Treatment Plant Hydraulics

Lecture No. 8

1. General

Hydraulic Profile. A hydraulic profile is a complete tracing of he water surface, HGL

or hydraulic grade line, through a treatment plant.
Purpose:
- To ensure that the hydraulic gradient is adequate for flow through the treatment
works.
- To establish the energy, head, needed for pumps.
- To ensure that the plant facilities will not be flooded or backed up during periods
of peak flow.
- The hydraulic profile is typically a regulatory requirement.
Most conventional water treatment plants require 16-17ft of headloss across the plant.
This means that a difference of 16-17ft must exist between the water level at the head
of the plant and the high water level in the clearwell, which is at the tailend of he
processes. An advanced plant with preozonation, postozonation and GAC may require
25 ft of headloss. A flat and level site is NOT the best choice for the average plant.
The ideal plant will have a 3-5% slope.
The hydraulic profile involves a careful consideration of frictional losses in pipes,
minor losses and losses in control structures.
Typical headlosses:
Treatment Unit
Bar Screen
Grit Chamber
Primary Sedimentation
Aeration Tank
Trickling Filter
Secondary Sedimentation
Filtration
Carbon adsorption
Chlorine contact tank

Headloss Range
ft
.5-1
1.5-4
1.5-3
.7-2
10-20
1.5-3
10-16
10-20
.7-6

2. Frictional Pipe Headlosses

Any accurate headloss equation may be used.

The Darcy-Weisbach equation is preferred because it considers the fluid being
transported.

Treatment Plant Hydraulics

h = f Error!Error!
Where:
h = headloss, ft
f = Darcy-Weisbach friction factor, dimensionless (.01-.07, usually .02-.03)
L = pipe length, ft
D = pipe diameter, ft
v = mean velocity, fps
g = acceleration due to gravity, ft2/s

3. Minor Headloss

A minor headloss is involves any pipe appurtenance which is NOT a straight run of
pipe.
Typical minor losses:
- valves
- expanders, reducers
- turns, tees, bends
- entrances, exits
Empirical equations, most useful:
hminor = KminorError!
Where:
hminor = headloss, ft
Kminor = coefficient, dimensionless
v = mean velocity, fps
g = acceleration due to gravity, ft2/s

Typical K values:
- K=.5 Perpendicular square entrance
- K=.15 Gate valve, full open
- K = 10 Globe valve
- K=1 Exit from pipe to reservoir

4. Headlosses from Control Structures (Weirs)

The Francis Formula may be used for rectangular weirs:

Q = 1.84(L-.1nh)h3/2

where:
Q = discharge, m3/s or cfs
1.84 = constant for metric system
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3.33 = constant of for US Customary system
L = length of crest of weir, m or ft
n = number of end contractions
h = head on weir crest, ft
For 90 triangular weirs:
Q = .55 h5/2
Q = discharge, m /s or cfs
.55 = constant for metric system
2.48 = constant of for US Customary system
h = head on weir crest, ft
3

5. Inlet and Outlet Hydraulics

A. Inlet
A

Section A-A

PLAN

d2

Q4

Q2

Q3

Q1

d2

Section B-B

Center Line

Q4 .90 Q1, In order to achieve equal flow through the orifices, the head through the
orifices should be >> than the flume losses.
Orifice discharge formula:
Q = .6A ,2gh

Where:
Q = discharge, cfs
.6 = constant of for US Customary system

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h = head on weir crest, ft
g = acceleration due to gravity, ft2/s
The velocity in the influent pipe should be sufficient to main the suspended solids in
suspension but < 4fps to avoid excessive headloss.
B. Outlet
A

A
B

PLAN
V-notch weir
Weir
Plate

H0

Section B-B

Section A-A
If the weir is suppressed:

