Wastewater Treatment

Mathematical
Formulas
First Edition

Fleming Training Center

Murfreesboro, TN

ii
Wastewater Treatment Formulas

Index

Activated Sludge .................................................................... 11, 12

Area ....................................................................................... 2
Conversion Factors ................................................................ 1
Depth/Diameter Table ............................................................ 7
Dosage, chlorine .................................................................... 9
Dosage, general..................................................................... 4
Flow ....................................................................................... 2
Flow Conversions Chart ......................................................... 3
Flow, Partially Full Pipe .......................................................... 7
Laboratory .............................................................................. 15, 16
Metric Conversion .................................................................. 6
Pounds Formulas ................................................................... 4
Power ..................................................................................... 4
Preliminary Treatment ............................................................ 6
Pumps .................................................................................... 5, 6
Sedimentation ........................................................................ 8
Sludge, Dewatering and Disposal .......................................... 13
Sludge, Digestion ................................................................... 14
Sludge, Production and Thickening........................................ 13
Temperature........................................................................... 2
Trickling Filters ....................................................................... 9
Volume ................................................................................... 2
Waste Treatment Ponds......................................................... 10

iii
Wastewater Treatment Formulas

iv
Wastewater Treatment Formulas

Conversion Factors
1 acre

43,560 ft2

1 foot of head

0.433 psi

1 psi

2.31 feet of head

1 yd3

27 ft3

1 gal

3.785 Liters

1 gallon of water

8.34 lbs

1 cubic foot of water

7.48 gallons

1 lb

453.6 grams

1 mile

5280 feet

1%

10,000 mg/L

Converting mg/mL to lb/gal

mg

1000

gram

453.6

mL

1000

Liter

3.785

lbs

gal

To use this diagram: First, find the box that coincides with the beginning units (i.e. mg/mL). Then, find the
box that coincides with the desired ending units (i.e. lbs/gal). The numbers between the starting point and
ending point are the conversion factors. When moving from a smaller box to a larger box, multiply by the
factor between them. When moving from a larger box to a smaller box, divide by the factor between them.
For final number, divide top number by bottom number.
1
Wastewater Treatment Formulas

Area
Rectangle:

Area, ft2

(length, ft)(width, ft)

Circle:

Area, ft2

(0.785)(Diameter, ft)2

Triangle:

Area, ft2

(0.5)(base, ft)(height, ft)

Volume
Rectangle:

Volume, ft3

(length, ft)(width, ft)(depth, ft)

Cylinder:

Volume, ft3

(0.785)(Diameter, ft)2(depth or length, ft)

Cone:

Volume, ft3

(0.785)(Diameter, ft)2(height, ft)

3

(volume, ft3)(7.48 gal/cu.ft.)

Volume, gallons

Temperature
C
F

=
=

/9(F 32)
/5 (C) + 32

Flow
Q

AV

(Area)(Velocity)

Q (channel), cfs

(width, ft)(depth, ft)(Velocity, fps)

Q (pipeline), cfs

(0.785)(Diameter, ft)2(Velocity, fps)

Velocity, fps

Distance, ft
Time, sec

sum of daily flows, MGD

Number of daily flows

Average Flow, MGD

2
Wastewater Treatment Formulas

Flow Conversions
cfs

cfm

60

7.48

cfd

1440

7.48

MGD

7.48

1,000,000

gps

gpm

60

8.34

lb

cfs
cfm
cfd

8.34

lb

/sec

=
=
=

1440

60

cubic feet per second

cubic feet per minute
cubic feet per day

gpd

8.34

/min

1440

gps
gpm
gpd

=
=
=

lb

/day

gallons per second

gallons per minute
gallons per day

To use this diagram: First, find the box that coincides with the beginning units (i.e. gpm). Then, find the box that
coincides with the desired ending units (i.e. cfs). The numbers between the starting point and ending point are
the conversion factors. When moving from a smaller box to a larger box, multiply by the factor between them.
When moving from a larger box to a smaller box, divide by the factor between them

3
Wastewater Treatment Formulas

Dosage
Dosage, mg/L

Dosage, mg/L

(grams/min)(1,000 mg/gram)
(flow, gpm)(3.785 L/gal)
chemical feed, lbs/day
(flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal)

Pounds
Chemical Feed, lbs

(dose, mg/L)(volume, MG)(8.34 lbs/gal)

