Evaluation of Hydraulic Efficiency of Sedimentation Basins

Abstract

Detention time distribution curves of a pilot sedimentation basin were analyzed by the conventional method using central tendency values of the flow curve and by a new method in which an F(t) function is used. A straight line resulted when experimental values of log [1-F (t)] versus t/T were plotted. Good correlation was obtained between results by both methods. The new method enables a quantitative analysis of the flow regime. It was shown that the flow in a sedimentation basin, with inlet baffle, consists of approximately 60% mixing, the remainder being plug flow.