Center Line

Q = 3.33LH3/2

If a 90 V-notch weir
Q = 2.54LH5/2

Where:
Q = discharge, cfs
3.33, 2.54 = constant of for US Customary system
h = head on weir crest, ft
L= Weir length, ft
The depth of flow in the effluent channel is give by the lateral spillway equation for a
level channel:
H0 = Error!
Where:
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H0 = upstream depth, ft
d= downstream depth, ft
dbar = mean depth, ft
Q = discharge, cfs
g = acceleration due to gravity, ft2/s
b = channel width, ft
f = Darcy-Weisbach friction factor, dimensionless (.01-.07, usually .02-.03), .03-.12 for
concrete
L = channel length, ft
Rbar = mean hydraulic radius, ft
Solution procedure:
- Perform a trial calculation for H0 ignoring friction. The friction term is the third
term in equation, Error!) Estimate friction at .06 to .16 of the water surface drawdown.
The water surface drawdown is H0-d, the depths at either end of the channel.
- dbar and Rbar can then be calculated
- recalculate H0 considering friction
- Add 3-4 from the weir crest to the maximum water surface at H 0
- d is set by the elevation of the water surface in the effluent box, a downstream
condition:
dmin = yc (critical depth)
For a rectangular channel:
yc = Error!1/3
Where:
yc = critical depth, ft
q = Q/b, ft2/s
Q = discharge, cfs
g = acceleration due to gravity, ft2/s
b = channel width, ft

6. Examples
A. Given: Circular primary clarifier. ADF=1.5 MGD. Qpeak=2.6ADF. OR(ADF) = 800 gpd/ft2.
t(ADF)=2hrs. OR(peak)=75.0gal/(hr.ft2). t(peak)=.5hr. dmin=8.0
Find:
1.) diameter and depth of tank
2.) H over V-notch weirs, use 90 triangular weirs, 8 OC.
3.) Weir depth, 1 of Freeboard
4.) depth of water in the influent box, b=15
5.) H0
6.) depth of effluent channel, triangular weirs with a 4 freefall
1.) diameter and depth of tank
A(ADF) = Q/OR = 1.5x106 gal/day x ft2/day/800gal
A(ADF) = 1,875ft2
depth(ADF) = ORt = 800 gpd/ft2. x 2hr x Error! x 1day/24hr
depth(ADF) = 8.91, say 9.0

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Area(peak) = 1.5x106 gal/day x 2.6(peaking factor) x 1ft2.hr/75gal x 1day/24hr
Area(peak) = 2,166.7ft2
depth(peak) = 75gal/ft2.hr x Error! x .5hr
depth(peak) = 5.01
Peak controls area, ADF depth controls
Error!D2 = 2,166.7ft2
D=52.52, day 55
Use diameter=55, depth = 9.0
2.) H over V-notch weirs, use 90 triangular weirs, 8 OC.
weir length = D = (55)
weir length = 172.79
number of weirs = 172.79 x 1/8 x 12/ft
number of weirs = 259
Q = 1.5x106 gal/day x 2.6(peaking factor) x Error! x 1day/24hr x 1min/60s x 1hr/60min
Q = 6.035cfs
Q/weir = 6.035cfs/259weirs
Q/weir = .0233cfs/weir
Q = 2.48 h5/2
Q = 2.48 h5/2 = .0233cfs/weir
h = .155 = 1.85
3.) Weir depth, 1 of Freeboard
Weir Depth = height required by weir + freeboard = 1.85 + 1
Weir Depth = 2.85
4.) depth of water in the influent box, b=15
dmin = yc (critical depth)
For a rectangular channel:
yc = Error!1/3
Where:
yc = critical depth, ft
q = Q/b, ft2/s
Q = discharge, cfs
g = acceleration due to gravity, ft2/s
b = channel width, ft
q=Q/b =( 6.035/2channels ) / 15/12in/ft
q=2.414cfs/ftr
yc = Error!1/3
yc = .57
5.) H0
H0 = Error!
Follow solution methodology, drop friction term, i.e. the third term:
H0 = Error!
H0 = .98
Next step, assume friction head =16% (range 6-16%) of the water surface drawdown:
H0 = .98 + .16(H0 -.57)
H0 = 1.06
The average depth and hydraulic radius may now be calculated:
dbar = (.57+1.06)/2
dbar = .815

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Treatment Plant Hydraulics

Rbar = A/Pw = .815(1.25) / (.815+1.25+.815)
Rbar = .354
Recalculate the headloss WITH the friction term:
L=Circumference/2channels = D = (55)
L=86.4
H0 = Error!
H0 = Error!
H0 = 1.07
6.) depth of effluent channel, triangular weirs with a 4 freefall
Depth of effluent channel = H0 + freefall = 1.07 + 4
Depth of effluent channel = 18

