S E W A G E W O R K S J O U R N A L
v o l . x i y M A R C H , 1 9 4 2 n o . 2
S p e c i a l F e a t u r e s
R e p o r t o f R e s e a r c h C o m m i t t e e
A N e w G r i t C h a m b e r — C a m p
O p e r a t i o n a t G a r y — M a t h e w s
S m a l l P u m p i n g S t a t i o n s — O l e w i l e r
D i s t i l l e r y W a s t e s — W a l l a c h a n d W o l m a n
O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E
F E D E R A T I O N O F S E W A G E W O R K S A S S O C I A T I O N S
v o l u n t a r y p a y - r o l l a l l o t m e n t power;
p l a n
helps workers pro
vide for the future;
helps store up to
m o r r o w ’s buying
helps defend Amer
ica today.
Business heads are adopting the Vol
untary Pay-Roll Allotment Plan as a simple way for every worker to start a systematic and continuous Defense Bond savings program. It is a sen
sible step toward reducing the ranks of the post-war needy. It will help spread the financial participation in national defense among all of Amer
ica’s wage-eamers. It will materially retard inflation by “storing” part of our pyramiding national income, thus reducing the demand for our diminishing supply of consumer goods.
in emergencies, America doesn’t do things “ hit-or-miss.” W e would get there eventually if we just left it to everybody’s whim to buy Defense Bonds when they thought of it. But we’re a nation of businessmen who understand that the way tc get a thing done is to systematize the op
eration. That is why so many e m ployers are getting back of this vol
untary savings plan.
All you have to do is offer your employees the convenience of naving a fixed sum allotted from each pay envelope to the purchase of Defense Bonds. Each employee who chooses to start this savings plan decides tbe denomination of the bonds to be purchased, and the amount to be allocated from his wages each pay day. Yo u deliver a bond to the employee each time his allotments accumulate to a sufficient amount.
Plenty of help available. The
Treasury Department is ready and willing to give you all kinds of help. Local civilian committees in 48 States are set up to work with you just as m u c h as you want them to, and no more. W e will supply most of the necessary material.
The first step is to take a closer look. Writing for details in no way obligates you to install the plan. It simply indicates that you’d like to do something to help keep your people off relief when defense pro
duction sloughs off; something to
enable all wage-earners to participate in financing national defense; some
thing to retard inflation and store up tomorrow’s buying power. So, write for the free kit of material heing used by companies that have installed the Voluntary Defense Savings Pay-Roll Allotment Plan. Address: Treasury Department, Section A, 709 Twelfth Street NW., Washington, D. C.
SEWAGE WORKS JOURNAL 1
CP ifW*'5 °'3S
S T I L L G O I N G S T R O N G
T h a t ’s ( § o m e R e c o r d
Q e n t l e m e n f
M A N U F A C T U R E E S OF P u m p in g , — S e u m j J e T r e a t m e n t , — W a t e r P u r i f i c a t i o n E q u i p m e n t
POUTECHNIKlt-
FED ER A T IO N OF S E W A G E W O RKS ASSOCIATIONS
O FFICERS
President
A rthur S. Bedell, Division of Sanitation, State Dept, of Health, Albany, N. \ . Vice-President
George J. Schroepfer, Minneapolis-St. Paul Sanitary District, St. Paul, Minn.
W. W. DeBerard, City Engineer, Chicago, 111.
W. H. Wisely, Box 18, Urbana, 111.
Treasurer
Secretary
Editor
F. W. Mohlman, Chief Chemist, The Sanitary District of Chicago, 910 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, 111.
Assistant to the Editor Gladys Swope, North Shore Sanitary District, Dahringer Road, Waukegan, 111.
Directors Arizona: P. J. Martin (1943)
California: A. L. Frick (1941)*
Central States: G. J. Schroepfer (1942) Dakota: W. W. Towne (1943)
Florida: Joe Williamson, Jr. (1944) Federal: J. K. Hoskins (1944) Georgia: V. P. Enloe (1944) Iowa: A. H. Wieters (1944) Kansas: Earnest Boyce (1942) Maryland-Delaw are: H. R. H a ll (1942) Michigan: N. G. Damoose (1943) Missouri: G. S. Russell (1942) New England: F. W. Gilcreas (1942) New Jersey: Willem Rudolfs (1943) New York: N. L. Nussbaumer (1942) ,North Carolina: H. G. Baity (1943)
Ohio: F. W. Jones (1942) Oklahoma: H. J. Darcey (1941)*
Pacific Northwest: J. W. Cunningham (1941)*
* Successor not yet designated.
Pennsylvania: H. E. Moses (1943) Rocky Mountain: C. A. Davis (1942) Texas: V. M. Eh lers (1942) Argentina: E. B. Besselievre (1943) Canada: A. E. Berry (1943)
Inst. San. Eng. (Eng.): J. E. Farmer (1941)*
Inst. Sew. Pur. ( Eng.): J. H. Garner (1941)*
At Large: A. H. Niles (1944) At Large: A. M. Rawn (1943) At Large: L. H. Enslow (1942)
W. and S. Wks. Mfgrs.: K a rl M. Mann (1944) W. and S. Wks. Mfgrs.: D. S. McAfee (1943) W. and S. Wks. Mfgrs.: L. E. Rein (1942) Ex-Officio: C. A. Emerson (1942) Ex-Officio: Morris M. Cohn (1942) Ex-Officio: G. R. F rith (1942) Ex-Officio: F. W. Gilcreas (1942) Ex-Officio: W illem Rudolfs (1942)
S E W A G E W O R K S J O U R N A L REG. U. S. PAT. OFF.
A Bimonthly Journal devoted to the advancement of fundamental and practical knowledge concerning the nature, collection, treatment and disposal of sewage and industrial wastes, and the design, construction, operation and manage
ment of sewage works.
Publication Office: Prince and Lemon Sts., Lancaster, Pa.
Subscription Price:
Members of Local Sewage Works Associations affiliated with the Federation, $3.00 per year.
Non-members: U. S. and Canada, $5.00 per year; other countries, $5.50.
Foreign Subscriptions must be accompanied by International Money Order.
