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Air Stripping

Environmental Engineering · FE Reference Handbook section

Environmental Engineering
29 formulas
10 exam-style examples
~60 min
All Environmental Engineering lectures

Handbook notes for this section

Definitions and conditions exactly as the handbook states them.

  • WATER INLET AIR OUTLETS

Core formulas for this FE topic

Definitions, applicability, units, assumptions and worked examples for each relation.

Worked exam-style examples

The four ways this section is written on the real exam — thoughts first, then equations, then substitution.

Example 1
Air Stripping — solve for stripping factor — Air Stripping

air stripping tower stripping factor for VOC removal from groundwater Given dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.1110; air flow rate (Q_a) = 1,600 m^3/day; water flow rate (Q_w) = 3,160 m^3/day, determine the stripping factor (R).

Given

  • dimensionlessHenry′sconstant(H)=0.1110dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.1110
  • airflowrate(Qa)=1,600m3/dayair flow rate (Q_a) = 1,600 m^3/day
  • waterflowrate(Qw)=3,160m3/daywater flow rate (Q_w) = 3,160 m^3/day

Find

stripping factor (R)

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Air Stripping.
  • Everything except R is given, so isolate R symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Air stripping removes volatile contaminants from water by contacting it with air, characterized by the stripping factor.
air stripping tower

Figure 1 — schematic for Air Stripping — solve for stripping factor — Air Stripping

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    R=HQaQwR = \dfrac{H Q_a}{Q_w}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for R:

    R=HQaQwR = \dfrac{HQ_a}{Q_w}
  3. Step 3 — List the givens: dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.1110, air flow rate (Q_a) = 1,600 m^3/day, water flow rate (Q_w) = 3,160 m^3/day.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    R=HQaQwR = \dfrac{HQ_a}{Q_w}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    R=0.0562R = 0.0562
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning R = 0.0562 to

    R=HQaQwR = \dfrac{H Q_a}{Q_w}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
R=0.0562R = 0.0562

Why the other options are there

  • 0.1124 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.0281 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 0.0618 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Air Stripping

Example 2
Air Stripping — solve for air flow rate — Air Stripping (2)

air stripping design for removing volatile organics from drinking water Given dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.7380; water flow rate (Q_w) = 12,930 m^3/day; stripping factor (R) = 9.0700, determine the air flow rate (Q_a) in m^3/day.

Given

  • dimensionlessHenry′sconstant(H)=0.7380dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.7380
  • waterflowrate(Qw)=12,930m3/daywater flow rate (Q_w) = 12,930 m^3/day
  • strippingfactor(R)=9.0700stripping factor (R) = 9.0700

Find

air flow rate (Q_a), in m^3/day

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Air Stripping.
  • Everything except Q_a is given, so isolate Q_a symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Air stripping removes volatile contaminants from water by contacting it with air, characterized by the stripping factor.
air stripping tower

Figure 2 — schematic for Air Stripping — solve for air flow rate — Air Stripping (2)

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    R=HQaQwR = \dfrac{H Q_a}{Q_w}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for Q_a:

    Qa=RQwHQ_{a} = \dfrac{RQ_w}{H}
  3. Step 3 — List the givens: dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.7380, water flow rate (Q_w) = 12,930 m^3/day, stripping factor (R) = 9.0700.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    Qa=RQw0.7380Q_{a} = \dfrac{RQ_w}{0.7380}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Q_{a} = 158909\ \text{m^3/day}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning Q_a = 158,909 m^3/day to

    R=HQaQwR = \dfrac{H Q_a}{Q_w}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
Q_{a} = 158909\ \text{m^3/day}

Why the other options are there

  • 317,819 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 79,455 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 174,800 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Air Stripping

Example 3
Air Stripping — solve for water flow rate — Air Stripping (3)

air stripping stripping factor computed from air-to-water ratio Given dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.4350; air flow rate (Q_a) = 56,400 m^3/day; stripping factor (R) = 12.0400, determine the water flow rate (Q_w) in m^3/day.