Chemical Feed, lbs

(dose, mg/L)(volume, MG)(8.34 lbs/gal)

% chemical purity, expressed as decimal

Feed Rate, lbs/day

(dose, mg/L)(flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal)

Feed Rate, lbs/day

(dose, mg/L)(flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal)

% chemical purity, expressed as decimal

Feed Rate, lbs/day

(conc., mg/L)(vol. pumped, mL)(1440 min/day)

(time pumped, min)(1000 mL/L)(1000 mg/gram)(453.6 gram/lb)

Power
1 Horsepower

746 watts or 0.746 kilowatts

Power, watts

(volts)(amps)

Amps, single-phase

(746)(horsepower)
(volts)(% efficiency, as decimal)(power factor)

Amps, three-phase

(746)(horsepower)
(1.732)(volts)(% efficiency, as decimal)(power factor)

Horsepower

(volts)(amps)
746

Kilowatts, single-phase

(volts)(amps)(power factor)
1000

Kilowatts, three-phase

(volts)(amps)(power factor)(1.732)
1000

Power Factor

watts
(volts)(amps)
4
Wastewater Treatment Formulas

Pumps
MHP

Motor

Pump

BHP

% motor eff

WHP

% pump eff

Pumping Rate, gpm

volume, gal
time, min

Pumping Rate, gpm

(length, ft)(width, ft)(depth, ft)(7.48 gal/cu.ft.)

time, min

Pumping Rate, gpm

(0.785)(Diameter, ft)2(depth, ft)(7.48 gal/cu.ft.)

time, min

Time to fill, min

tank volume, gal

flow rate, gpm

Water hp

(flow, gpm)(head, ft)

3960

Brake hp

(flow, gpm)(head, ft)

(3960)(%pump efficiency, as decimal)

Motor hp

=
(flow, gpm)(head, ft)
(3960)(%pump efficiency, as decimal)(%motor efficiency, as decimal)

Brake hp

water hp
%pump efficiency, as decimal

Motor hp

brake hp
%motor efficiency, as decimal

% Motor Efficiency

brake hp
motor hp

% Pump Efficiency

water hp
brake hp

% Efficiency

hp output
hp supplied

% Efficiency, overall

water hp
motor hp

Wire-to-water Efficiency, %

x 100
x 100
x 100
x 100

(% pump eff., as decimal)(% motor eff., as decimal)(100%)

5
Wastewater Treatment Formulas

Pumps (continued)
Static Head, ft

suction lift, ft + discharge head, ft

Static Head, ft

discharge head, ft suction head, ft

Friction Loss, ft

(0.1)(static head, ft) **use this formula in absence of other data**

Total Dynamic Head, ft

static head, ft + friction losses, ft

Cost, $/hr

(motor hp)(0.746 kW/hp)(cost, $/kW-hr)

Metric Conversions
Primary Unit

mega . .
(M)
1,000,000

kilo
(k)
1,000

hecto
(h)

deka
(da)

no
prefix

100

10

deci
(d)
1

/10

centi
(c)

milli
(m)

/100

meter linear measurement

liter volume measurement
gram weight measurement

Preliminary Treatment
Screenings removed, cu.ft./day

Screenings, cu.ft.
Day

Screenings removed, cu.ft./MG

Screenings, cu.ft
Flow, MG

Screening Pit capacity, days

Screening Pit volume, cu.ft.

Screenings removed, cu.ft./day

Grit removal, cu.ft./MG

Grit volume, cu.ft

Flow, MG

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Wastewater Treatment Formulas

/1,000

..

micro
()
1

/1,000,000

Flow, Partially Full Pipe

Diam., ft

Qcfs

Velocity, ft/time

d{

V.fps

|
Qcfs

| |
d

(factor from /D table)(D, ft)

|
(fps)

depth/Diameter Table (d/D)