Single copies: United States, $1.00 each; Foreign, $1.25 each.
Manuscript may be sent to the Editor, F . W . Mohlman, 910 So. Michigan Ave., Chicago, 111., for acceptance or rejection subject to the provisions of the Federation Constitution.
Advertising copy should be sent to A rthu r A. Clay, Advertising Manager, Lancaster, P a . or 654 Madison Ave., New York, N. Y.
Subscriptions and address changes should be sent to W . H . W isely, Executive Secretarv Ton caster, Pa., or Box 18, Urbana, Illinois.
No claims will be allowed for copies of Journals lost in the mails unless such claims are received within sixty (60) days of the date of issue and no claims will be allowed for issues lost as a result of insufficient notice of change of address. Missing from files cannot be accepted as the reason for honoring a claim.
Entered as second-class matter, May 7, 1934, at the post office at Lancaster, Pa., under the Act of March 3, 1879.
SEWAGE WORKS JOURNAL 3
★ BETTER SANITATION ★ FOR OUR DEFENSE FORCES
D u r i n g 1941, a b o u t 9 2 percent of o u r w o r k w a s for the D e f e n s e P r o g r a m . T h i s h a s m e a n t the e q u i p p i n g of m a n y s e w a g e a n d w a t e r plants for the defense forces -— the p r o v i d i n g of better sanita
tion for o v e r a million m e n .
W e enter 1 9 4 2 w i t h a n u n d e r s t a n d i n g of exactly w h a t is re
q uired for e a c h t y p e of defense plant. T h a t t h e situation h a s b e e n d i a g n o s e d correctly is s h o w n b y the successful operation of these plants, m o s t of w h i c h h a v e e x c e e d e d in practice the results c o n t e m p l a t e d d u r i n g t h e blue print stage.
If y o u are a designing engineer, active in defense plant projects, y o u will b e interested in the follow
ing list, s h o w i n g the t y p e s of plants w e h a v e b e e n equipping, a n d the units w e h a v e b e e n r e c o m m e n d i n g in e a c h case—
A I R B A S E S A N D O R D N A N C E P L A N T S Design Population— 1000-5000
Type Treatment— Trickling filter or Biofilters (single stage)
Dorr Equipment — Clarigester, Distributor, Secondary Clarifier
A R M Y C A M P S A N D N A V A L B A S E S Design Population— 10,000-40,000
Type Treatment—Biofiltration— single or two stage
Dorr Equipment — Clarifiers, Distributors, Multdigestion Systems, Detritors
I N D U S T R I A L C I T Y E X P A N S I O N S F O R D P W
Design Population— all up to several hundred thousand
Additions to existing plants—
Dorrco Clariflocculators— for better sedi
mentation
Dorrco Monorakes— for mechanizing ex
isting rectangular plain basins
Biofiltration Systems— for better trickling filter treatment
En tirely New Plants—•
Small— same as A ir Bases and Ordnance plants
Larger— same as Arm y Camps and N aval Bases
T h i s is the first of a series of ad s o n t h e use of D o r r e q u i p m e n t a n d services at s e w a g e a n d w a t e r treat
m e n t plants serving o u r defense forces. S u b s e q u e n t a d s will t a k e u p e a c h particular t y p e of plant in detail.
★ M a y w e talk D e f e n s e P r o g r a m sanitation w i t h y o u — facts, figures a n d costs o n w h a t h a s b e e n d o n e in 19 4 1 a n d c a n b e d o n e better in
1 9 4 2 ?
T H E D O R R C O M P A N Y , I N C . • E N G I N E E R S
5 7 0 L E X I N G T O N A V E . • N E W Y O R K
A T L A N T A • T O R O N T O • C H I C A G O • D E N V E R • L O S A N G E L E S
4 SEWAGE WORKS JOURNAL
This chart— Inter-Relations of pH, Free C 02 and A lkalinity— is typical of the information brought to plant operators and sanitary engineers by the American W ater W orks Association through its Jo u r n a l. W rite A .W .W .A . headquarters for information about membership.
This chart is also typical of the valuable information in the A .W .W .A .’s Manual of Water Quality and Treatment, available from A .W .W .A . headquarters— Price to A .W .W .A . Members, $2.50; to A .W .W .A . Members who send cash with order,
$2.25 ; to non-members, $3.00.
A M E R I C A N W A T E R W O R K S A S S O C I A T I O N
2 2 E a s t 4 0 t h St. N e w Y o r k , N . Y .
• Link-Belt S T R A I G H T L I N E Collectors are used exclusively in the settling tanks. Each of these four tanks, which are 83'5" wide x 16'6" deep x 270' long, employs five longitudinal and one cross collectors—
a total of 24 collectors are used. Each collector has an individual motor and drive. They are completely covered as illustrated in the drawing above. View of collector is shown in photograph below, left.
The four flocculation or mixing tanks (see drawing above) employ 12 Link-Belt S T R A I G H T L I N E Slow Paddle Mixers. Each tank is divided into three c o m partments measuring 17'4" wide x 18' deep x 79'S"
long. Each of these compartments is equipped with a Paddle Mixer (see photo below, right), with each row individually driven through a Link-Belt P.I.V.
Gear variable speed transmission. T h e flocculation tanks are built integrally with the four settling tanks.
o u n try ’s N e w e s t and L a r g e s t—
E Q U I P P E D E X C L U S I V E L Y W I T H
L f A f J C - B £ L T S T R A I G H T L I N E
C O L L E C T O R S a n d M I X E R S
Filter Plant, Lake Erie Water Project, Toledo, Ohio. Greeley
& Hansen, Consulting Engineers.
Link-Belt manufactures S T R A I G H T L I N E Collectors for rectangular set- tling tanks and C I R C U L I N E Collectors for round tanks. They convey sludge to the discharge point over the shortest pos
sible path and in the shortest time. N o stirring—
positive in action— travel speed can be adapted to the characteristics of the sludge. The slow speed of these units and the excellent distribution of flow assure m a x i m u m efficiency in the removal of sus
pended solids.
L i n k - B e l t S T R A I G H T L I N E Paddle Mixers of the vertical or horizontal types have proved their value in reducing chemical costs and promoting efficient floccu
lation in water and sewage treatment plants.
