THE INVESTIGATION OF DENSITY CURRENTS AND RATE OF OUTFLOW FROM A SEPTIC TANK

Abstract

The aim of the study was to verify the possibility of the existence of preferential flow paths in a septic tank and the effect of using various types of inlet and outlet in this context. Two of the most unfavourable variants of privileged flow paths for different types of inlet and outlet were analysed. The first variant was related to the occurrence of the privileged flow path below the water surface level directly to the outlet and the second variant – to the so-called boiling phenomenon in a septic tank. During the study, the intensity of outflow from the septic tank was measured. The time between successive doses also was measured. These studies were carried out using several inlet and outlet structures combinations. It was observed that by introducing a suitable outlet it is possible to limit and in the case of the particular type of filtering basket – to eliminate the unwanted phenomenon of preferential flow paths after hot water introduction. The phenomenon of boiling in the septic tank may occur due to the introduction of wastewater of higher density containing a higher concentration of the suspension. The effect of cooler water introduction on this phenomenon was not observed. The limitation of the maximum intensity of outflow from the septic tank can be achieved by filtering basket using at the outlet, which increases the flow resistance thanks to the low porosity.