1. What is Volume of Reactor given WAS Pumping Rate?

Definition: This calculator determines the required volume of a reactor based on mean cell residence time and waste activated sludge (WAS) pumping rate.

Purpose: It helps wastewater treatment engineers design and optimize activated sludge systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( V \) — Reactor Volume (cubic meters)
• \( θ_c \) — Mean Cell Residence Time (seconds)
• \( Q_w \) — WAS Pumping Rate from Reactor (m³/s)

Explanation: The reactor volume is calculated by multiplying the mean cell residence time by the waste activated sludge pumping rate.

3. Importance of Reactor Volume Calculation

Details: Proper reactor volume ensures adequate treatment capacity, proper sludge age maintenance, and efficient biological treatment processes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the mean cell residence time in seconds and WAS pumping rate in cubic meters per second. All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is Mean Cell Residence Time?
A: It's the average time that microorganisms (activated sludge) remain in the treatment system.

Q2: What's a typical WAS pumping rate?
A: This varies by plant size but typically ranges from 0.001 to 0.01 m³/s for medium-sized plants.

Q3: How does reactor volume affect treatment?
A: Larger volumes allow longer contact time for biological treatment but require more space and energy.

Q4: What units should I use?
A: Use seconds for residence time and cubic meters per second for WAS rate to get volume in m³.

Q5: Does this include safety factors?
A: No, engineers typically add 10-20% to the calculated volume for operational flexibility.