They consist of a shaft to which is fastened arms which carry either wood or steel paddles. Th e m a x i m u m circumferential speed of the mixers for flocculation tanks is 1.8 f.p.s., and the m i n i m u m speed is about half of that. A gradual decrease in speed of the units is desirable for efficient flocculation.
L I N K - B E L T C O M P A N Y
Specialists in the Manufacture of Equipment for Water and Sewage Treatment Plants Philadelphia Chicago Cleveland Indianapolis Los Angeles Toronto
f o r
P O R O U S P L A T E S AND T U B E S
i n a c t i v a t e d
s l u d g e p l a n t s
S p e c if y
NORTON
E n g i n e e r s i n m a n y p r o g r e s s i v e c o m m u n i t i e s a r e s p e c i f y i n g
“ N o r t o n ” w h e n s e l e c t i n g p o r o u s p l a t e s o r t u b e s f o r a c t i v a t e d s l u d g e s e w a g e d i s p o s a l p l a n t s . “ C o n t r o l l e d s t r u c t u r e ” i n t h e m a n u f a c t u r e o f t h e s e p l a t e s a n d t u b e s a s s u r e s u n i f o r m a i r d i s t r i b u t i o n a n d r e g u l a t e d w e t p r e s s u r e l o s s . C o n t i n u o u s r e s e a r c h h a s l e d t o t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f r u g g e d a n d c h e m i c a l l y s t a b l e N o r t o n P o r o u s M e d i u m s t h a t g i v e l o n g , t r o u b l e - f r e e s e r v i c e .
N O R T O N C O M P A N Y ~ W O R C E S T E R , M A S S . R 710
SEWAGE WORKS JOURNAL 7
W H A T 5 «
C A N M E A N T O
Y O U R F U T U R E
HOW MUCH ALUMINUM we are making now is a censored secret. W e are determined it shall be sufficient to the need.
HOW MUCH WILL BE AVAILABLE, after the war, is idle talk now.
THE PRICE OF ALUMINUM is the thing that’s important. It is important to the war, because our reduction of the price of ingot from 20c to 15c is saving the Government m any millions of dollars a year.
THAT FIVE CENTS doesn’t make aluminum one whit more useful for war purposes— only more patriotic.
BUT IT DOES MAKE aluminum terribly important to the peace. Real peace means jobs for all. Jobs-for-all come into being only when people want to buy and can buy:
Which means new things, better things, at a price.
IMAGINEERING is the word we have coined to describe the thinking which is used to get those new things ready.
Imagineering is letting your imagination soar and then engineering it down to earth. Imagineering needs tools as well as brains.
THAT FIVE CENTS w e ’ve lopped off the price of aluminum, so far, has more potentialities of creating new things and better things, at a price, than any single thing we know of.
THAT'S WHERE YOU COME IN. You are the m a n who. You
are the m a n America is counting on to make the jobs Americans are going to need. Yo u are the m a n who is going to do the Imagineering, in your specialty, that is going to win the place for yourself, your employees, your associates.
YOU ARE GOING TO DO IT, and we hope you are going to let Alcoa help. W e can, and we want to.
Aluminum Company of America, 2111 Gulf Building, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
ALCOA ALUMINUM
A L C O A
T he C h a p m a n V a l v e
I N D I A N O R C H A R D .
TO KEEP 'EM FLOWING
V A L V E E Q U I P M E N T
T h e v a s t p r o g r a m o f w a r p r o d u c t i o n h a s p l a c e d u n p r e c e d e n t e d b u r d e n s u p o n o u r s e w a g e s y s t e m s . P u b l i c h e a l t h a n d t h e u n i n t e r r u p t e d f l o w o f p r o d u c t i o n d e p e n d i n l a r g e m e a s u r e o n t h e i r e f f i c i e n t f u n c t i o n i n g , a n d t h e c o n t r o l e q u i p m e n t p l a y s a v i t a l p a r t h e r e . F o r m a n y y e a r s C h a p m a n h a s s u p p l i e d v a l v e s a n d o t h e r c o n t r o l e q u i p m e n t t o t h e s e w a g e f i e l d . T h e s e F C h a p m a n p r o d u c t s c a n b e r e l i e d u p o n t o s t a n d u p a n d “ t a k e i t ” , w h a t e v e r t h e d e m a n d u p o n t h e m m a y b e . T h e w a t c h w o r d o f n a t i o n a l d e f e n s e i s “ K e e p ’ E m F l y i n g ” . I t s f u l f i l l m e n t i n t h e s e w a g e f i e l d i s t o “ k e e p ’ e m f l o w i n g ” , a n d C h a p m a n v a l v e s a n d v a l v e e q u i p m e n t h a v e b e e n d e s i g n e d a n d b u i l t t o t h a t e n d .
(At Left) 48" Manually Operated
Chapman Cone Valve Weight— 39000 lbs.
(At Right) Typical Iron Body
Bronze Mounted Chapman Gate Valve Solid Wedge, Rising Stem,
M a n u f a c t u r in g C o
10 SEWAGE WORKS JOURNAL
GENERAL CHEMICAL ‘ALUM’
FO R CO AG ULATIO N O F W A TER A N D
^SEWAGE
General Chemical Company Aluminum Sulfate is a first line defense against taste and odor troubles, supplementing other methods of control. Prominent water works authorities state that 2 5 % to 5 0 % of taste and odor may be re
moved in the settling basins by adequate coagulation. Such coagulation also carries down in the settling basins the filter clog
ging organisms which shorten filter runs.
Clarity and purity of sewage effluent are easily obtainable with General Chemical Aluminum Sulfate. W h e n you use General Chemical 'Alum; you get these advantages :
• It is simple to apply, clean, easy to handle.
• Requires only simple, low cost equip
ment for application.
• It is a year around coagulant.
• Does not necessarily require other chemicals to complete the reaction ... and there is no com
plicated proportioning of two or more chemicals.
• Can produce clear, near zero turbidity effluent.
• Precipitated sludge dries quickly and without odor.
• It is preferred and specified by the m a jority of important American municipalities.
