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TECHNOLOGY FACT SHEETS

FOR EFFLUENT TREATMENT PLANTS
ON TEXTILE INDUSTRY

EQUALIZATION TANK /
HOMOGENIZATION TANK
SERIES: PRETREATMENTS

TITLE

EQUALIZATION TANK / HOMOGENIZATION TANK

(FS-PRET-002)

Last update
Last review

May 2015

EQUALIZATION / HOMOGENIZATION

FS-PRET-002

EQUALIZATION TANK / HOMOGENIZATION TANK

(FS-PRET-002)
Date

May 2015

Authors

Joaqun Surez Lpez

Alfredo Jcome Burgos
Pablo Ures Rodrguez

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INDEX
1.- INTRODUCTION
2.- FLOW CONTROL STRATEGIES
3.- POLLUTANTS CONCENTRATION HOMOGENIZATION STRATEGIES
4.- SPECIFIC TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS
5.- SPECIFICATIONS IN THE TREATMENT OF WASTEWATER OF TEXTILE INDUSTRY
6.- PARAMETERS AND CONTROL STRATEGIES
7.- OPERATING PROBLEMS
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES
ANNEX 1.- GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF PROCESS UNITS

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1.- INTRODUCTION
A large number of industries have wastewater with very important flow and/or composition variations throughout
the day, due to batch processes, operation hours, type of production, etc. These variations may produce
malfunction of process steps or, in the design of the treatment plant, they may lead to oversizing.
In the case of a system with continuous treatment, if the variation of inlet flowrates is very pronounced, any
subsequent transfer process is difficult whether it is biological, physical or chemical. Something similar happens
with the pollutant load.
In order to avoid these difficulties, chambers (tanks, basins or ponds) which can act as water lungs are designed.
Wastewater flows can be accumulated in these chambers, and then may be dosed (usually by pumping) to the rest
of the system with a relatively constant flow rate, thereby avoiding the peaks of flow and load.
The equalization tank can achieve two objectives: flow control (equalization) and/or homogenization of
contaminated flows
The main advantages of having an equalization tank are:

It improves overall processes yields, working with more homogeneous flows and loads.
Biological treatment is enhanced, because shock loadings are eliminated or can be minimized, inhibiting
substances can be diluted, and pH can be stabilized.
It is possible to keep a constant water supply even during phases of process production stop in the
industry, ensuring treatment stability.
The effluent quality and thickening performance of secondary sedimentation tanks following biological
treatment is improved through improved consistency in solids loading;
Effluent filtration surface area requirements are reduced, filter performance is improved, and more
uniform filter-backwash cycles are possible by lower hydraulic loading.
In chemical treatment, damping of mass loading improves chemical feed control and process reliability.
It minimizes neutralizing agents for reactives dosing in pH control.
Installation control is facilitated
It helps operation and maintenance activities scheduling.
The life of the facilities is increased by working under constant conditions.
It optimizes the size of the installation and avoids over-sizing of the treatment plant as it should be
dimensioned, for example, at maximum flow conditions.
The size and cost of processing units located downstream are reduced.

2.- FLOW CONTROL STRATEGIES

The regulation of the treatment plant inlet water flow consists of flow peaks and valleys mitigation, so that the
treatment plant works with a constant flow rate, leading to an increase of different processes and unit operations
efficiency
Basically, the process flow control consists of a basin or a tank with appropriate volume. When the inflow is higher
than the average flow (or ETP design flow) in the tank, flow accumulation of excess water occurs (level in the tank
rises). When inflow is smaller than average, accumulated water is extracted with the unit outflow (tank water level
decreases)
The two basic modes of operation of the ponds or tanks flow control are:

Online/In-line: The tank of regulation is in line with the feed to the treatment plant and consequently, all
wastewater passes through the tank or the regulation basin.

Parallel or off-line: Only the water exceeding the average flow rate is derived to the equalization tank, and
is forwarded to the treatment when the arrival rate is below average.

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Flow
meter

Inlet flow

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Average ETP flow

IN-LINE
EQUALIZATION BASIN

Average ETP flow

Flow meter

Inlet flow

Inlet flow - Average ETP flow

Average ETP flow - Inlet flow

OFF-LINE
EQUALIZATION BASIN

Figure 1.- Basic operation schemes for equalization tanks.

