Clarifier Surface, Weir, and Solids Loading
Whether a clarifier is inside its surface, weir, and solids loading limits.
Example
You enter
- Flow (MGD) 1
- Surface area (ft²) 1256.6
- Total weir length (ft) 125.7
- MLSS (mg/L, secondary only) 2500
You get
- Surface overflow rate 796
- Weir overflow rate 7958 gpd/ft
- Solids loading 16.6
Details, formula, and sources
Surface overflow rate = flow/area (gpd/ft^2), weir overflow = flow/weir (gpd/ft), solids loading = flow x MLSS x 8.34 / area. 1 MGD, 40 ft dia (1257 ft^2), MLSS 2500 -> SOR 796, weir 7,958, solids 16.6; double the flow and SOR passes the ~1000 limit (floc carryover). The state design criteria govern.
SOR = flow x 1e6 / area (gpd/ft^2); weir = flow x 1e6 / weir_len (gpd/ft); solids = flow x MLSS x 8.34 / area (lb/ft^2/day).
Clarifier surface, weir, and solids loading rates, standard wastewater-operations practice (Ten States Standards / Metcalf & Eddy), by name.
The overflow-rate and solids-loading relations are standard published wastewater results; the state design criteria govern the limits.
Estimate. Operator of record and primacy agency govern.
Field names used by the API: flow_mgd, surface_ft2, weir_len_ft, mlss_mgl, sor_gpd_ft2, weir_gpd_ft, solids_lb_ft2_day
- Surface overflow rate SOR = flow / surface area (gpd/ft^2)wastewater operations
- Weir and solids loading weir = flow / weir length; solids = flow x MLSS x 8.34 / areaTen States Standards
- Design limits state design criteria govern the actual ceilingsscope of this tile