Bed Expansion
Environmental Engineering · FE Reference Handbook section
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.
bed expansion during backwash of a rapid sand filter Given unexpanded bed depth (L) = 0.6800 m; backwash velocity (v_b) = 0.0185 m/s; particle settling velocity (v_s) = 0.0560 m/s, determine the expanded bed depth (L_e) in m.
Given
Find
expanded bed depth (L_e), in m
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Bed Expansion.
- Everything except L_e is given, so isolate L_e 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.
- Bed expansion during filter backwashing relates the expanded bed depth to the backwash and particle settling velocities.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for L_e:
Step 3 — List the givens: unexpanded bed depth (L) = 0.6800 m, backwash velocity (v_b) = 0.0185 m/s, particle settling velocity (v_s) = 0.0560 m/s.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning L_e = 0.5329 m to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 1.0659 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 0.2665 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 0.5862 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Bed Expansion (backwash)
bed expansion percentage calculated from backwash velocity Given backwash velocity (v_b) = 0.0075 m/s; particle settling velocity (v_s) = 0.1020 m/s; expanded bed depth (L_e) = 0.4700 m, determine the unexpanded bed depth (L) in m.
Given
Find
unexpanded bed depth (L), in m
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Bed Expansion.
- Everything except L is given, so isolate L 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.
- Bed expansion during filter backwashing relates the expanded bed depth to the backwash and particle settling velocities.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for L:
Step 3 — List the givens: backwash velocity (v_b) = 0.0075 m/s, particle settling velocity (v_s) = 0.1020 m/s, expanded bed depth (L_e) = 0.4700 m.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning L = 0.8346 m to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 1.6692 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 0.4173 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 0.9181 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Bed Expansion (backwash)
filter bed expansion required to fluidize the media during backwash Given unexpanded bed depth (L) = 0.3300 m; particle settling velocity (v_s) = 0.0430 m/s; expanded bed depth (L_e) = 1.2000 m, determine the backwash velocity (v_b) in m/s.
Given
Find
backwash velocity (v_b), in m/s
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Bed Expansion.
- Everything except v_b is given, so isolate v_b 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.
- Bed expansion during filter backwashing relates the expanded bed depth to the backwash and particle settling velocities.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for v_b:
Step 3 — List the givens: unexpanded bed depth (L) = 0.3300 m, particle settling velocity (v_s) = 0.0430 m/s, expanded bed depth (L_e) = 1.2000 m.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning v_b = 15.2039 m/s to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 30.4079 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 7.6020 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 16.7243 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Bed Expansion (backwash)
bed expansion during backwash of a rapid sand filter Given unexpanded bed depth (L) = 0.3500 m; backwash velocity (v_b) = 0.0190 m/s; particle settling velocity (v_s) = 0.0560 m/s, determine the expanded bed depth (L_e) in m.
Given
Find
expanded bed depth (L_e), in m
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Bed Expansion.
- Everything except L_e is given, so isolate L_e 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.
- Bed expansion during filter backwashing relates the expanded bed depth to the backwash and particle settling velocities.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for L_e:
Step 3 — List the givens: unexpanded bed depth (L) = 0.3500 m, backwash velocity (v_b) = 0.0190 m/s, particle settling velocity (v_s) = 0.0560 m/s.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning L_e = 0.2759 m to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 0.5519 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 0.1380 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 0.3035 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Bed Expansion (backwash)
bed expansion percentage calculated from backwash velocity Given backwash velocity (v_b) = 0.0110 m/s; particle settling velocity (v_s) = 0.1480 m/s; expanded bed depth (L_e) = 1.1500 m, determine the unexpanded bed depth (L) in m.
Given
Find
unexpanded bed depth (L), in m
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Bed Expansion.
- Everything except L is given, so isolate L 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.
- Bed expansion during filter backwashing relates the expanded bed depth to the backwash and particle settling velocities.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for L:
Step 3 — List the givens: backwash velocity (v_b) = 0.0110 m/s, particle settling velocity (v_s) = 0.1480 m/s, expanded bed depth (L_e) = 1.1500 m.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning L = 2.0373 m to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 4.0745 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 1.0186 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 2.2410 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Bed Expansion (backwash)
filter bed expansion required to fluidize the media during backwash Given unexpanded bed depth (L) = 0.5900 m; particle settling velocity (v_s) = 0.1230 m/s; expanded bed depth (L_e) = 1.1700 m, determine the backwash velocity (v_b) in m/s.
