CLARIFIER FIELD TESTING

Clarifier field testing has gained considerable prominence in recent years with the increased demands on process performance. With stringent requirements for reducing effluent solids, secondary clarifiers have been recognized as the linchpin of the process. It is widely agreed that the most dependable method for determining actual clarifier characteristics is to subject full-size clarifiers to field test conditions. These field tests will reveal the real hydraulic characteristics, the actual currents, and the formation and movement of the sludge blankets under the desired flow conditions. This information can then be applied to improving designs and control methods.