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Octanol-Water Partition Coefficient

Environmental Engineering · FE Reference Handbook section

Environmental Engineering
3 formulas
10 exam-style examples
~51 min
All Environmental Engineering lectures

Handbook notes for this section

Definitions and conditions exactly as the handbook states them.

  • The ratio of a chemical's concentration in the octanol phase to its concentration in the aqueous phase of a two-phase octanol-

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
Steady-state mass balance — solve for blended concentration — Octanol-Water Partition Coefficient

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 13.5000 MGD; concentration 1 (C1) = 5.0000 mg/L; flow 2 (Q2) = 6.5000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 25.0000 mg/L, determine the blended concentration (C) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=13.5000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 13.5000 MGD
  • concentration1(C1)=5.0000mg/Lconcentration 1 (C_{1}) = 5.0000 mg/L
  • flow2(Q2)=6.5000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 6.5000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=25.0000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 25.0000 mg/L

Find

blended concentration (C), in mg/L

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Steady-state mass balance.
  • Everything except C is given, so isolate C 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.
  • Environmental Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that C stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: flow 1 (Q1) = 13.5000 MGD, concentration 1 (C1) = 5.0000 mg/L, flow 2 (Q2) = 6.5000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 25.0000 mg/L.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C=11.5000 mg/LC = 11.5000\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C = 11.5000 mg/L to

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)

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

Answer:
C=11.5000 mg/LC = 11.5000\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 23.0000 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 5.7500 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 12.6500 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Octanol-Water Partition Coefficient

Example 2
Steady-state mass balance — solve for concentration 1 — Octanol-Water Partition Coefficient (2)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 18.0000 MGD; flow 2 (Q2) = 4.5000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 39.0000 mg/L; blended concentration (C) = 38.7900 mg/L, determine the concentration 1 (C1) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=18.0000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 18.0000 MGD
  • flow2(Q2)=4.5000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 4.5000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=39.0000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 39.0000 mg/L
  • blendedconcentration(C)=38.7900mg/Lblended concentration (C) = 38.7900 mg/L

Find

concentration 1 (C1), in mg/L

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Steady-state mass balance.
  • Everything except C1 is given, so isolate C1 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.
  • Environmental Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that C1 stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: flow 1 (Q1) = 18.0000 MGD, flow 2 (Q2) = 4.5000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 39.0000 mg/L, blended concentration (C) = 38.7900 mg/L.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C1=38.7375 mg/LC_{1} = 38.7375\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C1 = 38.7375 mg/L to

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)

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

Answer:
C1=38.7375 mg/LC_{1} = 38.7375\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 77.4750 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 19.3688 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 42.6113 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Octanol-Water Partition Coefficient

Example 3
Steady-state mass balance — solve for blended concentration (case 2) — Octanol-Water Partition Coefficient (3)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 15.5000 MGD; concentration 1 (C1) = 5.0000 mg/L; flow 2 (Q2) = 4.0000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 30.5000 mg/L, determine the blended concentration (C) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=15.5000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 15.5000 MGD
  • concentration1(C1)=5.0000mg/Lconcentration 1 (C_{1}) = 5.0000 mg/L
  • flow2(Q2)=4.0000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 4.0000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=30.5000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 30.5000 mg/L

Find

blended concentration (C), in mg/L

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Steady-state mass balance.
  • Everything except C is given, so isolate C 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.
  • Environmental Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that C stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: flow 1 (Q1) = 15.5000 MGD, concentration 1 (C1) = 5.0000 mg/L, flow 2 (Q2) = 4.0000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 30.5000 mg/L.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C=10.2308 mg/LC = 10.2308\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C = 10.2308 mg/L to

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)

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

Answer:
C=10.2308 mg/LC = 10.2308\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 20.4615 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 5.1154 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 11.2538 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Octanol-Water Partition Coefficient