General Chemical Company is pleased to extend the cooperation of its experts in sewage and water purification problems.
Inquiries for further information are cordi
ally invited. Write today.
G E N E R A L C H E M I C A L C O M P A N Y
40 R EC TO R S T R E ET , N E W Y O R K , N . Y .
Sales Offices: Atlanta • Baltimore • Boston . Bridgeport (Conn.) . Buffalo Charlotte (N. C.) • Chicago • Cleveland . Denver • Detroit • Houston . Kansas City Milwaukee • Minneapolis • New York • Philadelphia • Pittsburgh . Providence (R. I. )
St. Louis • Utica (N. Y. )
Pacific Coast Sales Offices: San Francisco • Los Angeles Pacific Northwest Sales Offices: Wenatchee (Wash.) . Yakima (Wash.) In Canada: The Nichols Chemical Company, Limited • Montreal . Toronto . Vancouver
G e n e r a l C h e m i c a l A L U M I N U M S U L F A T E
SEWAGE WORKS JOURNAL 11
FOR BETTER SEWER LINES
a t a S A V I N G -
ON GRAVITY LINES, Trans- Ite’s long lengths make it easier to lay pipe to an ac
curate grade. Its high flow coefficient (n-.OlO) often permits the use of flatter grades, shallower trenches.
S T A R T I N G right at installation, J - M Transite Sewer Pipe makes important contributions to more efficient, economical sewage disposal. M a d e of asbestos and cement, it comes in light, easy-to- handle, 13-foot lengths that speed up installation, reduce the number of joints and facilitate laying to accurate grades. Its unusual corrosion resistance keeps maintenance low. Joints are tight to begin with . . .stay tight in service. A n d Transite’s smooth interior (n-,010) frequently permits the use of flat
ter grades, shallower trenches or smaller pipe with no sacrifice of carrying capacity.
More and more communities are taking advan
tage of the savings offered by Transite Sewer Pipe.
W h y not get the facts? Write for brochure TR-21A.
A n d if you’re interested in better water service, send for Transite Water Pipe brochure TR-11A.
Johns-Manville, 22 E. 40th St., N e w York, N. Y.
FORCE MAINS are easy to install when J- M Transite Pipe is used. Its long len g th s, lig h t w e ig h t and simple assembly speed up work, cut costs. And joints stay tight.
M J O H N S - M A N V I L L E T R A N S I T E P I P E
T h e M O D E R N M a t e r i a l f o r S e w e r a n d W a t e r L in e s
12 SEWAGE WORKS JOURNAL
A T E S T I M O N I A L T O
T H A T
N i n e y e a r s of y e o m a n ’s service— and still going strong. That’s the record of the Everdur (copper-silicon alloy) blades on this Laughlin Automatic Traveling Type Screen at the Dearborn Sewage Treatment Works, Dearborn, Mich. A n d it’s a record even more remarkable in that this plant mixes storm sewer and sanitary sewer wastes, ex
posing the Everdur to an unusual a m o u n t of grit. Hence, this enthusiastic testimonial to
Everdur from M . A. Groen, Chief Operator:
"It is just nine years ago this m o n t h that our W e s t Side Plant was completed and put into operation. A t that time, t w o coarse screens of the Laughlin Automatic Travel
ing T y p e were installed. These were m a d e up of2668 blades of Everdur, 14" x 214" x 14" each.
"After nine years, partially submerged in sewage, these Everdur blades are as g o o d as the day they were installed.”
Photo shows two coarse screens o f the Laughlin Automatic Traveling Type in service at the Dearborn Sewage Treatment Works, Dearborn, Michigan. Blades are o f Everdur
SEWAGE WORKS JOURNAL 13
A n a c o n dA
from mine to consumer Rt&OSg^ BW.Off.
T O O K N I N E Y E A R S T O W R I T E
C L O S E - U P of Everdur cleaner box fabri
cated by Filtration Equipment Corporation, B o u n d Brook, N. J. In spite of constant exposure to the abrasive action of the m a g netite sand, there is n o noticeable wear after 5 years’ service.
O V E R A L L view of the Magnetite Filtering System, installed five years ago, at the Dearborn Sewage Disposal Plant. A further example of Everdur service in this plant.
P ossessing tensile strength comparable with mild steel and corrosion resistance equal to or better than that of copper, Everdur has sh o w n itself adaptable to a vast n u m b e r of needs in the sewage disposal field. It is a rugged, workable metal, easy to fabricate and readily weldable by any of the established procedures. For further facts o n Everdur, send for Anaconda Publica
tion E-ll. It contains detailed information of interest
to sewage engineers. 4U60.A
S IL IC O N
T H E A M E R I C A N B R A S S C O M P A N Y G E N E R A L O F F I C E S : W A T E R B U R Y , C O N N E C T I C U T S u b sid ia ry o f A n a co n d a Copper M in in g Company
O U R W A R P R O G R A M N E E D S E V E R D U R * . . . for fuel lines on planes, for non-magnetic pilot houses on small naval craft, for bolts and screws in hundreds of wooden hulls . . . for many other uses where Everdur serves best be
cause of its strength, corrosion resistance, weldability and high en
durance limit.
*'‘Everdur” is a trade-mark of the American Brass Com-
&any, registered in the nited States Patent Office.
S A N I T A T I O N engineers, who realize lully the severe field conditions under which valves must operate dependably in sewage disposal systems, invariably write Nordstrom Lubricated Plug Valves into construction specifications.
Nation-wide use in municipal plants has definitely proved that quick quarter-turn operation, and 100% efficiency, even under most difficult conditions of corrosion and abrasion, place Nordstroms head and shoulders above other types for meeting the stiff requirements of sewage treatment. Nord
stroms not only outlive other valves several times over, but the lubricated plug valve principle makes them vastly superior in successfully coping with the heterogeneous nature of the fluids which must be handled. It is in no way surprising, then, that for reasons of economy, efficiency and dependability, Nordstrom Valves figure prominently in the construction of today's most modern sewage plants.
We'll gladly send you illustrated literature, giving com
plete details concerning Nordstrom Lubricated Plug Valves for Sewage Disposal Plants. Write today.