B. Given :

V-nothch weir, 900

Inlet channel

15m

Straight
Francis weir

50m
.6m dia

40m
.5m dia

V-nothch weir, 900

Weir crest set at 100feet

Effluent
17m

Influent
Primary
Sedimentation
Tank

Aeration
Tanks

Secondary
Sedimentation
Tank

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Treatment Plant Hydraulics

1.Flows: ADF=8000m3/d, peak flow (PF) =16,000 m3/day (.185m3/s)

2.Primary Sedimentation Tank: diameter at weir=15m, weir spacing .3m, weir type = 90V-notch,
weir depth =.1m, return sludge flow = .15Q
3. Aeration Tank: Inlet type=slide gates, number of gates = 6 , width of slide gates = .2m, Return
activated sludge, RAS, = .25Q at PF, L(effluent weir) =15m, weir type=straight sharp edged.
4. Secondary Sedimentation Tank: Weir crest elevation=100m. This is the starting point of the
project; begin calculation here and work upstream. diameter of the weir circle=17m, weir spacing
= .3m, weir type = 90V-notch, weir depth=.1m, underflow = .4Q
5. Headloss. Coefficients: pipe entrance-.5; bends-.4; exits-1.0; pipe-.02; headloss across the
aeration tank = .02m; neglect liquid in underflow from the primary sedimentation tank; neglect
headloss between slide gates in the aeration tank effluent channel. Assume the inlet slide gates to
the aeration tank can be modeled as a Francis weir with 2 end contractions. Assume the effluent
weir in the aeration tank can be modeled as a Francis weir. In setting weir elevations, assume a
freefall of .01m between the weir crest and the water surface of the downstream channel.
Find: Prepare a hydraulic profile for peak flow conditions and set the control elevations
1. ) Determine the water surface elevation in the secondary clarifier. Start at the downstream
control point which is very often a river or lake and work upstream to the area of the treatment
works. In this case, 100m is given at a downstream point of the plant, the secondary sedimentation
tank.
Starting at the downwater side, lowpoint, of the secondary sedimentation tank:
A.) Number of weirs
number of weirs = D/weir spacing = (17)/.3
number of weirs = 177.9 say 178 weirs
B.) Q/weir
Q/weir = (16,000 m3/d)/178 weirs
Q/weir = 89.89 m3/d.weir x 1day/24h x 1h/60min x 1min/60s
Q/weir = .00104 m3/s.weir

C.) Head on weir

Q = .55 h5/2
.00104 m3/s.weir = .55h5/2
h = .081m
D.) Water surface in the secondary clarifier
elevation = 100m (given as the starting point) + headloss in the weir
elevation = 100m (given as the starting point) + .081m
elevation = 100.081m
2.) Determine the water surface elevation in the aeration tank effluent channel
A.) v
Q = Q + .4Q(recirculation) =1.4Q
A=R2
v=Q/A = 1.4Q(1.85m3/s) / (.3)2
v=.92m/s
B.) Determine the headloss in the piping system between the aeration and secondary tanks
h = (kexit + 2kbends + fL/D (pipe) + kentrance)v2/2g
h = (1 + 2(.4) + (.02)50m/.6m + .5) x .922/(2)(9.81)
h = .171m
C.) Water surface in aeration tank effluent channel
elevation = 100.081m + .171m
elevation = 100.252m