Example 4
Steady-state mass balance — solve for concentration 1 (case 2) — Octanol-Water Partition Coefficient (4)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 11.0000 MGD; flow 2 (Q2) = 16.0000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 14.0000 mg/L; blended concentration (C) = 6.8000 mg/L, determine the concentration 1 (C1) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=11.0000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 11.0000 MGD
  • flow2(Q2)=16.0000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 16.0000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=14.0000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 14.0000 mg/L
  • blendedconcentration(C)=6.8000mg/Lblended concentration (C) = 6.8000 mg/L

Find

concentration 1 (C1), in mg/L

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Steady-state mass balance.
  • Everything except C1 is given, so isolate C1 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.
  • Environmental Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that C1 stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: flow 1 (Q1) = 11.0000 MGD, flow 2 (Q2) = 16.0000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 14.0000 mg/L, blended concentration (C) = 6.8000 mg/L.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C1=−3.6727 mg/LC_{1} = -3.6727\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C1 = -3.6727 mg/L to

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)

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

Answer:
C1=−3.6727 mg/LC_{1} = -3.6727\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • -7.3455 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • -1.8364 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • -4.0400 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Octanol-Water Partition Coefficient

Example 5
Steady-state mass balance — solve for blended concentration (case 3) — Octanol-Water Partition Coefficient (5)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 17.5000 MGD; concentration 1 (C1) = 30.0000 mg/L; flow 2 (Q2) = 18.5000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 42.5000 mg/L, determine the blended concentration (C) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=17.5000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 17.5000 MGD
  • concentration1(C1)=30.0000mg/Lconcentration 1 (C_{1}) = 30.0000 mg/L
  • flow2(Q2)=18.5000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 18.5000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=42.5000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 42.5000 mg/L

Find

blended concentration (C), in mg/L

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Steady-state mass balance.
  • Everything except C is given, so isolate C 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.
  • Environmental Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that C stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: flow 1 (Q1) = 17.5000 MGD, concentration 1 (C1) = 30.0000 mg/L, flow 2 (Q2) = 18.5000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 42.5000 mg/L.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C=36.4236 mg/LC = 36.4236\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C = 36.4236 mg/L to

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)

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

Answer:
C=36.4236 mg/LC = 36.4236\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 72.8472 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 18.2118 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 40.0660 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Octanol-Water Partition Coefficient

Example 6
Steady-state mass balance — solve for concentration 1 (case 3) — Octanol-Water Partition Coefficient (6)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 5.5000 MGD; flow 2 (Q2) = 5.5000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 33.5000 mg/L; blended concentration (C) = 13.4900 mg/L, determine the concentration 1 (C1) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=5.5000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 5.5000 MGD
  • flow2(Q2)=5.5000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 5.5000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=33.5000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 33.5000 mg/L
  • blendedconcentration(C)=13.4900mg/Lblended concentration (C) = 13.4900 mg/L

Find

concentration 1 (C1), in mg/L

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Steady-state mass balance.
  • Everything except C1 is given, so isolate C1 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.
  • Environmental Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that C1 stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: flow 1 (Q1) = 5.5000 MGD, flow 2 (Q2) = 5.5000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 33.5000 mg/L, blended concentration (C) = 13.4900 mg/L.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C1=−6.5200 mg/LC_{1} = -6.5200\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C1 = -6.5200 mg/L to

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)

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

Answer:
C1=−6.5200 mg/LC_{1} = -6.5200\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • -13.0400 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • -3.2600 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • -7.1720 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Octanol-Water Partition Coefficient

Example 7
Steady-state mass balance — solve for blended concentration (case 4) — Octanol-Water Partition Coefficient (7)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 10.5000 MGD; concentration 1 (C1) = 4.0000 mg/L; flow 2 (Q2) = 2.0000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 7.5000 mg/L, determine the blended concentration (C) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=10.5000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 10.5000 MGD
  • concentration1(C1)=4.0000mg/Lconcentration 1 (C_{1}) = 4.0000 mg/L
  • flow2(Q2)=2.0000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 2.0000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=7.5000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 7.5000 mg/L