0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05

0.0013
0.0037
0.0069
0.0105
0.0147

0.26
0.27
0.28
0.29
0.30

0.1623
0.1711
0.1800
0.1890
0.1982

0.51
0.52
0.53
0.54
0.55

0.4027
0.4127
0.4227
0.4327
0.4426

0.76
0.77
0.78
0.79
0.80

0.6404
0.6489
0.6573
0.6655
0.6736

0.06
0.07
0.08
0.09
0.10

0.0192
0.0242
0.0294
0.0350
0.0409

0.31
0.32
0.33
0.34
0.35

0.2074
0.2167
0.2260
0.2355
0.2450

0.56
0.57
0.58
0.59
0.60

0.4526
0.4625
0.4724
0.4822
0.4920

0.81
0.82
0.83
0.84
0.85

0.6813
0.6893
0.6969
0.7043
0.7115

0.11
0.12
0.13
0.14
0.15

0.0470
0.0534
0.0600
0.0668
0.0739

0.36
0.37
0.38
0.39
0.40

0.2546
0.2642
0.2739
0.2836
0.2934

0.61
0.62
0.63
0.64
0.65

0.5018
0.5118
0.5212
0.5308
0.5404

0.86
0.87
0.88
0.89
0.90

0.7186
0.7254
0.7320
0.7384
0.7445

0.16
0.17
0.18
0.19
0.20

0.0811
0.0885
0.0961
0.1039
0.1118

0.41
0.42
0.43
0.44
0.45

0.3032
0.3130
0.3229
0.3328
0.3428

0.66
0.67
0.68
0.69
0.70

0.5499
0.5594
0.5687
0.5780
0.5872

0.91
0.92
0.93
0.94
0.95

0.7504
0.7560
0.7612
0.7662
0.7707

0.21
0.22
0.23
0.24
0.25

0.1199
0.1281
0.1365
0.1449
0.1535

0.46
0.47
0.48
0.49
0.50

0.3527
0.3627
0.3727
0.3827
0.3927

0.71
0.72
0.73
0.74
0.75

0.5964
0.6054
0.6143
0.6231
0.6318

0.96
0.97
0.98
0.99
1.00

0.7749
0.7785
0.7816
0.7841
0.7854

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Wastewater Treatment Formulas

Sedimentation

Detention time, hrs

(Volume of Tank, gal)(24 hr/day)

Flow, gpd

Weir Overflow Rate (WOR)

gpd
/foot (simple eq,)

Flow, gpd_____
Total Weir Length, ft

Weir Overflow Rate (WOR)

gpd
/foot (rectangular)

Flow, gpd________
(2)(length, ft) + (2)(width, ft)

Weir Overflow Rate (WOR)

gpd
/foot (circular)

Flow, gpd____
(3.14)(Diameter, ft)

Surface Overflow Rate (SOR)

gpd
/sq.ft.

Flow, gpd
Area, sq.ft.

Solids Loading Rate (SLR)

lbs/day
/sq.ft.

Solids Applied, lbs/day

Surface Area, sq.ft.

Solids Loading Rate (SLR)

lbs/day
/sq.ft.

(MLSS, mg/L)(P.E. + RAS flow, MG)(8.34 lbs/gal)

(0.785)(Diameter, ft)2

BOD and Suspended Solids Removal

First, calculate BOD or SS removed, mg/L:

Removed, mg/L = Influent, mg/L Effluent, mg/L

Then, calculate lbs/day BOD or SS removed:

lbs

Efficiency, %

in out
in

/day = (Removed, mg/L)(Flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal)

x 100%

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Wastewater Treatment Formulas

Chemical Dosage
Chlorine Dose, mg/L

chlorine demand, mg/L + chlorine residual, mg/L

HTH, lbs

(% conc. hypo, as decimal)(hypochlorite, gal)(8.34 lbs/gal)

% available HTH, as decimal

HTH, lbs/day

(dose, mg/L)(Flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal)

% available HTH, as decimal

Bleach, gal/day

(dose, mg/L)(flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal)_

(% available, as decimal)(8.34 lbs/gal)

(c1)(v1)

where:

(c2)(v2)
c = concentration
v = volume

Trickling Filters
Hydraulic Loading Rate, gpd/sq.ft.

Total Flow, gpd

Area, sq.ft.

Hydraulic Loading Rate, gpd/sq.ft.

Primary Effluent Flow, gpd + Recirculated Flow, gpd

Area, sq.ft.

Organic Loading Rate

lbs/day
/1000 cu.ft.

(BOD, mg/L)(Flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal)

1000 cu.ft.

Organic Loading Rate

lbs/day
/1000 cu.ft.

