Clarifier Surface Area for a Target SOR
The inverse of the clarifier-loading tile: the clarifier surface area a target surface overflow rate needs at the design flow, area = flow x 1e6 / SOR, plus the equivalent circular clarifier diameter. 1 MGD at 800 gpd/ft^2 needs 1,250 ft^2 (about a 40 ft diameter). Answers 'how big a clarifier' instead of the rate from one area; size below the limit for peak flow. A separate weir and solids check governs alongside. Ten States Standards; the state primacy agency governs.
Formula and source
required_area = flow x 1e6 / target_SOR (ft^2), the inverse of SOR = flow x 1e6 / area; equivalent circular diameter = sqrt(4 x area / pi).
Clarifier surface loading rate, standard wastewater-operations practice (Ten States Standards / Metcalf & Eddy), by name, solved for the area.
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