Optimization of settling tank design to remove particles and metals

Yingxia Li, Joo Hyon Kang, Sim Lin Lau, Masoud Kayhanian, Michael K. Stenstrom

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mass reduction rates of particles and metals were simulated for a two-compartment settling tank composed of a storage compartment and a continuous flow compartment. Particle-size distribution, rainfall, and flow data from 16 storm events measured at three highway sites were used. The volume ratio (i.e., ratio of surface areas for a given depth) between storage and continuous flow compartment was optimized for a given design storm size to maximize total mass reduction rates of particles and heavy metals. Measured settling velocity profiles of runoff samples were used in the simulation. Simulation results showed that in a given total design storm, larger storage compartment fractions (>0.95) enhanced the removal of smaller particles (2-104 μm) and particulate phase metals, and even a small fraction (<0.05) of continuous flow compartment effectively removed larger particles (104-1,000 μm). A volume fraction of 0.75 for the storage compartment is suggested to optimize annual reductions of particles and associated heavy metals.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)885-894
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Environmental Engineering (United States)
Volume134
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008

Keywords

  • Best Management Practice
  • Heavy metals
  • Highways and roads
  • Optimization
  • Particle size distribution
  • Pollution
  • Runoff
  • Settling velocity
  • Stormwater management

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