the following equation can be used
in solving for the power imparted on each shaft:

1
= p
2

S
= _2.7S 1u
-5
b s

2
] _
Su
sc
]
2

S4187.S
3
S
= 1233
Jt

We simply repeat this step for compartments 2 and 3, changing the G values to match:

2
= _2.7S 1u
-5
b s

2
] _
2u
sc
]
2

S4187.S
3
S
= 197
Jt

3
= _2.7S 1u
-5
b s

2
] _
1u
sc
]
2

S4187.S
3
S
= 49
Jt

To obtain the total energy required, we simply sum these:
Total power imparted = 1479 ft-lb/s

d) To start, we will find the velocity of each blade relative to the water:

n
= (rps) _
n
n
r
] u.7S
1
= (rps)(n)(11.6)(u.7S) = 27.SS(rps)
We repeat this step for the other blades at their respective diameters:

2
= (rps)(n)(8.6)(u.7S) = 2u.26(rps)

3
= (rps)(n)(S.6)(u.7S) = 1S.19(rps)
Now that we have these relative velocities, we can use this in the power equation supplied to
each wheel individually (take the total power in each compartment and divide by the number of
wheels per compartment) to solve for the revolutions per second. This can be converted into and
rpm value. This rpm value will be the upper rpm bound for the 1:4 variable speed driver. So, to
get the complete bounds on this driver, we simply take the maximum rpm value and divide by
four. We start with the power supplied per wheel in each compartment:
oporn 1:
whccI
=

7
=
12SS bs
7
= 176.14 bs
oporn 2:
whccI
=

7
=
197 bs
7
= 28.14 bs
oporn S:
whccI
=

7
=
49 bs
7
= 7.uu bs
We now equate these individual powers to the overall power equations:

n
= u.97

(
1
3
+
2
3
+
3
3
)

So, plugging in numbers for each value, we can solve for the rps in each component:
Compartment 1
176.14
b
s
= (u.97)(2)(1.S)(1u u.S)((27.SSrps)
3
+ (2u.26rps)
3
+ (1S.19rps)
3
)
rps = u.u7S
6u sc
1 n
= 4.S8rp oo on:
rp
mux
4
=
4.S8rp
4
= 1.1urp
Answer: 1.10rpm to 4.38rpm

Compartment 2
28.14 bs = (u.97)(2)(1.S)(1u u.S)((27.SSrps)
3
+ (2u.26rps)
3
+ (1S.19rps)
3
)
rps = u.u4u
6u sc
1 n
= 2.4rp oo on:
rp
mux
4
=
2.4rp
4
= u.6rp
Answer: 0.60rpm to 2.40rpm

Compartment 3
7 bs = (u.97)(2)(1.S)(1u u.S)((27.SSrps)
3
+ (2u.26rps)
3
+ (1S.19rps)
3
)
rps = u.u2S
6u sc
1 n
= 1.Surp oo on:
rp
mux
4
=
1.Surp
4
= u.S8rp
Answer: 0.38rpm to 1.50rpm





Problem 8.5
Problem: A pneumatic flocculation basin is to be designed for a tertiary treatment plant having a
flow of 5.0 MGD. The plant is to employ high-pH lime coagulation, and the pertinent data for
the flocculation basin are as follows: detention time = 5min, G = 150s
-1
(at 50
O
F), length = 2
times width, depth = 9ft-10in, diffuser depth = 9ft-0in, and air flow = 4 cfm per diffuser.
Determine:
a) The basin dimensions if 1in increments are used.
b) The total air flow in ft
3
/min.
c) The number of diffusers.

Approach: First, well solve for the basin dimensions the same way as was solved for in the
previous problem. Then, we can solve for the total air flow by using a relation between power

Solution:
a) First, we need to calculate the volume of the basin. We accomplish this through the following:
= 0 =
S 1u
6
os
1 o

1 o
24 ors

1 or
6u n

1
3
7.48 o
S ns = 2S21
3

We now take this volume and equate it to the following:
= I I = 2 = 9 1un (9.8SSS)

9.8SS
= 2
2

=
_

2 9.8SSS
= _
2S21
3
2 9.8SSS
= 1u.86 1u 1un
Now, solving for length:
I = 2 = 2 1u.86 = 21.72 21 9n

Summary:
Basin Dimensions: 10ft-10in x 21ft-9in x 9ft-10in

b) To begin, well solve for the power:
=
2
p= (1Sus
-1
)
2
(2.7S 1u
-5
) (1u.8SSS 21.7S 9.8SSS)
= 142S.2
b
sc

Now, we use this power in the following equation to solve for air flow:
=
1

u
log _
+ c
2
c
2
]
Where:
h = height of diffuser C
1
= 81.5 (British Units)
c
2
= 34 (British Units)

Rearranging and solving:

u
=

1
log
+ c
2
c
2

=
142S.2
81.S log _
9 + S4
S4
]
= 171.2

3
n


c) For this, we simply divide the total air flow provided by the amount required per diffuser (4
cfm):
srs =
171.2

3
n
4

3
n
pr sr
= 42.8 srs 4S srs