(BOD, mg/L)(Flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal)__

(0.785)(Diameter, ft)2(depth, ft)
1000

BOD and Suspended Solids Removal

First, calculate BOD or SS removed, mg/L:

Removed, mg/L = Influent, mg/L Effluent, mg/L

Then, calculate lbs/day BOD or SS removed:

lbs

/day = (Removed, mg/L)(Flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal)

Efficiency, %

in out
in

x 100%

Recirculation ratio

Recirculated Flow, MGD_

Primary Effluent Flow, MGD

9
Wastewater Treatment Formulas

Waste Treatment Ponds

Pond Area, acres

(Length, ft)(Width, ft)

43,560 sq.ft./acre

Volume, acre-feet

(Pond Area, acres)(Depth, ft)

Volume, acre-feet

(Length, ft)(Width, ft)(Depth, ft)

43,560 sq.ft./acre

Flow, acre-feet/day

Flow, gpd______
(7.48 gal/cu.ft.)(43,560 sq.ft./acre)

Detention Time, days

Volume, gal
Flow, gpd

Volume, acre-ft
Flow, acre-ft/day

BOD Loading, lbs/day

(BOD, mg/L)(Flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal)

Organic Loading Rate

lbs/day
/acre

Influent BOD, lbs/day_

Pond Area, acres

Organic Loading Rate

lbs/day
/acre

(BOD, mg/L)(Flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal)

Pond Area, acres

BOD Removal Efficiency, %

BOD Removed, mg/L

BOD Total, mg/L

for gallons

Detention Time, days

for acre-feet

Hydraulic Loading Rate, inches/day =

for gpd flow

Flow, gpd_______
(7.48 gal/cu.ft.)(43,560 sq.ft./acre)_
Pond Area, acres

Hydraulic Loading Rate, inches/day =

acre-ft
for
/day flow

Flow, acre-ft/day__
Pond Area, acres

Population Loading

persons
Acre

x 100%

10
Wastewater Treatment Formulas

x 12 inches/foot

x 12 inches/foot

Activated Sludge
BOD Loading, lbs/day

(BOD, mg/L)(Flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal)

COD Loading, lbs/day

(COD, mg/L)(Flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal)

MLSS, lbs

(MLSS, mg/L)(Aerator volume, MG)(8.34 lbs/gal)

MLVSS, lbs

(MLSS, mg/L)(Aerator Volume, MG)(8.34 lbs/gal)(% Volatile Solids, as decimal)

F/M

BOD or COD, lbs/day_

MLVSS, lbs

F/M

BOD or COD, lbs/day___________

(MLSS, lbs)(% Volatile Solids, as decimal)

F/M

(BOD or COD, mg/L)(Flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal)__

(MLVSS, mg/L)(Aerator Volume, MG)(8.34 lbs/gal)

F/M

F/M Ratio:

(MLSS,

mg

(BOD or COD, mg/L)(Flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal)_____________

/L)(% Vol. Solids, as decimal)(Aerator Volume, MG)(8.34 lbs/gal)

Desired MLVSS, lbs

BOD or COD, lbs_

Desired F/M ratio

Desired MLSS, lbs

Desired MLVSS, lbs__

% Vol. Solids, as decimal

Sludge Age (Gould):

Sludge Age, days

Desired MLSS, lbs

(MLSS, mg/L)(Aerator Volume, MG)(8.34 lbs/gal)_ = Actual MLSS, lbs

lbs
(Primary Effluent SS, mg/L)(Flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal)
P.E. SS, /day
(Primary Effluent SS, lbs/day)(Desired Sludge Age, days)

Suspended Solids Wasting Rate:

SS, lbs to waste

actual MLSS, lbs desired MLSS, lbs

SS, gal. to waste

SS, lbs. to waste_

(RAS, mg/L)(8.34 lbs/gal)

x 1,000,000

Minutes to waste sludge

SS, gal. to waste

Pump capacity, gpm

Minutes per hour

to waste sludge

Minutes per day to waste sludge

24 hrs/day

*Note the sludge wasting rate may also be determined using one of the MCRT expanded formulas on the
next page. (i.e. WAS Flow)

11
Wastewater Treatment Formulas

Activated Sludge (continued)

Mean Cell Residence Time (MCRT) Formulas:

also called Solids Retention Time (SRT)

MCRT, days

Suspended Solids in System, lbs

Sus. Solids Leaving System, lbs/day

MCRT, days

Suspended Solids in System, lbs______

(WAS SS, lbs/day + Secondary Effluent SS, lbs/day)

