Solved Problems: Lecture 14

1. A small stream with initial contaminant concentration of 10 µg/L flows past a landfill for
a 10 km stretch. More of the same contaminant seeps into the stream from the landfill.
Contaminant seepage can be approximated as a uniform line source. The half-life of the
contaminant (first-order decay) is 5 days and the stream velocity is 0.1 m/s. Steady-state
concentration of the contaminant at the end of the stretch is 25 µg/L. Determine the
magnitude of the line source (ST, mg/m/d). Assume that dispersion in the stream can be
neglected in comparison to advection and the stream cross-section area is 5 m2 and is
uniform in the stretch under question.
Given: for the differential equation of the type,
dC
= S − L.C , Boundary condition: C (x = 0) = Co
dx
S
analytical solution is: C o . exp( − L.x ) + .[1 − exp( − L.x )]
L

Solution:
dC S
Governing Differential Equation: 0 = UX. + k.C − T
dx A
dC  S T   k 
or, =  −  .C
dx  A.U x   Ux 
Boundary condition: At x = 0, C = 10 µg/L

 k   ST    k 
Analytical Solution: C( x ) = 10. exp  − .x  +  .1 − exp − .x 
 U x   A.k    U x 
dC
For First order decay, = −k.C , putting, at t = 0, C = Co and solving,
dt
C 
C( t ) = C o . exp(− k.t ) , or, ln  o  = k.t , or, ln( 2) = k.(5)
C
ln(2)
or, k = = 0.139 / d
5
Substituting in the analytical solution,

 0.139   ST   0.139 
C( x ) = 25 = 10. exp  − .(10).10 3  +  .1 − exp − .(10).10 3 
 (0.1).86400   5.(0.139).(1000)    (0.1).86400 
25 − 10.(0.851)
C(x ) = 25 = 10.(0.851) + 0.214.S T ; or, S T = = 77.05 mg/m/d
0.000214
2. Consider a river with uniform cross-section and constant velocity in the direction of flow
of 2 m/s. The suspended solid concentration in the river is 500 g/m3 throughout the river
stretch in question, i.e., there is no settling of solids to the bottom of the river, or re-
suspension of solids from the bottom sediments throughout the river stretch. 50 mg/L of
a toxic pollutant is added continuously at x = 0. The partition coefficient (Kp) of the
pollutant between the solid and liquid phase is 1 m3/Kg. It is known that the pollutant
undergoes decomposition by first-order catalytic oxidation (k = 0.01 /s), a reaction that
only takes place in the solid phase, i.e., when the pollutant is adsorbed on the suspended
solids. In addition, the rate of volatilization of the pollutant from aqueous phase is given
by, kv = 0.005/s. However, the partial pressure of the pollutant in air is negligibly small.
Determine the steady state concentration of the pollutant in the solid and liquid phase
(both in mg/L) 1000 m downstream of the point of pollutant addition. The value of the
dispersion coefficient (Ex) is 2 m2/s.
dC d 2C
Given: for the differential equation of the type, 0 = − U x .
+ Ex − k.C
dx dx 2
C
with B.C C(∞ ) = C ( −∞ ) = 0 analytical solution (for x ≥ 0) is, C( x ) = 0 . exp( j2 r .x ) ,
αr
1
 4.k.E x 2 U
where, α r = 1 +  and j2 r = x .(1 − α r )
 U 2x  2.E x

Solution: Governing Differential Equation:

∂C d ∂C ∂ 2Cd  k   kv 
+ U x . d − E 2x . − .C p −  .{(C d ) s − C d } = 0
∂t ∂x ∂x 2 1 + K p .m   (1 + K p .m) 
Also, C p = K p .m.C d ,
and, (C d ) s = 0 , since partial pressure of the pollutant is zero.
∂C d ∂C ∂ 2 C d  k.K p .m + k v 
Hence, + U x . d − E 2x . − .C d = 0
∂t ∂x ∂x 2  1 + K p .m 
 
 
   U .x    4.k * .E   
0.5
[C d ] o  x
Analytical Solution: C d ( x ) =  0.5 
. exp .1 −  x
+ 1  

 2.E x    U x   
2
  4.k * .E x  
  2
+ 1 
 U x  
 k.K p .m + k v  0.01.(1).(0.5) + 0.005
Where, k* =  = = 6.67 x10 − 3 / s ;
 1 + K p .m  [1 + ( 0 . 5).(1 )]

U x = 2 m/s; E x = 2 m 2 / s ;
 1 1
Also, Fd = = = 0.667 ;
1 + K p .m 1 + (0.5).(1)
0.5 0.5
 4.k * .E x   4.(6.67 x10 −3 ).2 
 2
+ 1 
 =  + 1 = 1.0066
 U x   4 
Also, (C d ) o = Fd .C o = (0.667).(50) = 33.33 mg/L