P I T T S B U R G H E Q U I T A B L E M E T E R C O M P A N Y new YodK Oakland MERCO NORDSTROM VALVE COMPANY , Brooklyn tulsa Main Offices. Pittsburgh, Pa. Rniiad!l5ŃV«
nc< uniNFt CHICAGO , HOUSTON
memphis BOSTON NATIONAL METER DIVISION. Brooklyn. N Y S*H FR*Nc.sco Columbia ANGELES BUFFALO
SEWAGE WORKS JOURNAL 15
1 . P e r m a n e n t T i g h t n e s s
2 . F l e x i b i l i t y
3 . S i m p l i c i t y
4 . Q u i c k I n s t a l l a t i o n
5 . S t r e n g t h
6. T r u e E c o n o m y
These are some of the important advantages of Dresser Couplings — the reasons why you find Dressers used throughout the country for all types of sewer-lines and sewage-plant piping. For joining steel, cast-iron, or concrete pipe—for both new sewage construction and for replacement and repair work, specify Dressers and save time, trouble, and expense. W r i t e f o r C a t a l o g 402B.
D R E S S E R M A N U F A C T U R I N G C O M P A N Y - B R A D F O R D , PA.
16 S E W A G E W O E K S JOUB3STAL
Relocated 36-inch cast iron pipe at Reading, Pa.
SALVAGED AND RE-USED
7 m i l e s o f C a s t I r o n P i p e
R E A D I N G , PA. wanted the n e w high
w a y even if it m e a n t abandoning a seven-mile-long water m a i n which had to he re-routed. T h e cost of a n e w cast iron line would have been approximately
$350,000.
Fortunately, the original line was cast iron. It could be salvaged and re-used.
It was. Seven miles of 30- to 40-year old cast iron pipe in 24-inch, 30-inch and 36-inch diameters were taken up, recon
ditioned and relocated. T h e taxpay
ers of thrifty Reading were thereby jPipe bearing this mark is cast iron pipe.
saved a large a m o u n t of m o n e y . This is a striking example of the salvage and re-use value of cast iron pipe. B u t there are n u m e r o u s other examples in the files of the Cast Iron Pipe Research Asso
ciation.
It is impossible to foretell future re
qu i r e m e n t s or population shifts in metropolitan cities hut any public official can he sure that, w h e n water or sewer m a i n s m u s t be abandoned or re-routed, the pipe can be salvaged or re-used,
if it is cast iron pipe.
Available in diameters from 1 14 to 84 inches.
&
TRADEMARK REG.
CAST IRON PIPE RESEARCH ASSOCIATION. THOMAS F. WOLFE. RESEARCH ENGINEER 1015 PEOPLES GAS BUILDING. CHICAGO. ILLINOIS
CA ST IR O N P IP E
T H E M O D E R N M A T E R I A L F O R S E W E R A G E S Y S T E M S
S e w a g e W o r k s J o u r n a l Federation of Sewage Works Associations
Lancaster, Pa.
Copyright, 1942, by Federation of Sewage Works Associations
Published by
Vol. X I V M a r c h , 1942 N o . 2
Plant Operation:
Design of Sewage Treatment Plants to Facilitate Operation. By St u a r t E. Co b u r n. Discussion by Morris M. Co h n ... 257 Utilization of Sludge Gas in Moderate Sized Treatment Plants. By Ge o r g e Ma r t i n.
Discussion by Pa u l D. M cNa m e e... ... 265 Operation and Maintenance of Small Pumping Stations. By Gr a n t M. Ol e w i l e r.
Discussion by J. R. Ho f f e r t ... 275 Sewage Disposal Problems at A r m y Camps. ByPa u l Ha n s e n a n d K. V. Hill .... 294 First Tear of Operation of the Gary, Indiana, Sewage Treatment Plant. By W . W.
Ma t h e w s ... 302
N e w Developments in Sewage Disposal in N e w York City. ByRi c h a r d H. Go u l d .. 313 Sewage Research:
A Critical Review of the Literature of 1941 on Sewage and Waste Treatment and Stream Pollution. B y W. Rudolfs, Chairman, T. R. Camp, E. J. Cleary, G. P.
Edwards, R. Eliassen, H. A. Faber, A. J. Fischer, H. W . Gehm, H. Heukele- kian, R. W . Kehr, Ed. W. Moore, L. R. Setter, L. W . YanKleeck, and S. I.
Za c k ... 317 Grit Chamber Design. By Th o m a s R. Ca m p... 368 Industrial Wastes:
Treatment of Distillery Wastes. By Ab r a h a m W a l l a c h a n d Ab e l W o l m a n 382 Steel Mill Wastes and Their Effect on the City of Dunkirk Sewage Treatment Plant.
By A. H. W o e f l e ... 402 Investigations on Treatment and Disposal of Acid Industrial Wastes. By L. S.