Given

  • dimensionlessHenry′sconstant(H)=0.4350dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.4350
  • airflowrate(Qa)=56,400m3/dayair flow rate (Q_a) = 56,400 m^3/day
  • strippingfactor(R)=12.0400stripping factor (R) = 12.0400

Find

water flow rate (Q_w), in m^3/day

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Air Stripping.
  • Everything except Q_w is given, so isolate Q_w symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Air stripping removes volatile contaminants from water by contacting it with air, characterized by the stripping factor.
air stripping tower

Figure 3 — schematic for Air Stripping — solve for water flow rate — Air Stripping (3)

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    R=HQaQwR = \dfrac{H Q_a}{Q_w}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for Q_w:

    Qw=HQaRQ_{w} = \dfrac{HQ_a}{R}
  3. Step 3 — List the givens: dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.4350, air flow rate (Q_a) = 56,400 m^3/day, stripping factor (R) = 12.0400.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    Qw=HQa12.0400Q_{w} = \dfrac{HQ_a}{12.0400}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Q_{w} = 2038\ \text{m^3/day}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning Q_w = 2,038 m^3/day to

    R=HQaQwR = \dfrac{H Q_a}{Q_w}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
Q_{w} = 2038\ \text{m^3/day}

Why the other options are there

  • 4,075 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 1,019 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 2,241 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Air Stripping

Example 4
Air Stripping — solve for stripping factor (case 2) — Air Stripping (4)

air stripping tower stripping factor for VOC removal from groundwater Given dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.4160; air flow rate (Q_a) = 2,700 m^3/day; water flow rate (Q_w) = 1,210 m^3/day, determine the stripping factor (R).

Given

  • dimensionlessHenry′sconstant(H)=0.4160dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.4160
  • airflowrate(Qa)=2,700m3/dayair flow rate (Q_a) = 2,700 m^3/day
  • waterflowrate(Qw)=1,210m3/daywater flow rate (Q_w) = 1,210 m^3/day

Find

stripping factor (R)

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Air Stripping.
  • Everything except R is given, so isolate R symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Air stripping removes volatile contaminants from water by contacting it with air, characterized by the stripping factor.
air stripping tower

Figure 4 — schematic for Air Stripping — solve for stripping factor (case 2) — Air Stripping (4)

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    R=HQaQwR = \dfrac{H Q_a}{Q_w}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for R:

    R=HQaQwR = \dfrac{HQ_a}{Q_w}
  3. Step 3 — List the givens: dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.4160, air flow rate (Q_a) = 2,700 m^3/day, water flow rate (Q_w) = 1,210 m^3/day.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    R=HQaQwR = \dfrac{HQ_a}{Q_w}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    R=0.9283R = 0.9283
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning R = 0.9283 to

    R=HQaQwR = \dfrac{H Q_a}{Q_w}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
R=0.9283R = 0.9283

Why the other options are there

  • 1.8565 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.4641 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 1.0211 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Air Stripping

Example 5
Air Stripping — solve for air flow rate (case 2) — Air Stripping (5)

air stripping design for removing volatile organics from drinking water Given dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.5260; water flow rate (Q_w) = 6,070 m^3/day; stripping factor (R) = 11.7900, determine the air flow rate (Q_a) in m^3/day.

Given

  • dimensionlessHenry′sconstant(H)=0.5260dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.5260
  • waterflowrate(Qw)=6,070m3/daywater flow rate (Q_w) = 6,070 m^3/day
  • strippingfactor(R)=11.7900stripping factor (R) = 11.7900

Find

air flow rate (Q_a), in m^3/day

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Air Stripping.
  • Everything except Q_a is given, so isolate Q_a symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Air stripping removes volatile contaminants from water by contacting it with air, characterized by the stripping factor.
air stripping tower

Figure 5 — schematic for Air Stripping — solve for air flow rate (case 2) — Air Stripping (5)

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    R=HQaQwR = \dfrac{H Q_a}{Q_w}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for Q_a:

    Qa=RQwHQ_{a} = \dfrac{RQ_w}{H}
  3. Step 3 — List the givens: dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.5260, water flow rate (Q_w) = 6,070 m^3/day, stripping factor (R) = 11.7900.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    Qa=RQw0.5260Q_{a} = \dfrac{RQ_w}{0.5260}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Q_{a} = 136056\ \text{m^3/day}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning Q_a = 136,056 m^3/day to

    R=HQaQwR = \dfrac{H Q_a}{Q_w}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
Q_{a} = 136056\ \text{m^3/day}

Why the other options are there

  • 272,111 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 68,028 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 149,661 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Air Stripping

Example 6
Air Stripping — solve for water flow rate (case 2) — Air Stripping (6)

air stripping stripping factor computed from air-to-water ratio Given dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.8240; air flow rate (Q_a) = 34,200 m^3/day; stripping factor (R) = 9.0400, determine the water flow rate (Q_w) in m^3/day.