Find

blended concentration (C), in mg/L

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Steady-state mass balance.
  • Everything except C is given, so isolate C 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.
  • Environmental Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that C stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: flow 1 (Q1) = 10.5000 MGD, concentration 1 (C1) = 4.0000 mg/L, flow 2 (Q2) = 2.0000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 7.5000 mg/L.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C=4.5600 mg/LC = 4.5600\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C = 4.5600 mg/L to

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)

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

Answer:
C=4.5600 mg/LC = 4.5600\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 9.1200 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 2.2800 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 5.0160 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Octanol-Water Partition Coefficient

Example 8
Steady-state mass balance — solve for concentration 1 (case 4) — Octanol-Water Partition Coefficient (8)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 18.0000 MGD; flow 2 (Q2) = 2.0000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 31.5000 mg/L; blended concentration (C) = 32.8800 mg/L, determine the concentration 1 (C1) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=18.0000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 18.0000 MGD
  • flow2(Q2)=2.0000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 2.0000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=31.5000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 31.5000 mg/L
  • blendedconcentration(C)=32.8800mg/Lblended concentration (C) = 32.8800 mg/L

Find

concentration 1 (C1), in mg/L

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Steady-state mass balance.
  • Everything except C1 is given, so isolate C1 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.
  • Environmental Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that C1 stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: flow 1 (Q1) = 18.0000 MGD, flow 2 (Q2) = 2.0000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 31.5000 mg/L, blended concentration (C) = 32.8800 mg/L.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C1=33.0333 mg/LC_{1} = 33.0333\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C1 = 33.0333 mg/L to

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)

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

Answer:
C1=33.0333 mg/LC_{1} = 33.0333\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 66.0667 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 16.5167 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 36.3367 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Octanol-Water Partition Coefficient

Example 9
Steady-state mass balance — solve for blended concentration (case 5) — Octanol-Water Partition Coefficient (9)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 17.5000 MGD; concentration 1 (C1) = 41.5000 mg/L; flow 2 (Q2) = 1.5000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 35.0000 mg/L, determine the blended concentration (C) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=17.5000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 17.5000 MGD
  • concentration1(C1)=41.5000mg/Lconcentration 1 (C_{1}) = 41.5000 mg/L
  • flow2(Q2)=1.5000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 1.5000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=35.0000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 35.0000 mg/L

Find

blended concentration (C), in mg/L

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Steady-state mass balance.
  • Everything except C is given, so isolate C 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.
  • Environmental Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that C stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: flow 1 (Q1) = 17.5000 MGD, concentration 1 (C1) = 41.5000 mg/L, flow 2 (Q2) = 1.5000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 35.0000 mg/L.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C=40.9868 mg/LC = 40.9868\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C = 40.9868 mg/L to

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)

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

Answer:
C=40.9868 mg/LC = 40.9868\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 81.9737 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 20.4934 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 45.0855 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Octanol-Water Partition Coefficient

Example 10
Steady-state mass balance — solve for concentration 1 (case 5) — Octanol-Water Partition Coefficient (10)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 8.0000 MGD; flow 2 (Q2) = 20.0000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 17.5000 mg/L; blended concentration (C) = 10.5000 mg/L, determine the concentration 1 (C1) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=8.0000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 8.0000 MGD
  • flow2(Q2)=20.0000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 20.0000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=17.5000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 17.5000 mg/L
  • blendedconcentration(C)=10.5000mg/Lblended concentration (C) = 10.5000 mg/L

Find

concentration 1 (C1), in mg/L

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Steady-state mass balance.
  • Everything except C1 is given, so isolate C1 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.
  • Environmental Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that C1 stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: flow 1 (Q1) = 8.0000 MGD, flow 2 (Q2) = 20.0000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 17.5000 mg/L, blended concentration (C) = 10.5000 mg/L.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C1=−7.0000 mg/LC_{1} = -7.0000\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C1 = -7.0000 mg/L to

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)

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

Answer:
C1=−7.0000 mg/LC_{1} = -7.0000\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • -14.0000 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • -3.5000 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • -7.7000 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Octanol-Water Partition Coefficient

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