Given
Find
backwash velocity (v_b), in m/s
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Bed Expansion.
- Everything except v_b is given, so isolate v_b 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.
- Bed expansion during filter backwashing relates the expanded bed depth to the backwash and particle settling velocities.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for v_b:
Step 3 — List the givens: unexpanded bed depth (L) = 0.5900 m, particle settling velocity (v_s) = 0.1230 m/s, expanded bed depth (L_e) = 1.1700 m.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning v_b = 2.7633 m/s to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 5.5265 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 1.3816 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 3.0396 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Bed Expansion (backwash)
bed expansion during backwash of a rapid sand filter Given unexpanded bed depth (L) = 0.6800 m; backwash velocity (v_b) = 0.0090 m/s; particle settling velocity (v_s) = 0.0410 m/s, determine the expanded bed depth (L_e) in m.
Given
Find
expanded bed depth (L_e), in m
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Bed Expansion.
- Everything except L_e is given, so isolate L_e 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.
- Bed expansion during filter backwashing relates the expanded bed depth to the backwash and particle settling velocities.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for L_e:
Step 3 — List the givens: unexpanded bed depth (L) = 0.6800 m, backwash velocity (v_b) = 0.0090 m/s, particle settling velocity (v_s) = 0.0410 m/s.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning L_e = 0.4871 m to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 0.9742 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 0.2436 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 0.5358 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Bed Expansion (backwash)
bed expansion percentage calculated from backwash velocity Given backwash velocity (v_b) = 0.0165 m/s; particle settling velocity (v_s) = 0.0330 m/s; expanded bed depth (L_e) = 1.5800 m, determine the unexpanded bed depth (L) in m.
Given
Find
unexpanded bed depth (L), in m
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Bed Expansion.
- Everything except L is given, so isolate L 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.
- Bed expansion during filter backwashing relates the expanded bed depth to the backwash and particle settling velocities.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for L:
Step 3 — List the givens: backwash velocity (v_b) = 0.0165 m/s, particle settling velocity (v_s) = 0.0330 m/s, expanded bed depth (L_e) = 1.5800 m.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning L = 1.8403 m to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 3.6806 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 0.9201 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 2.0243 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Bed Expansion (backwash)
filter bed expansion required to fluidize the media during backwash Given unexpanded bed depth (L) = 1.4000 m; particle settling velocity (v_s) = 0.1040 m/s; expanded bed depth (L_e) = 0.8800 m, determine the backwash velocity (v_b) in m/s.
Given
Find
backwash velocity (v_b), in m/s
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Bed Expansion.
- Everything except v_b is given, so isolate v_b 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.
- Bed expansion during filter backwashing relates the expanded bed depth to the backwash and particle settling velocities.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for v_b:
Step 3 — List the givens: unexpanded bed depth (L) = 1.4000 m, particle settling velocity (v_s) = 0.1040 m/s, expanded bed depth (L_e) = 0.8800 m.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning v_b = 0.0126 m/s to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 0.0252 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 0.0063 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 0.0139 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Bed Expansion (backwash)
bed expansion during backwash of a rapid sand filter Given unexpanded bed depth (L) = 1.4000 m; backwash velocity (v_b) = 0.0055 m/s; particle settling velocity (v_s) = 0.0610 m/s, determine the expanded bed depth (L_e) in m.
Given
Find
expanded bed depth (L_e), in m
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Bed Expansion.
- Everything except L_e is given, so isolate L_e 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.
- Bed expansion during filter backwashing relates the expanded bed depth to the backwash and particle settling velocities.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for L_e:
Step 3 — List the givens: unexpanded bed depth (L) = 1.4000 m, backwash velocity (v_b) = 0.0055 m/s, particle settling velocity (v_s) = 0.0610 m/s.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning L_e = 0.8246 m to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 1.6492 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 0.4123 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 0.9070 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Bed Expansion (backwash)