Given

  • dimensionlessHenry′sconstant(H)=0.8240dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.8240
  • airflowrate(Qa)=34,200m3/dayair flow rate (Q_a) = 34,200 m^3/day
  • strippingfactor(R)=9.0400stripping factor (R) = 9.0400

Find

water flow rate (Q_w), in m^3/day

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Air Stripping.
  • Everything except Q_w is given, so isolate Q_w symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Air stripping removes volatile contaminants from water by contacting it with air, characterized by the stripping factor.
air stripping tower

Figure 6 — schematic for Air Stripping — solve for water flow rate (case 2) — Air Stripping (6)

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    R=HQaQwR = \dfrac{H Q_a}{Q_w}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for Q_w:

    Qw=HQaRQ_{w} = \dfrac{HQ_a}{R}
  3. Step 3 — List the givens: dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.8240, air flow rate (Q_a) = 34,200 m^3/day, stripping factor (R) = 9.0400.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    Qw=HQa9.0400Q_{w} = \dfrac{HQ_a}{9.0400}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Q_{w} = 3117\ \text{m^3/day}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning Q_w = 3,117 m^3/day to

    R=HQaQwR = \dfrac{H Q_a}{Q_w}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
Q_{w} = 3117\ \text{m^3/day}

Why the other options are there

  • 6,235 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 1,559 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 3,429 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Air Stripping

Example 7
Air Stripping — solve for stripping factor (case 3) — Air Stripping (7)

air stripping tower stripping factor for VOC removal from groundwater Given dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.1230; air flow rate (Q_a) = 53,400 m^3/day; water flow rate (Q_w) = 17,520 m^3/day, determine the stripping factor (R).

Given

  • dimensionlessHenry′sconstant(H)=0.1230dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.1230
  • airflowrate(Qa)=53,400m3/dayair flow rate (Q_a) = 53,400 m^3/day
  • waterflowrate(Qw)=17,520m3/daywater flow rate (Q_w) = 17,520 m^3/day

Find

stripping factor (R)

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Air Stripping.
  • Everything except R is given, so isolate R symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Air stripping removes volatile contaminants from water by contacting it with air, characterized by the stripping factor.
air stripping tower

Figure 7 — schematic for Air Stripping — solve for stripping factor (case 3) — Air Stripping (7)

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    R=HQaQwR = \dfrac{H Q_a}{Q_w}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for R:

    R=HQaQwR = \dfrac{HQ_a}{Q_w}
  3. Step 3 — List the givens: dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.1230, air flow rate (Q_a) = 53,400 m^3/day, water flow rate (Q_w) = 17,520 m^3/day.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    R=HQaQwR = \dfrac{HQ_a}{Q_w}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    R=0.3749R = 0.3749
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning R = 0.3749 to

    R=HQaQwR = \dfrac{H Q_a}{Q_w}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
R=0.3749R = 0.3749

Why the other options are there

  • 0.7498 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.1874 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 0.4124 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Air Stripping

Example 8
Air Stripping — solve for air flow rate (case 3) — Air Stripping (8)

air stripping design for removing volatile organics from drinking water Given dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.3610; water flow rate (Q_w) = 11,660 m^3/day; stripping factor (R) = 1.1100, determine the air flow rate (Q_a) in m^3/day.