Mo r g a n ... 404 T h e Operator’s Corner:
Experience in Sewer Maintenance ... 410 Operators’ Breakfast Discussion at Second Annual Convention ... 427 Wh a t N e w York City Does About Screening Sewage. By W e l l i n g t o n Do n a l d s o n .. 437 Bark from the Daily Log. B y David B a c k m e y e r ... 445 The Gadget Department:
Pressure Differential Alarm. By C. K. Co r n i l s e n ... 449 Va c u u m P u m p Control Switch. By P. L. Br u n n e r a n d J. W . Pa t c h... 450 Orifice Type Portable Air Meter. By W . E. Ro s s ... 453 Interesting Extracts from Operation Reports:
Urbana-Champaign Sanitary District (Year Ended April 30, 1941) ... 454 Buffalo Sewer Authority (1940^1) ... 455
Tips and Quips ... . 459
25»
POLI7ECHNIKI
E d ito rial :
Ne ws Notes ... 462
Proceedings of Lo ca l Associations: Pennsylvania Sewage Works Association ... California Sewage Works Association ... Georgia Water and Sewage Works Association... Iowa Wastes Disposal Association ... ^ 3
N e w York State Sewage Works Association... Local Association Meetings in 1942 ... ... Reviews and Abstracts: Wain Sewage Works, Borough of Slough. By M. A. Ke r s h a w... 478
Description of the Strongford and Hanley Sewage Works. By W . H. E. M a k e p e a c e 480 Determination of Grease in Sewage, Sludge and Industrial Wastes. By Ri c h a r d Po me ro y a n d C. M. W a k e m a n ... 482
Sewage Disposal and Drainage in W a r T i m e ... 483
Sewage Works Operation in W a r T i m e ...484
Some Investigations Into the Digestion and Drying of H u m u s and Activated Sludges. By C. Lc m b ... 484
The Mechanical Flocculation of Sewage. By J. Hu r l e y ... 485
Garbage Grinding at Goshen. By He n r y W . Ta y l o r ... 485
Sludge Gas for Motor F u e l ...487
References to Sewage Literature ... 488
Federation of Sewage W o r k s Associations ... 493
M e mbers of Federation and Subscribers to the Journal ... 498
Associate Members, 1941 .... 552
Non-Association Subscribers to Sewage W o r k s Journal in the United States as of December 31, 1941 ... 553
Federation of Sewage W o r k s Associations Alphabetical List of M e m b e r s ... 562
2 5 6 SEWAGE WOEES JOURNAL March, 194'
P l a n t O p e r a t i o n
D ESIG N OF S E W A G E T R E A T M E N T PLA N T S TO F A C IL IT A T E O P E R A T IO N *
B y St u a r t E . C o b u r n
Chief Chemist, Metcalf and Eddy, Boston, Mass.
M o r e t h a n twenty-five years of experience w i t h the operation of plants for t he t r e a t m e n t of s e w a g e a n d industrial w a s t e s has, naturally, resulted in the e s t ablishment in the a u t h o r ’s m i n d of certain ideas as to the design of s u c h plants, n o t as regards structural features b u t in the m a t t e r of operating ease a n d the e c o n o m i c a l a c c o m p l i s h m e n t of as u n i f o r m l y satisfactory purification as possible.
T o o often b o t h designer a n d operator forget that the objective to b e o b t a i n e d b y operation of a s e w a g e plant is the r e m o v a l of impurities at t h e least cost consistent w i t h securing the requisite degree of treatment.
T o o often the designer h o p e s to gain f a m e for himself b y be i n g the first to a d o p t s o m e n e w device or process irrespective of the lack of d e m o n strated value u n d e r plant-scale conditions. T o o often the operator h o p e s to discover n e w principles b y r u n n i n g his plant as a n e x p e r i m e n t a l station. If designer a n d operator will consult o n e w i t h the other a n d c o operate in cautious progress, i m p r o v e m e n t s in plant design a n d the a d a p t a tion of n e w k n o w l e d g e thereto c a n b e b r o u g h t a b o u t w i t h o u t v e n t u r i n g too far u p o n untried, u n c h a r t e d courses w h i c h m a y lead to disaster.
G e n e r a l C o n s i d e r a t i o n s
Obviously, the first m a t t e r to b e d e cided w h e n a n engineer is faced w i t h the p r o b l e m of design of a t r e a t m e n t plant is the degree of t r e a t m e n t required for the particular conditions involved. T h e engineer sh o u l d h a v e available, or s h o u l d secure, i n f o r mation b a s e d u p o n a t h o r o u g h investigation of the receiving b o d y of water. T h i s in f o r m a t i o n s h o u l d c over n o t on l y s t r e a m flow b u t also the use of w a t e r b y l ower riparian o w n e r s a n d the capacity of the s t r e a m for t aking care of pollutional loads.
T h e engineer s h o u l d d e t e r m i n e the r e q u i r e m e n t s of the State or Federal authorities in regard to that particular b o d y of water. H e s h o u l d d e t e r m i n e also, w ithin reasonable limits, the q u a n t i t y a n d quality of s e w a g e in the municipality a n d the p r o b a b l e effect of industrial w a s t e s u p o n treat
m e n t processes. T o o m a n y t i m e s this basic in f o r m a t i o n h a s n o t b e e n secured, w i t h u n f o r t u n a t e s u b s e q u e n t results.
W i t h the t y p e of t r e a t m e n t d etermined, the n e x t decision m u s t b e the location of the plant. T h e site s h o u l d b e c h o s e n as far a w a y as p o s
* Presented a t the Second Annual Convention of the Federation of Sewage Works Assns., New York City, Oct. 9, 1941.
257
258 S E W A G E W O R K S J O U R N A L March, 1942
sible f r o m thickly p o p u l a t e d districts a n d t h e l a n d t a k e n s h o u l d b e o sufficient a r e a to a l l o w for r e a s o n a b l e isolation a n d f u t u r e e n l a r g e m e n s.
A l t h o u g h a m p l e l a n d s h o u l d b e ac qu ir ed , it d o e s n o t necessarily fo ll ow t h a t all of this l a n d s h o u l d b e d e v e l o p e d as a p a r k a r e a a n d beautifully l a n d s c a p e d . It costs m o n e y to k e e p l a w n s c u t a n d w a t e r e d , h e d g e s a n d s h r u b s t r i m m e d , a n d flower b e d s w e e d e d . A n a n e m i c l a w n or m a n g y s h r u b b e r y defeats t h e p u r p o s e of l a n d s c a p i n g . A r e a s o n a b l e d e g r e e of beautification a r o u n d t r e a t m e n t pl a n t s is h i g h l y desirable b u t it s h o u l d a l w a y s b e r e m e m b e r e d t h a t s e w a g e is a dirty m a t e r i a l a n d t h a t s e w a g e t r e a t m e n t p l a n t s are n o t rose g a r d e n s .
T h r e e M a j o r E s s e n t i a l s o f D e s i g n
B e f o r e t a k i n g u p t h e details of design, t h e a u t h o r w i s h e s to discuss three m a j o r essentials of d e s i g n w h i c h m a k e for p e a c e of m i n d for t h e operator.
T h e s e three essentials a r e : simplicity, flexibility a n d c o n v e n i e n c e .
