Abstract:

Inlet flow distribution devices play an important role in providing uniform flow distribution in water treatment process units such as sedimentation tanks. Orifices and weirs are commonly provided along the inlet flow channels that are built across the width of sedimentation tanks. This paper presents a numerical method and computer program for computation of the inlet flow distribution over weirs and orifices. The method is based on solving a differential equation of the flow profile along the flow distribution channel using numerical technique, namely, the Runge-Kutta method. The method replaces the trial and error step employed in earlier methods in the determination of weir discharge depths. Application examples are provided in which more uniform flow distribution were achieved by employing wider channel and full tapering of the inlet flow channel geometry or through partial tapering of the ends of the channel. The method can be extended for computation of inlet flow distribution in other similar water and wastewater treatment process units that employ weirs and orifices.

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