MCRT, days

=
(WAS SS,

no clarifier info

MCRT, days

given final clarifier

volume, but no CCSS

MCRT, days

(MLSS, mg/L)(Aerator Vol. MG)(8.34 lbs/gal)_______________________

/L)(WAS Flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal) + (S.E. SS, mg/L)(Plant Flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal)

mg

(MLSS, mg/L)(Aerator Vol. MG + Final Clar. Vol., MG) (8.34 lbs/gal)___________

(WAS SS, /L)(WAS Flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal) + (S.E. SS, mg/L)(Plant Flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal)
mg

= (MLSS, mg/L)(Aerator Vol. MG)(8.34 lbs/gal) + (CCSS, mg/L)(Final Clar. Vol., MG) (8.34 lbs/gal)

given CCSS and final

clarifier volume

(WAS SS, mg/L)(WAS Flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal) + (S.E. SS, mg/L)(Plant Flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal)

Gallons per day to

Waste (MCRT)

Step 1:
Step 2:

Find the pounds to waste using the simplified formula.

Use the pounds formula (mg/L to lbs) to find the MGD
flow and change this to gpd to waste.

Return Activated Sludge Formulas:

Return Sludge Flow, %

settled sludge volume, mL_____

1,000 mL settled sludge volume, mL

RAS Flow, %

RAS Flow, MGD_ x 100%

Influent flow, MGD

Return Sludge Flow, gpd

(% Return Sludge Flow, as decimal)(Flow, gpd)

Return Sludge Flow, gpd

(Aerator Influent Flow, gpd)(MLSS, mg/L)___

Return Sludge Concentration, mg/L MLSS, mg/L

Return Sludge Concentration, mg/L

1,000,000
SVI

x 100%

(SVI calculations are in Laboratory section)

12
Wastewater Treatment Formulas

Sludge Production and Thickening

% Solids

Solids, lbs/day
Sludge, lbs/day

Sludge, lbs/day

Solids, lbs/day___
% Solids, as decimal

x 100%

Hydraulic Loading Rate

gpd
/sq.ft.

Total Flow, gpd

Area, sq.ft.

Solids Loading Rate

lbs/day
/sq.ft.

Solids, lbs/day
Area, sq.ft.

Solids Loading Rate

lbs/day
/sq.ft.

(Sludge, gpd)(8.34 lbs/gal)(% Solids, as decimal)

Area, sq.ft.

Sludge Detention Time, days

Sludge Blanket Volume, gal.___

Sludge Pumped from Thickener, gpd

Sludge Detention Time, days

(0.785)(Diameter, ft)2(Blanket Depth, ft)(7.48 gal/cu.ft.)

Sludge Pumped from Thickener, gpd

Sludge Dewatering and Disposal

Filter Press Dewatering (Plate-and-Frame)
Solids Loading Rate
lbs/hr
/sq.ft.

Solids, lbs/hr__
Plate Area, sq.ft.

Solids Loading Rate

lbs/hr
/sq.ft.

(Sludge, gph)(8.34 lbs/gal)(% Solids, as decimal)

Plate Area, sq. ft.

Belt Filter Press Dewatering

Hydraulic Loading Rate
gpm
/ft

Flow, gpm_
Belt Width, ft

Sludge Feed Rate

lbs
/hr

Sludge to be Dewatered, lbs/day

Operating Time, hrs/day

Solids to Filter, lbs/hr

Surface Area, sq.ft.

Solids to Filter, lbs/day_

Filter Operation, hrs/day__
(3.14)(Diameter, ft)(width, ft)

Vacuum Filter Dewatering

Filter Loading
lbs/hr
/sq.ft.
Filter Loading
Sand Drying Beds
Total Sludge Applied, gal

(length, ft)(width, ft)(depth, ft)(7.48 gal/cu.ft.)

13
Wastewater Treatment Formulas

Sludge Digestion
Solids Added, lbs

(Flow, gpd)(8.34 lbs/gal)(% Total Solids, as decimal)

% Volatile Solids

Vol. Solids, lbs/day_

Total Solids, lbs/day

Vol. Solids, lbs/day

(Total Solids, lbs/day)(% Vol. Solids, as decimal)

Vol. Solids, lbs/day

(Sludge, lbs/day)(% Solids, as decimal)(%Vol. Solids, as decimal)

% Seed Sludge

Seed Sludge, gal_____

Total Digester Capacity, gal

Digester Loading
lbs/day
/cu.ft.