S i m p l i c i t y.— It is a far c r y f r o m t h e s i m p l e i n t e r m i t t e n t s a n d filters of t h e latter p a r t of t h e 1 9 t h c e n t u r y to t h e a c t i v a t e d s l u d g e p l a n t s of th e p r e s e n t d a y . Y e t th es e s a n d filters t u r n e d o u t a n d ar e t u r n i n g o u t just as g o o d , if n o t better, effluents t h a n t h e c o m p l i c a t e d p l a n t s of m o d e r n times. O f course, t h es e c o m p l i c a t e d p l a n t s of t o d a y m a k e possible t h e t r e a t m e n t of t h e s e w a g e of cities like N e w Y o r k a n d C h i c a g o , a n u n d e r t a k i n g im p o s s i b l e w i t h s a n d filters. O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , t h e r e is s e l d o m s o u n d r e a s o n for d e s i g n i n g a c t i v a t e d s l u d g e p l a n t s for s m a l l municipalities.
T h e d e g r e e of c o m p l e x i t y of d e s i g n is d e p e n d e n t in c o n s i d e r a b l e m e a s u r e u p o n t h e size of t h e t o w n for w h i c h t r e a t m e n t is to b e p r o v i d e d . T h e s m a l l t o w n ordinarily c a n n o t afford to p a y p r o p e r c o m p e n s a t i o n for t h e h i g h l y skilled o p e r a t o r s r e q u i r e d for c o m p l i c a t e d plants. E v e n in t h e case of t h e larger municipalities, c o m p l i c a t i o n s of d e s i g n s h o u l d b e a v o i d e d unless there are g r o u n d s for believing s u c h c o m p l i c a t i o n s will increase efficiency or d e c r e a s e o p e r a t i n g costs.
I n cr e a s e in c o m p l e x i t y a l m o s t in v a r i a b l y increases t h e n u m b e r of p o ints at w h i c h tr ou bl e m a y occur. S m a l l pl a n t s u s u a l l y ar e w i t h o u t t h e n e c e s s a r y staff, either as r e g a r d s n u m b e r or as r e g a r d s qualifications, to locate t h e c a us es of all troubles or to correct t h e m w h e n discovered.
E v e n w i t h large plants, t h e f e w e r compli ca ti on s, t h e f e w e r t h e h e a d a c h e s for t h e operators. T o o m a n y b u t t o n s to p u s h m a y spoil t h e s e w a g e .
F l e x i b i l i t y.— T h e s e c o n d r e q u i r e m e n t , flexibility, m a y result in t h e designer h a v i n g to c o m p r o m i s e s o m e w h a t w i t h t h e desirability of s i m plicity. H o w e v e r , w h e n flexibility is p r o v i d e d , it m u s t b e d o n e w i t h as m u c h simplicity as possible. W i t h t h e s i m p l e t r e a t m e n t p r oc es se s s u c h as i n te rm it te nt s a n d filtration, there isn’t m u c h o p p o r t u n i t y or n e e d for m o r e flexibility t h a n is in h e r e n t in t h e process; but, w i t h t h e m o r e e l a b orate processes, s u c h as ac ti va te d sludge, it is h i g h l y desirable t h a t c o n siderable flexibility b e p r ov id ed .
W e l l - k n o w n e x a m p l e s are t h e desirability of va r i a b l e rates of air application a n d rates of r e t u r n sludge, a n d p r ov is io ns for m o r e t h a n o n e p o i n t to w h i c h w a s t e s l ud ge m a y b e discharged. I n s e p a r a t e s l u d g e di ge s
tion it is well w o r t h w h i l e to b e able to v a r y t h e r o u t i n g of r a w , p a r t l y
Vol. 14, No. 2 D E S I G N O F S E W A G E T R E A T M E N T P L A N T S 259
digested, a n d digested sludge. T h e b y p a s s i n g of certain units a n d varia
tion of loading m a y b e called for in s o m e plants.
D u p l i c a t e units, as in m e c h a n i c a l devices for the screening of r a w s e w a g e a n d alternate n o n - m e c h a n i c a l devices, are frequently of value.
W i t h the high-rate trickling filters, e m p l o y i n g recirculation, flexibility is of course absolutely necessary. Du p l i c a t i o n of essential units, s u c h as sludge p u m p s , air compressors, sludge b e d s a n d the like, all a d d to the flexibility of operation. D u p l i c a t i o n of units, or alternate m e t h o d s for a c c o m p l i s h i n g the s a m e results, are particularly essential w h e r e m e c h a n i c a l units, subject to b r e a k d o w n , are involved.
C o n v e n i e n c e .— Possibly the o n e thing the operator appreciates m o r e t h a n a n y t h i n g else is the ease a n d c o n v e n i e n c e of operation u n d e r all conditions of w e a t h e r a n d climate, c o n v e n i e n c e for routine duties a n d c o n v e n i e n c e for m a k i n g repairs or for special non-routine duties. V a l v e s m u s t b e accessible a n d e a s y to operate. B i g valves in big plants sh o u l d b e m o t o r operated. M e c h a n i c a l e q u i p m e n t , s u c h as p u m p s , screens, heating devices a n d the like, m u s t b e readily accessible for repair a n d o v e r hauling. Points of lubrication m u s t b e e a s y to get at. Lights s h o u l d b e p r o v i d e d at all i m p o r t a n t locations. T r e a t m e n t plants as a w h o l e m u s t b e as c o m p a c t as site conditions will permit. U n n e c e s s a r y space b e t w e e n units s h o u l d b e avoided. I n large plants the h o u s i n g of e q u i p m e n t , valves, etc. requiring m u c h attention or manipulation, protects the operator f r o m i n c l e m e n t w e a t h e r a n d m a k e s for efficiency.
M i n o r Fe a t u r e s o f D e s i g n
In general, t r e a t m e n t plant designers a d e q u a t e l y h a n d l e the basic principles a n d capacity allowances. M o s t designers try to foresee op e r a t ing difficulties a n d to p r o v i d e against s u c h difficulties. T o o often, h o w ever, designers forget that s e w a g e is n o t a simple fluid like w a t e r subject o n l y to hydraulic laws. S e w a g e is a c o m p l e x , unstable material, variable as regards c o m p o s i t i o n a n d quantity. S e w a g e carries m a n y substances a n d materials w h i c h are likely to cause trouble w i t h m e c h a n i c a l devices a n d w h i c h are difficult to deal w i t h either biologically or physically.