If wastewater has suspended solids regulation tanks implement agitation in order to prevent settling.
Design basis are defined by installation water feed rates variation along a period of time. The volume required for
the flow regulation tank can be determined either by graphical representations of flow changes throughout the
day or by mass balances over time, which can be translated in tables inside the calculation sheet.
a)

Graphical method

Figure 2.- Schematic mass diagrams for the determination of the required equalization basin storage volume
for two typical flowrate patterns.
The volume required for flowrate equalization is determined by using an inflow cumulative volume diagram in
which the cumulative inflow volume is plotted versus the time of day. The average daily flowrate, also plotted on
the same diagram, is the straight line drawn from the origin to the endpoint of the diagram. Diagrams for two
typical flowrate patterns are shown on Fig. 2. (Metcalf-Eddy, 2003)
To determine the required volume, a line parallel to the coordinate axis, defined by the average daily flowrate, is
drawn tangent to the mass inflow curve. The required volume is then equal to the vertical distance from the point
of tangency to the straight line representing the average flowrate (see Fig. 2). If the inflow mass curve goes above

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the line representing the average flowrate (see Fig. 2), the inflow mass diagram must be bounded with two lines
that are parallel to the average flowrate line and tangent to extremities of the inflow mass diagram. The required
volume is then equal to the vertical distance between the two lines. The procedure is exactly the same as if the
average hourly volumes were subtracted from the volume flow occurring each hour, and the resulting cumulative
volumes were plotted. In this case, the low and high points of the curve would be determined using a horizontal
line.
The physical interpretation of the diagrams shown on Figure 2 is as follows. At the low point of tangency (flowrate
pattern A) the storage basin is empty. Beyond this point, the basin begins to fill because the slope of the inflow
mass diagram is greater than that of the average daily flowrate. The basin continues to fill until it becomes full at
midnight. For flowrate pattern B, the basin is filled at the upper point of tangency.
In practice, the volume of the equalization basin will be larger than that theoretically determined to account for the
following factors:

Continuous operation of aeration and mixing equipment will not allow complete drawdown, although
special structures can be built.

Volume must be provided to accommodate the concentrated plant recycle streams that are expected, if
such flows are returned to the equalization basin (a practice that is not recommended unless the basin is
covered because of the potential to create odors).

Some contingency should be provided for unforeseen changes in diurnal flow.

Although no fixed value can be given, the additional volume will vary from 10 to 20 percent of the theoretical value,
depending on the specific conditions.
b) Mass balance method:
To carry out the second method, more accurate and easier to perform than the first, a spreadsheet with the
following columns has to be prepared:

Time (e.g. hour by hour).

Volume of water entering the treatment plant in the referred period (m3).

Cumulative water volume starting from time zero (m3). The daily accumulated volume divided into 24 h
is the average flow (m3/h).

Volume of water extracted from the regulation tank since zero time, which corresponds to the average
flow rate multiplied by the number of elapsed hours.

Difference between the two previous columns. This last column is set of positive and negative values.

Positive values correspond to the amount of water needed to store, as extracted water flows are less than
the amount of water arrivals.

Negative values represent the water needed to have stored for those periods of time when withdrawals
are greater than the inlet flow.
The volume of the regulation basin is the sum of the maximum positive value and negative minimum value in
absolute value. If there are no positive or negative values, this term will be zero.

3.- POLLUTANTS CONCENTRATION HOMOGENIZATION STRATEGIES

In certain industrial plants the composition of the wastewater that reaches the treatment plant varies considerably
throughout the day, or point source discharges occur with high concentrations of pollutants. If these variations are
important it is necessary to carry out a water stream homogenization so that the treatment plant can operate under
the best possible conditions.
Homogenization of the influent composition of a treatment plant for industrial water is the mitigation of peaks and
valleys of contamination loads which are entering to the installation, so that water inlet can be as homogeneous as
possible. The homogenization process basically consists of a deposit or tank of suitable capacity, which normally
works full, serving as lung, where homogenization of the residual water takes place.
According to the above, the optimum working state of a homogenization tank is always full, so that the volume of
water in the same buffer serves as mitigation for variable contamination levels.
Moreover, in order to achieve a proper homogenization between the affluent and the water in the tank it is
necessary to install an agitation system (a soft agitation is usually enough).

