Effect of Biofilm Formation on Roughness Coefficient and Solids Deposition in Small-Diameter PVC Sewer Pipes
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 133, Issue 4
Abstract
The purpose of a sanitary sewer is to carry the peak discharge at the end of the design period, and to transport suspended materials under all flow conditions to prevent deposition of solids, and hence, sewer blockages. To accomplish the latter, the liquid must provide for sufficient shear stress to suspend and transport the particles along the sewer. Published design criteria for critical shear stress in sanitary sewers vary significantly. However, the effect of biological film development on the internal pipe surface has been neglected. Experiments conducted utilizing a pilot-scale sanitary sewer installed in the Hydraulics Laboratory at the University of New Orleans, La., provide evidence that the shear stress to move particles of a given size is independent of slope and pipe diameter, but does depend on the effect of biological film on increasing the roughness coefficient. This critical shear stress, to achieve self-cleansing in sanitary sewers, was found to be in the range of , depending on the integrity of the biofilm. Based on this principle, a design procedure applicable to small-diameter PVC pipes with slopes between 0.1 and 0.5% was developed.
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Acknowledgments
This research was supported by the University of New Orleans Schlieder Urban Environmental Systems Center through an EPA Grant. The writers would like to acknowledge the contribution of M. J. Pujol of the University of La Plata, Argentina, and of the other research team members: Juan C. Josse, Freddy Betancourt, and Pablo Colmenares.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 133 • Issue 4 • April 2007
Pages: 364 - 371
Copyright
© 2007 ASCE.
History
Received: Feb 16, 2005
Accepted: Oct 1, 2006
Published online: Apr 1, 2007
Published in print: Apr 2007
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