Substituting the above values in analytical solution,

 33.33   2.(1000) 
C d (1000) =   . exp  .(1 − 1.0066)  = 1.22 mg/L
1.0066   4 

C d (1000) = 1.22 mg/L ;

C p (1000) = K p .m.C d (1000) = (1).(0.5).(1.65) = 0.61 mg/L

3. Consider a river with a rectangular cross

cross-section
section of width W and water depth H. Flow
velocity is U. From the point x = 0 onwards in the positive x-direction
direction (say to infinity)
the river sediment is contaminated with a compound C. There is no sediment
contamination with this compound C at x < 0. The compound is being desorbed from the
sediment to the water column at th the constant rate F (g/m2/d). In water, the compound C
undergoes first order decay with the rate constant kd (/d). The compound C is also
volatile with a mass transfer coefficient (kgl, in m/d). Assume that the gas phase
concentration of the compound is nnegligible.
a) Write (do not solve) the steady
steady-state
state differential equation describing variation in
dissolved concentration of the contaminant (C) with x.
b) Assume that the river is a PFR. Find the location and the expression for maximum
dissolved concentration
tion of C in the river.
Solution:
 Under steady state conditions,
Rate of mass input = Rate of mass output
Rate of mass input = J ( x ).W.H + F.W.∆x
Rate of mass output = J ( x + ∆x ).W.H + K d .C( x ).H.W.∆x + k gl .C( x ).W.∆x
Assembling: J ( x ).W.H + F.W.∆x = J ( x + ∆x ).W.H + K d .C( x ).H.W.∆x + k gl .C( x ).W.∆x
J ( x + ∆x ) − J ( x ) C( x ) F
Dividing by W.H. x, + K d .C( x ) + K gl . − =0 (Eq. 1)
∆x H H
dC( x ) dC( x + ∆x )
J ( x ) = U.C( x ) − E x . ; J ( x + ∆x ) = U.C( x + ∆x ) − E x .
dx dx
J ( x + ∆x ) − J ( x ) dC d 2C
When, ∆x → 0, = U. − Ex. 2
∆x dx dX
dC d 2C C( x ) F
Substituting in Eq. 1, U. − E x . 2 + K d .C( x ) + K gl . − =0
dx dX H H

dC C( x ) F
If river is a PFR, U.+ K d .C( x ) + K gl . − =0 (Eq. 2)
dx H H
By inspection, maximum steady state dissolved concentration of C shall be at x = ∞ . At
dC
this point, =0
dx
dC  K gl  F F
Putting = 0 in Eq. 2, C max .K d + = ; C max =
dx  H  H K d .H + K gl

4.
Consider a river with the following
uniform characteristics. Flow = Q; Cross-
Cross
sectional Area = A; Flow velocity = U;
Width = W; Height = H.

In addition to the point load, a line load of

BOD is also added to the river. Further,
both the point and line load of BOD added
has a particulate component which settles
with a velocity of Vs m/d. The first order
BOD degradation constant is Kd /d.

In addition to the point load and line load

of BOD consuming DO, there is a sediment
oxygen demand of SA and net DO
production due to photosynthetic activity
(SV). The re-aeration
aeration rate constant is Ka /d.
Write the mass balance equations for BOD and DO (both in the difference form) under
steady state conditions for the segment of length ∆x situated at a distance x from x = 0, as
shown in the figure above. Thus determine expressions for determining BOD(x+∆x) and
DO(x+∆x), given BOD(x) and DO(x) values. Consider the river to be a PFR.

Solution: A = W.H; U = Q/A;

BOD mass balance: Rate BOD inflow = Rate BOD outflow
Rate BOD inflow = BOD(x).A.U + SL.∆x
Rate BOD outflow = BOD(x+∆x).A.U +Vs.∆x.W.BOD(x+∆x) +Kd.BOD(x+∆x).A.∆x

Assembling,
BOD(x).A.U + SL.∆x = BOD(x+∆x).A.U +Vs.∆x.W.BOD(x +∆x) +Kd.BOD(x+∆x).A.∆x

BOD( x ).A.U + S L .∆x

BOD( x + ∆x ) =
[A.U + Vs .∆x.W + K d .A.∆x ]

DO Mass Balance:
Rate of DO inflow = Rate of DO outflow
Rate of DO inflow = U.DO(x).A + kgl.[DOs-DO(x+∆x)].W.∆x
Rate of DO outflow = U.DO(x+∆x).A + SA.W.∆x + Sv.A.∆x + Kd.[BOD(x+∆x)].A.∆x

Assembling,
U.DO(x).A + kgl.[DOs-DO(x+∆x)].W.∆x = U.DO(x+∆x).A + SA.W.∆x + Sv.A.∆x
+ Kd.[BOD(x+∆x)].A.∆x
Putting, Ka = kgl.W/A
U.DO(x).A + Ka.[DOs-DO(x+∆x)].A.∆x = U.DO(x+∆x).A + SA.W.∆x + Sv.A.∆x
+ Kd.[BOD(x+∆x)].A.∆x
U.DO( x ).A + K a .(DO s ).A.∆x − S A .W.∆x − S V .A.∆x − K d .BOD( x + ∆x ).A.∆x
DO( x + ∆x ) =
U.A + K a .A.∆x
5. Consider a river with the following uniform characteristics. Flow = Qr; Cross-sectional
Cross
Area = A; Flow velocity = U U; Width = W; Height = H.. Describe in detail the procedure
for determining the dispersion coefficient of the river (Ex) through tracer study.