Given

  • dimensionlessHenry′sconstant(H)=0.3610dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.3610
  • waterflowrate(Qw)=11,660m3/daywater flow rate (Q_w) = 11,660 m^3/day
  • strippingfactor(R)=1.1100stripping factor (R) = 1.1100

Find

air flow rate (Q_a), in m^3/day

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Air Stripping.
  • Everything except Q_a is given, so isolate Q_a symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Air stripping removes volatile contaminants from water by contacting it with air, characterized by the stripping factor.
air stripping tower

Figure 8 — schematic for Air Stripping — solve for air flow rate (case 3) — Air Stripping (8)

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    R=HQaQwR = \dfrac{H Q_a}{Q_w}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for Q_a:

    Qa=RQwHQ_{a} = \dfrac{RQ_w}{H}
  3. Step 3 — List the givens: dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.3610, water flow rate (Q_w) = 11,660 m^3/day, stripping factor (R) = 1.1100.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    Qa=RQw0.3610Q_{a} = \dfrac{RQ_w}{0.3610}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Q_{a} = 35852\ \text{m^3/day}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning Q_a = 35,852 m^3/day to

    R=HQaQwR = \dfrac{H Q_a}{Q_w}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
Q_{a} = 35852\ \text{m^3/day}

Why the other options are there

  • 71,704 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 17,926 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 39,437 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Air Stripping

Example 9
Air Stripping — solve for water flow rate (case 3) — Air Stripping (9)

air stripping stripping factor computed from air-to-water ratio Given dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.2950; air flow rate (Q_a) = 28,700 m^3/day; stripping factor (R) = 17.5700, determine the water flow rate (Q_w) in m^3/day.

Given

  • dimensionlessHenry′sconstant(H)=0.2950dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.2950
  • airflowrate(Qa)=28,700m3/dayair flow rate (Q_a) = 28,700 m^3/day
  • strippingfactor(R)=17.5700stripping factor (R) = 17.5700

Find

water flow rate (Q_w), in m^3/day

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Air Stripping.
  • Everything except Q_w is given, so isolate Q_w symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Air stripping removes volatile contaminants from water by contacting it with air, characterized by the stripping factor.
air stripping tower

Figure 9 — schematic for Air Stripping — solve for water flow rate (case 3) — Air Stripping (9)

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    R=HQaQwR = \dfrac{H Q_a}{Q_w}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for Q_w:

    Qw=HQaRQ_{w} = \dfrac{HQ_a}{R}
  3. Step 3 — List the givens: dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.2950, air flow rate (Q_a) = 28,700 m^3/day, stripping factor (R) = 17.5700.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    Qw=HQa17.5700Q_{w} = \dfrac{HQ_a}{17.5700}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Q_{w} = 481.9\ \text{m^3/day}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning Q_w = 481.9 m^3/day to

    R=HQaQwR = \dfrac{H Q_a}{Q_w}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
Q_{w} = 481.9\ \text{m^3/day}

Why the other options are there

  • 963.7 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 240.9 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 530.1 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Air Stripping

Example 10
Air Stripping — solve for stripping factor (case 4) — Air Stripping (10)

air stripping tower stripping factor for VOC removal from groundwater Given dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.6310; air flow rate (Q_a) = 46,900 m^3/day; water flow rate (Q_w) = 17,400 m^3/day, determine the stripping factor (R).

Given

  • dimensionlessHenry′sconstant(H)=0.6310dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.6310
  • airflowrate(Qa)=46,900m3/dayair flow rate (Q_a) = 46,900 m^3/day
  • waterflowrate(Qw)=17,400m3/daywater flow rate (Q_w) = 17,400 m^3/day

Find

stripping factor (R)

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Air Stripping.
  • Everything except R is given, so isolate R symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Air stripping removes volatile contaminants from water by contacting it with air, characterized by the stripping factor.
air stripping tower

Figure 10 — schematic for Air Stripping — solve for stripping factor (case 4) — Air Stripping (10)

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    R=HQaQwR = \dfrac{H Q_a}{Q_w}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for R:

    R=HQaQwR = \dfrac{HQ_a}{Q_w}
  3. Step 3 — List the givens: dimensionless Henry's constant (H) = 0.6310, air flow rate (Q_a) = 46,900 m^3/day, water flow rate (Q_w) = 17,400 m^3/day.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    R=HQaQwR = \dfrac{HQ_a}{Q_w}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    R=1.7008R = 1.7008
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning R = 1.7008 to

    R=HQaQwR = \dfrac{H Q_a}{Q_w}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
R=1.7008R = 1.7008

Why the other options are there

  • 3.4016 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.8504 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 1.8709 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Air Stripping

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