Flow Equalization

Jae K. (Jim) Park

Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Flow Equalization
To overcome operational problems caused by flowrate
variations
To improve the performance of the downstream
processes
To reduce the size and cost of downstream treatment
facilities
Principal Applications
Dry-weather flows
Wet-weather flows from separate sanitary sewers
Combined stormwater and sanitary wastewater flows

http://10statesstandards.com/wastewaterstandards.html

Principal Benefits

Enhanced biological treatment because of reduced shock

loadings, dilution of inhibiting substances, and stable pH
Improved effluent quality and thickening performance of
secondary sedimentation tanks due to constant solids
loading
Reduced effluent-filtration surface-area requirements,
improved filter performance, and uniform filter-backwash
cycle
Improved chemical feed control and process reliability by
damping mass loading
Attractive option for upgrading the performance of
overloaded treatment plants
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Theoretical Analysis

Location of equalization facilities

Type of equalization flow sheet
Required basin volume

In-line equalization
Grit
removal

Primary
Secondary
Equalization
treatment
treatment
basin
Controlled-flow
pumping station Flow meter and
control devices

Final
effluent

Off-line equalization

Primary
treatment

Grit
removal

Secondary
treatment

Final
effluent

Equalization
basin
Controlled-flow
pumping station
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Volume Requirement
Cumulative inflow volume, ft3

Flowrate Pattern A

Flowrate Pattern B
Inflow mass
diagram

Inflow mass
diagram
Average daily
flowrate

Average daily
flowrate

Required
equalization
volume

M
Time of day

Required
equalization
volume

Design volume = 1.1~1.2 Theoretical volume

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Basin Construction

Construction materials: earthen, concrete, or steel

Basin geometry: a complete-mix reactor

Operational appurtenances: facilities for flushing any
solids and grease, emergency overflow in case of pump
failure, a high water takeoff for the removal of floating
materials and foam, and water sprayer

Operation

Mixing: aeration or mechanical equipment along with corner

fillets and hopper bottoms
Aeration: DO - min. 1 mg/L; air supply rate - min. 1.25
cfm/1000 gal of storage capacity (0.16 L/m 3sec); air supply
isolated from other treatment plant aeration requirements
Controls: Inlets and outlets suitably equipped with
accessible external valves, stop plates, weirs, or other
devices to permit flow control and the removal of an
individual unit from service; devices for liquid level and
flow rate measurements
Electrical: National Electrical Code for Class I, Division 1,
Group D locations
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Snapfinger Plant (GA) Equalization Tank

Capacity: 20 million gallons
Cost: $6.9 million

Equalization Tank

Mixing

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Mixing and Air Requirement

To minimize mixing requirement, install grit chamber
ahead of equalization basins where possible.
Mixing requirements for medium-strength municipal
wastewater with SS of 220 mg/L: 0.02~0.04 hp/10 3
gal of storage (0.004~0.0088 kW/m3)
Air supply: 1.25~2 ft 3/103 galmin (0.01~0.015
m3/m3min)
If equalization tanks are located after primary
sedimentation tanks, aeration may not be required.
For mixing and aeration, use mechanical aerators.
Min. operating levels for floating aerators: > 5 ft.
Pumping facilities are required.
Provide a flow-measuring device on the outlet

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Deep Tunnel
Milwaukee, WI

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