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The volume of the homogenization tank will be defined in terms of changes in influent quality caused by
production processes.
Besides, the way how to determine the volume of a homogenization basin may be performed as in the case of
equalization tanks; by graphical representation, or by performing a mass balance which can be transferred into a
calculation sheet, but in this case using contaminant kilograms rather than water volumes of regulation tank case.
It is important to note that when regulating tanks are set online, during most of the time are partially filled with
water, where a certain degree of homogenization is achieved, considering that a proper agitation extists.
In the design of such equipment the following must be taken into account:

Tanks work at a variable level, and do not require agitation unless the water contains suspended solids so
as to prevent their decantation or intend to achieve a certain degree of homogenization.

The homogenization basins work optimally at a fixed level and always full, needing agitation
If homogenization facilities are ahead of the primary sedimentation and biological treatment, the project should
consider providing a degree of mixing in the homogenization tank sufficient to prevent sedimentation of solids
and concentration variations; and aeration devices sufficient to avoid odor problems.
Sometimes it can be more interesting to place homogenization after primary treatment and before biological
treatment.
Adopting an online homogenization system allows to considerably mitigate constituent loads on the treatment
processes which occur downstream, while in offline systems homogenization effectiveness is rather lower.

4.- SPECIFIC TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

The two basic mixing systems are:

Mechanical agitation. The mixing power should be about 15 to 25 W/m3 of water (3 to 4 W/m3 in some
references). In the case of a regulation tank always working with variable levels, keep in mind that the
agitators cannot stay in the air.

Air agitation by injection through diffusers. The amount of air should be between 0.4 and 0.6 m3
air/m3.hour. The type of diffusers to use are medium or coarse bubble.
In practice, the volume of the equalizing tank, or the regulation tank, must be bigger than that of theoretical
calculations, in order to take into account the following factors:

Continuous operation of stirring and mixing equipment in the homogenization and regulation tanks, if
needed, will not allow complete emptying.

Return flows to treatment plant entry and filtered supernatants require an additional storage volume

Please note an additional volume to meet contingencies that may arise from unexpected changes daily
flow or composition.

The retention time in these units is estimated in the range from 12 to 24 hours for a defined volume based
on the daily flow

Maintaining aerobic conditions requires having an air supply of 9 to 15 L/m3. Storage retention (min).
Although it cannot be any fixed value, the additional volume can vary between 10% and 20% of the calculated
value.

5.- SPECIFICATIONS IN THE TREATMENT OF WASTEWATER OF TEXTILE INDUSTRY

Different tables with ranges of pollutant concentrations present in textile industry wastewater are presented below.
These pollutant levels can be homogenized in the tanks.

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Table 1.- Parameters concentrations of water pollutants generated in the textile sector in terms of treatment
and finishing of yarn, wool, cotton or knitt (Cmara Valencia, 2000).
Parameter
pH
COD (mg/L)
BOD5 (mg/L)
SS (mg/L)
Colour (Pt-Co)

Yarn
8 -12
600 1000
200 350
50 - 150
100 - 1000

Cotton fabric
8 13
1000 3000
300 1100
50 200
300 - 3000

Wool fabric
5,5 8
1000 1800
250 600
50 200
200 1500

Knitted cotton
5,5 9
800 1300
200 450
50 150
1000 - 1000

60 125

100 - 400

100 300

100 200

Water consumption
(L/kg)

Table 2.- Categories and characteristics of textile process effluents (Jefferson S. & B. Judd, 2003).
Parameters

Categories
Raw wool
scouring

Yarn and
fabric
manufacturi
ng

Wool
finishing

Woven
fabric
finishing

Knitted
fabric
finishing

Carpet
finishing

Stock and
yarn
dyeing and
finishing

0,2

0,29

0,35

0,54

0,35

0,3

0,31

BOD5 (mg/L)

