Chemical Feed Rate Calculations

The Table listed below contains convenient factors for use in Equation 1. This equation is used to calculate required
feed rates of chemical solutions or slurries to be added to a known flow rate of water at a desired dosage value. Once
the proper factor has been obtained from the Table, enter it in Equation 1 along with water flow in MGD (millions of
gallons per day)and desired dosage in ppm (parts per million)of chemical as listed in the Table. The answer will be in
GPH (gallons per hour), which can be used to size chemical feed pumps.
Equation 1:
(Factor) (Water Flow in MGD) (Dosage in ppm) = (Chemical Feed Rate in GPH)
Example Calculation:
How much alum solution must be fed to dose 5 MGD to 15 ppm? 88.3% commercial alum solution is to be used.
Factor = 0.0638
(0.0638) (5) (15) = 4.78 GPH of alum solution
When feeding gaseous additives such as chlorine, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, or ammonia, Equation 2 can be used
in a similar manner to the method described above for liquids. The answer has units of lb/d (pounds per day) which can
be used to size gas feeding equipment.
Equation 2:
(8.34) (Water Fbw in MGD) (Dosage in ppm) = (Gas Feed Rate in lb/d)
Example Calculation:
How much chlorine must be fed to treat 8 MGD of water at a dosage of 4 ppm?
(8.34) (8) (4) = 267 lb/d of Cl2

CHEMICAL COMMERCIAL OR DOSAGE UNITS FACTOR

TYPICAL STRENTH
Activated Carbon Slurry 1 lb. per Gallon ppm of Carbon 0.347
Liquid Alum 8.3%Commercial Solution ppm of DryAlum 0.0638
(8.3%A12O3) (17%A12O3)
Lime Slurry 2 lb. per Gallon (as CaO) ppm of CaO 0.173
Lime Slurry 0.93 lb. per Gallon (as CaO) ppm of CaO 0.375
Ferrous Sulfate 0.5 lb. per Gallon ppm of FeSO4 0.87
(80%pure FeS04)
Ferrous Sulfate 0.5 lb. per Gallon ppm of FeS04 1.26
(55%pure FeS04)
Sodium Hypochlorite 15%Commercial Solution ppm of Avail. Cl2 0.278
(12.5%Avail.CI2)
Hydrofluosilicic Acid 30%Commercial Solution ppm of Fluoride Ions 0.136
(30%H2SiF6)
Sodium Hydroxide 50%Commercial Solution ppm of NaOH 0.0542
(50%NaOH)
Sodium Hydroxide 10%NaOH Solution ppm of NaOH 0.373
Sodium Bisulfate 38%Solution ppm NaHSO2 0.0992

* Loses strength with time

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SEP 2015
010.3601.3 -2-