T h e hydraulic engineer c a n estimate sludge friction b u t h e c a n n o t foretell w h e n a piece of burlap, a n old s h o e or a t w o - b y - f o u r is g o i n g to get stuck at a n e l b o w in a sludge pipe.
T h e designer s h o u l d listen to the operator if h e w o u l d learn s o m e of the m a n y vagaries to w h i c h s e w a g e is subject; the u n e x p e c t e d things that h a p p e n , a n d the f r e q u e n c y w i t h w h i c h a t r e a t m e n t plant fails to b e h a v e this y e a r the w a y it did last. A b o v e all, the designer s h o u l d a v o i d a c cepting laboratory e x p e r i m e n t s a n d short t i m e test r u n s as s h o w i n g the w h o l e truth w i t h respect to n e w processes of treatment, or to n e w m e t h o d s for control of old processes. Biological m e t h o d s are readily susceptible to c h a n g e s in climate a n d season, a n d to various other e n v i r o n m e n t a l factors. C h e m i c a l processes are susceptible to c h a n g e s in s e w a g e c o m position a n d m e c h a n i c a l devices are affected b y the character a n d q u a n t i t y of trash a n d grit.
O f late years there h a s b e e n a m a r k e d tr e n d t o w a r d s the m e c h a n i z a t i o n
260 SEWAGE WORKS JOURNAL March, 1942
of s e w a g e plants w i t h the v i e w to m a k i n g t h e m cleaner a n d less laborious to operate. S o m e t i m e s this m e a n s the substitution of o n e f o r m of labor for another. M e c h a n i c a l devices m u s t b e lubricated a n d m a i n t a i n e d . P a r t s w e a r o u t a n d h a v e to b e replaced, a n d accidents a n d b r e a k a g e s occur. P o w e r for operation m u s t b e available a n d th e possibility ^ of p o w e r failure involves provision for a duplicate source of p o w e r . W i t h small plants there is s o m e q u e stion as to w h e t h e r the e x t r e m e of m e c h a n i z a tion is w o r t h w h a t it costs. I n large plants m e c h a n i z a t i o n is inevitable a n d valuable.
R e f e r e n c e h a s b e e n m a d e to the c o m p l e x character of s e w a g e . A m o n g t he m i n o r p r o b l e m s i n v o l v e d in its t r e a t m e n t is t h e h a n d l i n g of screenings, grit a n d s k i m m i n g s . C o m p a r e d w i t h th e w h o l e flow of s e w a g e , these s u b s tances are small in v o l u m e b u t big in n u i s a n c e value. T h e h a n d l i n g of these substa n c e s is a m o n g the m o s t v e x i n g of t r e a t m e n t pl a n t o p e r ators’
troubles. T h e grinding of screenings a n d their t r e a t m e n t w i t h th e s e w a g e h a v e b e e n a big a d v a n c e in the p a s t f e w years. Grit is still s o m e t h i n g of a p r o b l e m in spite of efforts to r e n d e r it relatively unobjectionable.
S k i m m i n g s are a n o t h e r source of difficulty a n d their r e m o v a l f r o m settling t a n k s a n d ultimate disposal r e m a i n in a n o t w h o l l y satisfactory state.
I n the design of settling t a n k s it s e e m s to t h e o p e r a t o r t h a t i m p r o v e m e n t s m a y b e m a d e in inlets a n d outlets. O n e difficulty in this c o n n e c tion lies in the n o n - h o m o g e n e o u s character of s e w a g e . T h i s n o n - u n i f o r m i t y renders it h a r d to determine, either b y c o m p u t a t i o n or b y h y draulic experiments, the best a r r a n g e m e n t s . T h e s u s p e n d e d m a t t e r in s e w a g e varies in specific gravity, size of particles, q u a n t i t y a n d quality.
It varies w i t h s e w a g e s f r o m different cities a n d w i t h s e w a g e f r o m t h e s a m e city. E d d y currents a n d short-circuiting bring a b o u t u n e x p e c t e d results.
T h e solids c o m i n g into a p r i m a r y settling t a n k are quite different f r o m those entering a final tank. M u l t i p l e outlet weirs a p p e a r desirable b u t a n e x a m p l e of blind c o p y i n g of a n outlet design is. t h e u s e of s a w - t o o t h outlet weirs s u c h as u s e d b y I m h o f f w h e r e h e w i s h e d to offset t h e settling of t a n k s located o v e r coal m i n e s in t h e R u h r district.
I n m e c h a n i c a l l y cleaned settling t a n k s the p r e v e n t i o n of deposits of septic sludge is i m p o r t a n t a n d m e a n s to p r e v e n t t h e h a n g i n g - u p of d e posits of sludge u p o n the slopes of sludge h o p p e r s is i m p o r t a n t . Pipes t h r o u g h w h i c h sludge, particularly r a w sludge, is to b e c o n v e y e d s h o u l d b e of a m p l e size a n d of the shortest possible length f r o m po i n t of e n t r y to point of discharge. Straight r u n s are m o s t desirable but, w h e r e turns m u s t b e m a d e , t h e y s h o u l d b e m a d e t h r o u g h p l u g g e d tees to p e r m i t r o d d i n g or flushing if clogging occurs.
I n the distribution of s e w a g e u p o n filters there is n o t m u c h r o o m for i m p r o v e m e n t . Distribution for s a n d filters a n d s ludge b e d s s h o u l d b e a r r a n g e d to p r e v e n t w a s h i n g - o u t of s a n d at points of discharge. I n the case of trickling filters, the t e n d e n c y t o d a y is t o w a r d s the u s e of traveling distributors. T h e s e h a v e the a d v a n t a g e of p e r m i t t i n g d o s i n g the entire b e d area w i t h a h i g h degree of uniformity. T h e y are m e c h a n i c a l devices w i t h m o v i n g parts a n d their nozzles are subject to clogging. T h e fixed nozzle t y p e of distributor, w i t h a u t o m a t i c inflow control, h a s b e e n satis