6000

300

350

650

350

300

250

TSS (mg/L)

8000

130

200

300

300

120

75

COD (mg/L)

30000

1040

1000

1200

1000

1000

800

Oil and grease (mg/L)

5500

14

53

Total chrome (mg/L)

0,05

0,04

0,05

0,42

0,27

Phenol (mg/L)

1,5

0,5

0,014

0,04

0,24

0,13

0,12

Sulphide (mg/L)

0,2

0,1

0,2

0,14

0,09

2000

1000

325

400

600

600

8,0

7,0

10

10

11

BOD/COD

Colour (ADMI)
pH

Temperature (C)
28
62
21
37
39
20
38
a
ADMI (American Dye Manufacturers Institute) lcolour values result from a special procedure for determination of colur in
dyeing wastewaters (Allen et al., 1972; Little. 1978).

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6.- PARAMETERS AND CONTROL STRATEGIES

Hydraulic retention time.

Establishing bypass systems to perform maintenance emptying and solids and accumulated debris
extraction.

7.- OPERATING PROBLEMS

Operational problems:

Lack of ventilation when much organic matter arrives.

Accumulation of sediment and sand in the bottom of the tank (lack of energy).

Extraction problems in the extraction of thick or settled materials.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY
AWWA; (1975); "Control de calidad y tratamiento de agua"; American Water Works Association; Instituto de Estudios
de la Administracin Local; Madrid.
DEGRMONT; (1973); "Manual tcnico del agua"; tercera edicin espaola; ISBN 84-300-1651-1.
DEGRMONT; (1979); "Manual tcnico del agua"; cuarta edicin espaola; ISBN 84-300-1651-1.
METCALF-EDDY; (1985); "Ingeniera sanitaria. Tratamiento, evacuacin y reutilizacin de aguas residuales"; Editorial
Labor; Barcelona; ISBN 84-335-6421-8.
METCALF-EDDY; (2003); Wastewater Engineering. Treatment and Reuse; 4 edition. McGraw-Hill, ISBN 0-07041878-0.
NALCO CHEMICAL, Co.; (1993); "Manual del agua. Su naturaleza, tratamiento y aplicaciones"; McGraw-Hill; Mjico;
ISBN 968-451-290-2.
RIGOLA LAPEA, M.; (1989); " Tratamiento de aguas industriales: aguas de proceso y residuales"; Coleccin
Prodctica; Editorial Marcombo; Barcelona; 158 pgs.; ISBN: 84-267-0740-8.
SAINZ SASTRE, J.A. (2007); Tecnologas para la sostenibilidad. Procesos y operaciones unitarias en depuracin de
aguas residuales ; Coleccin EOI Medio Ambiente, Fundacin EOI, ISBN 978-84-88723-58-1
STEEL, E.W.; McGHEE, T.; (1981); "Abastecimiento de agua y alcantarillado"; Editorial Gustavo Gili, S.A.; Barcelona;
636 pgs.; ISBN 84-252-0094-6.
TEBBUTT; T.H.Y.; (1990); "Fundamentos de ccontrol de la calidad del agua"; Editorial Limusa; Mxico; 240 pgs.; ISBN:
968-18-3317-1.
WEBER, W.J.; (1979; " Control de la calidad del agua. Procesos fisico qumicos"; Editorial Revert, 654 pgs.; ISBN 84291-7522-9.

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ANNEX 1
GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF PROCESS UNITS

Figure 1
Basic sketch of a flow regulation system.

Figure 2
General image of a equalization tank with surface agitation (Cumberland County, USA).

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Figure 3
Sketch of the effect of surface agitation system.

Figure 4
Agitation system ejector example

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Figure 5
Bottom agitation system

Figure 6
Vertical axis floating agitation/aeration system.
http://www.fuchs-germany.com/es/aguas-residuales/

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Figure 7
Oblique axis floating agitation/aeration system.
http://www.fuchs-germany.com/es/aguas-residuales/

Figure 8
Details of bottom impeller agitation equipment

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.
Figure 9.
General image of a regulation-homogenization tank .

Figure 10
General image of a regulation-homogenization tank .

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