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3.)Set the elevation of the effluent discharge weir and determine the water surface elevation in the
aeration tank near the discharge weir
A.) Discharge weir elevation
elevation = channel elevation + freefall = 100.252 + .010 (given)
elevation = 100.262m
B.) Determine the headloss on the effluent weir assuming 2 end contractions:
Q = 1.84(L-.1nh)h3/2
where:
Q = discharge, m3/s or cfs
1.84 = constant for metric system
3.33 = constant of for US Customary system
L = length of crest of weir, m or ft
n = number of end contractions
h = head on weir crest, ft
1.4(1.85m3/s) = 1.84(15m-.1(2)h)h3/2
h = .044m by trial and error.
A trial and error solution is in order. Such a solution can easily be formulated by solving the above
equation without the .1nh term as the first trial.
C. Water surface in the tank near the discharge weir
elevation = 100.262 + .044
elevation = 100.306m
4.) Set the elevation of the slide gates and determine the water surface elevation in the influent
channel to the aeration tank
A.) Assume .020 across the aeration tank. This is given and it is noted that this is NOT a well
documented phenomenon. Assume .01m freefall between the crest of the slide gate and the water
surface in the aeration tank.
B.) Crest of slide gate
elevation = 100.306 + .020 + .010
elevation = 100.336m
C.) Determine the head on the slide gates
1.))flow per gate = 1.4(1.85 m3/s) / 6 gates
flow per gate = .043m3/s
2.))head on gates assuming a Francis weir with 2 end contractions
Q = 1.84(L-.1nh)h3/2
1.85m3/s = 1.84(.5m-.1(2)h)h3/2
h=.139m (trial and error solution, assume h values until the right side of the equal sign matches
what is on the left side of the equal sign)
D.)Water surface in the influent channel to the aeration tanks
elevation = 100.336 + .139
elevation = 100.475m
5.) Determine the water surface elevation in the primary sedimentation tank effluent channel
A.) v
Q = Q + .15Q(recirculation) =1.15Q
A=R2
v=Q/A = 1.15Q(1.85m3/s) / (.25)2
v= 1.08 m/s
B.) Determine the headloss in the piping system between the aeration and primary tanks
h = (kexit + 2kbends + fL/D (pipe) + kentrance)v2/2g
h = (1 + 2(.4) + (.02)40m/.5m + .5) x 1.08 2/(2)(9.81)
h = .232m
C.) Water surface in primary sedimentation tank effluent channel
elevation = 100.475m + .232m

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Treatment Plant Hydraulics

elevation = 100.707m
6.) Set the elevation of the primary effluent weirs and determine the water surface elevation in the
primary sedimentation tanks
A.) Set the elevation of the V-notch weirs in the primary sedimentation tank
elevation = channel elevation + freefall
elevation = 100.707 + .010
elevation = 100.717m
B.) Number of weirs
number of weirs = D/weir spacing = (15)/.3
number of weirs = 157 weirs
C .) Q/weir
Q/weir = 1.15(16,000 m3/d)/157 weirs
Q/weir = 117.2 m3/d.weir x 1day/24h x 1h/60min x 1min/60s
Q/weir = .00136 m3/s.weir
D.) Head on weir
Q = .55 h5/2
.00136 m3/s.weir = .55h5/2
h = .091m
E.) Water surface in the primary sedimentation tank
elevation = 100.717 + .091
elevation = 100.808m

100.475
100.336
100.808

100.717

15m

100.306
100.262
100.252

100.326

50m
.6m dia

40m
.5m dia

100.081
100.000

Effluent
17m

Influent
Primary
Sedimentation
Tank

Aeration
Tanks

Secondary
Sedimentation
Tank

HOMEWORK No.10, Treatment Plant Hydraulics

Problems:
10A. Given: A gravity type mixed media filter has washwater troughs that are level and
are 18 long, 1.25 wide and are spaced 6 apart center to center. The wash rate is
15gpm/ft2.
Find:

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Treatment Plant Hydraulics

1.) The depth of water above the trough crest if the trough is level. The discharge over the
weir on one side of the trough is given by Q = 3.33LH3/2 where Q=cfs, L=trough length,ft,
H depth of water over the crest, ft.
3.) The upstream water depth in the was trough.
Use: H0 = Error!, increase H0 by 16% to allow for friction and then check using the
complete formula.
4.) The trough depth if the trough crest is 3 above the maximum water depth in the
trough, H0
10B. Given: Hydraulic profile problem
Assume:
a. 90 V-notch weirs are to be used in the primary and secondary clarifiers
b. Weirs are to be placed .30m on center and the given weir height is at the bottom of the
V-notch
c. Concrete piping, f=.021,is to be used to interconnect the treatment units
d. Recycled flow enters at the head of the aeration units.
10C. Given: Plot the hydraulic profile for your project.

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