Solution:

Choose a tracer with the following characteristics, 1) conservative, 2) non-toxic

non and 3) its
concentration is negligible in the river water.

Add Mo kg/m2 (cross-sectional

sectional area) at x = 0 at time t = 0. Addition should be done in a
short time and uniformly across the cross section.

The added tracer will disp

disperse in the x-direction
direction as it travels down the river. The tracer
concentration will be masured at x = xo. The crest of the tracer concentration will pass x
= xo at time to = xo/U. Start
tart monitorin
monitoring the tracer concentration at x0 at time t0-∆t (when
the concentration is very low) and continue monitoring until time t0+∆t, t, when the
concentration is again very low. Peak concentration shall be seen at t = t0.

The tracer profile at x = xo over the time

interval t0-∆t to t0+∆tt shall be as shown in
the figure.

The value of Ex can be determined from

the trace concentration profile by
comparision with the analytical solution of
the problem under the same conditions.
The procedure is as follows,
Analytical solution is as below:
Using the analytical solution
determine C(x0,t) values in the
t0-∆t to t0+∆tt range for various
Ex values.

Compare this curve with the

experimental data. Identify the
curve which matches best with
the experimental data.

Ex of this curve is the best

approximation of the Ex value
in the river.

6. A small stream with initial contaminant concentration of 10 µg/Lg/L flows past a landfill for
a 10 km stretch. More of the same contaminant seeps into the stream from the landfill.
Contaminant seepage can be approximated as a uniform line source a magnitude 100
mg/m/d. The half-life
life of the contaminant (first
(first-order decay)
ecay) is 5 days and the stream
velocity is 0.1 m/s. Find the steady
steady-state
state concentration of the contaminant at the end of
the stretch in µg/L.
g/L. Assume that dispersion in the stream can be neglected in
cross-section area is 5 m2 and is uniform in the
comparison to advection and the stream cross
stretch under question.
General solution of differential equation:
dC
= S − L.C B.C.: at x = 0, C = Co;
dx
S
C( x ) = C o . exp(− L.x ) + .[1 − exp(− L.x )]
L
Solution:
∂C ∂C ∂ 2 C M LSO M LSI M ASO M ASI
= −U x + ED. 2 + − + − − k.C
∂t ∂x ∂x A A H H
dC M
PFR, Steady state, 0 = −U x + 0 + LSO − k.C
dx A
dC  M LSO   k 
MLSO = 10 mg/m/d = 0.01 g/m/d =  −  .C
dx  A.U x   Ux 

Boundary condition: At x = 0, C = 10 µg/L = 0.01 g/m3

 Analytical Solution:
 k   0.01    k 
C( x ) = 0.01. exp  − .x  +  .1 − exp − .x 
 U x   A.k    U x 
U = 0.1 m/s; A = 5m2
dC
For first order decay, = −k.C , putting, at t = 0, C = Co and solving,
dt

C 
C( t ) = C o . exp(− k.t ) , or, ln  o  = k.t , or, ln( 2) = k.(5) or,
C
ln(2)
k= = 0.139 / d
5
Substituting in the analytical solution,

 0.139   (0.01)    0.139 

C(10000) = 0.01. exp  − .(10).10 3  +  .1 − exp − .(10).10 3 
 (0.1).86400   5.(0.139)    (0.1).86400 

C(10000) = 0.01065 g/m3 = 10.65 µg/L

7. Consider a PFR operating under steady state conditions which is open to atmosphere. Its
uniform cross-section area is A, and uniform surface width is W. The concentration of a
sparingly soluble compound is Co at a certain cross-section (x = 0) of the PFR. The
compound undergoes degradation with a first order reaction rate constant of k and is also
being stripped to the atmosphere, with a mass transfer coefficient of kL. Derive the
expression for the concentration of the contaminant in the river as a function of distance
from x = 0.
Solution:
dC W
Governing equation: U. = J. − k.C ;
dx A
J = flux of stripping from water to air = kgl.(Cs – C)
The contaminant is sparingly soluble and its partial pressure is zero; therefore, kgl = kl;
and Cs = 0; Therefore, J = −k L .C

dC W  W 
U. = k L . .C − k.C = − k L . + k .C
dx A  A 

 W 
kL. + k
   x
c x
dC  A dx ; W
∫c C = − ∫0 U
C( x ) = C 0 . exp −  k L . + k  
  A  U
0