Dechlorination of Sulfite Compounds
Environmental Engineering · FE Reference Handbook section
Handbook notes for this section
Definitions and conditions exactly as the handbook states them.
- Reaction between sodium sulfite and free chlorine residual and combined chlorine residual, as represented by monochloramine:
Core formulas for this FE topic
Definitions, applicability, units, assumptions and worked examples for each relation.
This section is conceptual; there are no equations to memorise.
Worked exam-style examples
The four ways this section is written on the real exam — thoughts first, then equations, then substitution.
dechlorination of sulfite compounds prior to effluent discharge Given sulfite dose (SO2:Cl2 ratio basis) (S) = 16.8000 mg/L; flow rate (Q) = 28.1000 MGD, determine the sulfite compound feed rate (dose) in lb/day.
Given
Find
sulfite compound feed rate (dose), in lb/day
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Dechlorination of Sulfite Compounds.
- Everything except dose is given, so isolate dose 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.
- Dechlorination of sulfite compounds neutralizes residual chlorine using a sulfite dose proportional to plant flow rate.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for dose:
Step 3 — List the givens: sulfite dose (SO2:Cl2 ratio basis) (S) = 16.8000 mg/L, flow rate (Q) = 28.1000 MGD.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning dose = 3,937 lb/day to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 7,874 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 1,969 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 4,331 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Dechlorination of Sulfite Compounds
dechlorination using sodium bisulfite feed rate at a treatment plant Given flow rate (Q) = 16.4000 MGD; sulfite compound feed rate (dose) = 7,701 lb/day, determine the sulfite dose (SO2:Cl2 ratio basis) (S) in mg/L.
Given
Find
sulfite dose (SO2:Cl2 ratio basis) (S), in mg/L
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Dechlorination of Sulfite Compounds.
- Everything except S is given, so isolate S 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.
- Dechlorination of sulfite compounds neutralizes residual chlorine using a sulfite dose proportional to plant flow rate.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for S:
Step 3 — List the givens: flow rate (Q) = 16.4000 MGD, sulfite compound feed rate (dose) = 7,701 lb/day.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning S = 56.3037 mg/L to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 112.6 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 28.1519 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 61.9341 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Dechlorination of Sulfite Compounds
dechlorination of sulfite compounds dose calculation for a wastewater plant Given sulfite dose (SO2:Cl2 ratio basis) (S) = 13.3000 mg/L; sulfite compound feed rate (dose) = 3,656 lb/day, determine the flow rate (Q) in MGD.
Given
Find
flow rate (Q), in MGD
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Dechlorination of Sulfite Compounds.
- Everything except Q is given, so isolate Q 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.
- Dechlorination of sulfite compounds neutralizes residual chlorine using a sulfite dose proportional to plant flow rate.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for Q:
Step 3 — List the givens: sulfite dose (SO2:Cl2 ratio basis) (S) = 13.3000 mg/L, sulfite compound feed rate (dose) = 3,656 lb/day.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning Q = 32.9601 MGD to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 65.9202 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 16.4800 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 36.2561 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Dechlorination of Sulfite Compounds
dechlorination of sulfite compounds prior to effluent discharge Given sulfite dose (SO2:Cl2 ratio basis) (S) = 18.3000 mg/L; flow rate (Q) = 9.5000 MGD, determine the sulfite compound feed rate (dose) in lb/day.
Given
Find
sulfite compound feed rate (dose), in lb/day
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Dechlorination of Sulfite Compounds.
- Everything except dose is given, so isolate dose 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.
- Dechlorination of sulfite compounds neutralizes residual chlorine using a sulfite dose proportional to plant flow rate.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for dose:
Step 3 — List the givens: sulfite dose (SO2:Cl2 ratio basis) (S) = 18.3000 mg/L, flow rate (Q) = 9.5000 MGD.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning dose = 1,450 lb/day to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 2,900 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 725.0 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 1,595 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Dechlorination of Sulfite Compounds
dechlorination using sodium bisulfite feed rate at a treatment plant Given flow rate (Q) = 5.5000 MGD; sulfite compound feed rate (dose) = 2,252 lb/day, determine the sulfite dose (SO2:Cl2 ratio basis) (S) in mg/L.
Given
Find
sulfite dose (SO2:Cl2 ratio basis) (S), in mg/L
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Dechlorination of Sulfite Compounds.
- Everything except S is given, so isolate S 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.
