Data Driven Interceptor Cleaning

A dissolved sulfide prediction model was created for an existing separated sewer interceptor system. Field testing allowed comparison of the model predictions to actual field values. A significant correlation was found between model predictions and field measured sulfides with the model generally under predicting field measurements. This under prediction increased as the flow shear stress decreased.A low estimate of the effective sulfide flux coefficient is the concluded cause of the general under prediction. Sediment depositions are the concluded cause of the sulfide under prediction relative to lower shear stresses. Available literature suggests a link between debris buildups and sulfide production. However, the literature is not clear why debris buildups cause an increase in sulfide.Two causes for increased sulfide levels at sediment depositions were examined and both were found to be significant. These causes are an increased sulfide flux from the biofilm on sediment deposits and the hydraulic impacts of depositions resulting in more biofilm area.