ESE5002 Physical and Process Principles

(AY2019/2020 S2)

Home Assignment 1:

Equalization is a very important process in many treatment systems to equalize or stabilize the
inlet flow rate or inlet flow quality for the following treatment units. In a water treatment plant, an
equalization tank of 1000 m3 is well mixed and it is initially fully filled with a wastewater
contained a non-volatile and inert pollutant “A” at a concentration of 100 mg.L-1. Two other
wastewater streams, containing “A” with Q1=25m3.h-1, c1=200 mg.L-1 and Q2=15m3.h-1, c2=80
mg.L-1, are to be introduced into the equalization tank, and simultaneously an outlet flow from the
equalization tank with Q3=80m3.h-1 will be taken and fed to the following treatment process.

a) Draw a schematic diagram to show this equalization process;

b) Derive the mass balance equation for the mass change of “A” in the equalization tank;
c) Taking the time when Q1 and Q2 are introduced into the equalization tank and Q3 is taken
out from the equalization tank as t=0, show how the concentration of “A” in the outlet
flow Q3 will change with the time t;
d) Calculate the concentration of “A” in the outlet flow at t=24 h;
e) Determine how much amount of “A” will be fed to the following treatment process
within the period of 0-24 h.   
 

Note:  

Solution (softcopy in pdf) is to be submitted (uploaded) onto LumiNUS by 1 March 2020 at the latest. (No 
hardcopy is to be submitted). Remember to include your name and matriculation number on your answer 
sheets / files).