(Sludge, lbs/day)(% Solids, as decimal)(% Vol. Solids, as decimal)

(0.785)(Diameter, ft)2(Water Depth, ft)

Volatile Acids/Alkalinity Ratio

x 100%

x 100%

Volatile Acids, mg/L

Alkalinity, mg/L

Volatile Acids, lbs

=
(Volatile Acids, mg/L)(Digester Volume, MG)(8.34 lbs/gal)
*Note lbs Vol. Acids = lbs Lime required
% Vol. Solids Reduction

Vol. Solids Reduced, lbs__ x 100%

Total Vol. Solids Entering, lbs

% Vol. Solids Reduction =

(%VS In - %VS Out)_______________

%VS In (%VS In, as decimal)(%VS Out, as decimal)

% Vol. Solids Reduction =

In Out__ x 100%
In (In)(Out)

Volatile Solids Destroyed

lbs VS/day
/cu.ft.

x 100%

VS Destroyed, lbs/day
Digester Volume, cu.ft.

Volatile Solids Destroyed = (Sludge, gpd)(8.34 lbs/gal)(% Sol, as dec.)(% VS, as dec.)(%VS Red, as dec.)
lbs VS/day
/cu.ft.
(0.785)(Diameter, ft)2(depth, ft.)
Gas Produced
cu.ft.
/lb VS Destroyed

Gas Produced, cu.ft.

VS Destroyed, lbs

Digester Gas Production

cu.ft.
/lb VS Destroyed

Gas Produced, cu.ft./day________________

(Vol. Sol. To Digester, lbs/day)(% VS Reduction, as decimal)

Digestion Time, days

Digester Volume, gal

Sludge Flow Rate, gpd

Digestion Time, days

(0.785)(Diameter, ft)2(depth, ft)(7.48 gal/cu.ft.)

Sludge Flow Rate, gpd

Lime or Caustic, lbs

(Lime or Caustic, mg/L)(Digester Vol., MG)(8.34 lbs/gal)

14
Wastewater Treatment Formulas

Laboratory
(N1)(V1)

(N2)(V2)

where N1

normality of solution 1

N2

normality of solution 2

V1

volume of solution 1

V2

volume of solution 2

% Efficiency =

in out
in

x 100%

Alkalinity
Total Alkalinity,
mg/L as CaCO3

(B) (N) (50,000)

mL of sample

where B

total mL of titrant used

acid normality

Geometric Mean

(X1)(X2)(X3)(Xn)1/n

Geometric Mean

Bacteriological

(X1)(X2)(X3)(Xn)

Bacteria Colonies/100 mL =

(number of colonies counted)(100)

sample volume filtered, mL

BOD
BOD5, mg/L

Seeded BOD5, mg/L =

D1 D2
P
(D1 D2) (B1 B2)f
P

where D1

mg

/L initial DO in sample

D2

mg

/L final DO in sample

B1

mg

/L initial DO in seed control

B2

mg

/L final DO in seed control

% sample concentration, expressed as decimal

% seed in sample
% seed in seed control

15
Wastewater Treatment Formulas

Laboratory (continued)
COD
COD, mg/L

(A B)(N)(8,000)
mL of sample

where A

mL of FAS used for blank

mL of FAS used for sample

normality of FAS

8,000 =

equivalent weight of oxygen times 1,000 to convert to mg/L

Solids
Suspended Solids, =
mg
/L

(A B)(1,000,000)
sample, mL

where A

final weight of pan, filter, and residue in grams

weight of prepared filter and pan, in grams

converts gram/mL to mg/L

1,000,000

Oxygen Uptake Rate

Respiration Rate,
mg/g
/hr

oxygen uptake rate, mg/L/hr

MLSS, gram/L

Oxygen Uptake Rate, =

mg/L
/hr

starting DO, mg/L ending DO, mg/L

elapsed time, min

Load Index

fed oxygen uptake rate, mg/L/hr

unfed oxygen uptake rate, mg/L/hr

x 100%

Activated Sludge
Sludge Volume Index (SVI)
mL
/g

wet settled sludge, mL

dried sludge solids, mg

SVI,

mL

/g

(settleable solids, %)(10,000)

MLSS, mg/L

SVI,

mL

/g

(settled sludge volume, mL/L)(1,000)

MLSS, mg/L

Sludge Density Index (SDI)

100
SVI

16
Wastewater Treatment Formulas

x 100%