- Dechlorination of sulfite compounds neutralizes residual chlorine using a sulfite dose proportional to plant flow rate.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for S:
Step 3 — List the givens: flow rate (Q) = 5.5000 MGD, sulfite compound feed rate (dose) = 2,252 lb/day.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning S = 49.0953 mg/L to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 98.1905 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 24.5476 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 54.0048 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Dechlorination of Sulfite Compounds
dechlorination of sulfite compounds dose calculation for a wastewater plant Given sulfite dose (SO2:Cl2 ratio basis) (S) = 14.2000 mg/L; sulfite compound feed rate (dose) = 7,597 lb/day, determine the flow rate (Q) in MGD.
Given
Find
flow rate (Q), in MGD
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Dechlorination of Sulfite Compounds.
- Everything except Q is given, so isolate Q 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.
- Dechlorination of sulfite compounds neutralizes residual chlorine using a sulfite dose proportional to plant flow rate.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for Q:
Step 3 — List the givens: sulfite dose (SO2:Cl2 ratio basis) (S) = 14.2000 mg/L, sulfite compound feed rate (dose) = 7,597 lb/day.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning Q = 64.1487 MGD to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 128.3 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 32.0743 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 70.5635 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Dechlorination of Sulfite Compounds
dechlorination of sulfite compounds prior to effluent discharge Given sulfite dose (SO2:Cl2 ratio basis) (S) = 8.6000 mg/L; flow rate (Q) = 3.8000 MGD, determine the sulfite compound feed rate (dose) in lb/day.
Given
Find
sulfite compound feed rate (dose), in lb/day
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Dechlorination of Sulfite Compounds.
- Everything except dose is given, so isolate dose 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.
- Dechlorination of sulfite compounds neutralizes residual chlorine using a sulfite dose proportional to plant flow rate.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for dose:
Step 3 — List the givens: sulfite dose (SO2:Cl2 ratio basis) (S) = 8.6000 mg/L, flow rate (Q) = 3.8000 MGD.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning dose = 272.6 lb/day to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 545.1 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 136.3 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 299.8 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Dechlorination of Sulfite Compounds
dechlorination using sodium bisulfite feed rate at a treatment plant Given flow rate (Q) = 6.4000 MGD; sulfite compound feed rate (dose) = 6,873 lb/day, determine the sulfite dose (SO2:Cl2 ratio basis) (S) in mg/L.
Given
Find
sulfite dose (SO2:Cl2 ratio basis) (S), in mg/L
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Dechlorination of Sulfite Compounds.
- Everything except S is given, so isolate S 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.
- Dechlorination of sulfite compounds neutralizes residual chlorine using a sulfite dose proportional to plant flow rate.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for S:
Step 3 — List the givens: flow rate (Q) = 6.4000 MGD, sulfite compound feed rate (dose) = 6,873 lb/day.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning S = 128.8 mg/L to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 257.5 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 64.3829 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 141.6 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Dechlorination of Sulfite Compounds
dechlorination of sulfite compounds dose calculation for a wastewater plant Given sulfite dose (SO2:Cl2 ratio basis) (S) = 14.7000 mg/L; sulfite compound feed rate (dose) = 2,503 lb/day, determine the flow rate (Q) in MGD.
Given
Find
flow rate (Q), in MGD
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Dechlorination of Sulfite Compounds.
- Everything except Q is given, so isolate Q 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.
- Dechlorination of sulfite compounds neutralizes residual chlorine using a sulfite dose proportional to plant flow rate.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for Q:
Step 3 — List the givens: sulfite dose (SO2:Cl2 ratio basis) (S) = 14.7000 mg/L, sulfite compound feed rate (dose) = 2,503 lb/day.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning Q = 20.4163 MGD to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 40.8326 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 10.2082 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 22.4580 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Dechlorination of Sulfite Compounds
dechlorination of sulfite compounds prior to effluent discharge Given sulfite dose (SO2:Cl2 ratio basis) (S) = 14.3000 mg/L; flow rate (Q) = 50.0000 MGD, determine the sulfite compound feed rate (dose) in lb/day.
Given
Find
sulfite compound feed rate (dose), in lb/day
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Dechlorination of Sulfite Compounds.
- Everything except dose is given, so isolate dose 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.
- Dechlorination of sulfite compounds neutralizes residual chlorine using a sulfite dose proportional to plant flow rate.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for dose:
Step 3 — List the givens: sulfite dose (SO2:Cl2 ratio basis) (S) = 14.3000 mg/L, flow rate (Q) = 50.0000 MGD.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning dose = 5,963 lb/day to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 11,926 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 2,982 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 6,559 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Dechlorination of Sulfite Compounds