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Outdoor Air Changes per Hour

Environmental Engineering · FE Reference Handbook section

Environmental Engineering
6 formulas
10 exam-style examples
~57 min
All Environmental Engineering lectures

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 — Outdoor Air Changes per Hour

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 14.0000 MGD; concentration 1 (C1) = 49.0000 mg/L; flow 2 (Q2) = 9.5000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 17.0000 mg/L, determine the blended concentration (C) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=14.0000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 14.0000 MGD
  • concentration1(C1)=49.0000mg/Lconcentration 1 (C_{1}) = 49.0000 mg/L
  • flow2(Q2)=9.5000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 9.5000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=17.0000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 17.0000 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) = 14.0000 MGD, concentration 1 (C1) = 49.0000 mg/L, flow 2 (Q2) = 9.5000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 17.0000 mg/L.

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

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C=36.0638 mg/LC = 36.0638\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C = 36.0638 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=36.0638 mg/LC = 36.0638\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 72.1277 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 18.0319 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 39.6702 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Outdoor Air Changes per Hour

Example 2
Steady-state mass balance — solve for concentration 1 — Outdoor Air Changes per Hour (2)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 2.0000 MGD; flow 2 (Q2) = 9.0000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 40.5000 mg/L; blended concentration (C) = 27.6500 mg/L, determine the concentration 1 (C1) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=2.0000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 2.0000 MGD
  • flow2(Q2)=9.0000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 9.0000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=40.5000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 40.5000 mg/L
  • blendedconcentration(C)=27.6500mg/Lblended concentration (C) = 27.6500 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) = 2.0000 MGD, flow 2 (Q2) = 9.0000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 40.5000 mg/L, blended concentration (C) = 27.6500 mg/L.

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

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C1=−30.1750 mg/LC_{1} = -30.1750\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C1 = -30.1750 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=−30.1750 mg/LC_{1} = -30.1750\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • -60.3500 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • -15.0875 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • -33.1925 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Outdoor Air Changes per Hour

Example 3
Steady-state mass balance — solve for blended concentration (case 2) — Outdoor Air Changes per Hour (3)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 11.0000 MGD; concentration 1 (C1) = 22.0000 mg/L; flow 2 (Q2) = 6.0000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 37.0000 mg/L, determine the blended concentration (C) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=11.0000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 11.0000 MGD
  • concentration1(C1)=22.0000mg/Lconcentration 1 (C_{1}) = 22.0000 mg/L
  • flow2(Q2)=6.0000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 6.0000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=37.0000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 37.0000 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) = 11.0000 MGD, concentration 1 (C1) = 22.0000 mg/L, flow 2 (Q2) = 6.0000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 37.0000 mg/L.

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

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C=27.2941 mg/LC = 27.2941\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C = 27.2941 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=27.2941 mg/LC = 27.2941\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 54.5882 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 13.6471 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 30.0235 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Outdoor Air Changes per Hour

Example 4
Steady-state mass balance — solve for concentration 1 (case 2) — Outdoor Air Changes per Hour (4)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 15.5000 MGD; flow 2 (Q2) = 1.5000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 35.5000 mg/L; blended concentration (C) = 12.9500 mg/L, determine the concentration 1 (C1) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=15.5000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 15.5000 MGD
  • flow2(Q2)=1.5000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 1.5000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=35.5000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 35.5000 mg/L
  • blendedconcentration(C)=12.9500mg/Lblended concentration (C) = 12.9500 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) = 15.5000 MGD, flow 2 (Q2) = 1.5000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 35.5000 mg/L, blended concentration (C) = 12.9500 mg/L.

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

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C1=10.7677 mg/LC_{1} = 10.7677\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C1 = 10.7677 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=10.7677 mg/LC_{1} = 10.7677\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 21.5355 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 5.3839 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 11.8445 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Outdoor Air Changes per Hour

Example 5
Steady-state mass balance — solve for blended concentration (case 3) — Outdoor Air Changes per Hour (5)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 8.0000 MGD; concentration 1 (C1) = 39.5000 mg/L; flow 2 (Q2) = 16.5000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 47.5000 mg/L, determine the blended concentration (C) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=8.0000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 8.0000 MGD
  • concentration1(C1)=39.5000mg/Lconcentration 1 (C_{1}) = 39.5000 mg/L
  • flow2(Q2)=16.5000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 16.5000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=47.5000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 47.5000 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) = 8.0000 MGD, concentration 1 (C1) = 39.5000 mg/L, flow 2 (Q2) = 16.5000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 47.5000 mg/L.

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

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C=44.8878 mg/LC = 44.8878\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C = 44.8878 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=44.8878 mg/LC = 44.8878\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 89.7755 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 22.4439 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 49.3765 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Outdoor Air Changes per Hour

Example 6
Steady-state mass balance — solve for concentration 1 (case 3) — Outdoor Air Changes per Hour (6)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 20.0000 MGD; flow 2 (Q2) = 17.5000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 22.0000 mg/L; blended concentration (C) = 29.8300 mg/L, determine the concentration 1 (C1) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=20.0000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 20.0000 MGD
  • flow2(Q2)=17.5000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 17.5000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=22.0000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 22.0000 mg/L
  • blendedconcentration(C)=29.8300mg/Lblended concentration (C) = 29.8300 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) = 20.0000 MGD, flow 2 (Q2) = 17.5000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 22.0000 mg/L, blended concentration (C) = 29.8300 mg/L.

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

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C1=36.6813 mg/LC_{1} = 36.6813\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C1 = 36.6813 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=36.6813 mg/LC_{1} = 36.6813\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 73.3625 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 18.3406 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 40.3494 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Outdoor Air Changes per Hour

Example 7
Steady-state mass balance — solve for blended concentration (case 4) — Outdoor Air Changes per Hour (7)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 4.0000 MGD; concentration 1 (C1) = 42.0000 mg/L; flow 2 (Q2) = 4.0000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 49.5000 mg/L, determine the blended concentration (C) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=4.0000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 4.0000 MGD
  • concentration1(C1)=42.0000mg/Lconcentration 1 (C_{1}) = 42.0000 mg/L
  • flow2(Q2)=4.0000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 4.0000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=49.5000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 49.5000 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) = 4.0000 MGD, concentration 1 (C1) = 42.0000 mg/L, flow 2 (Q2) = 4.0000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 49.5000 mg/L.

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

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C=45.7500 mg/LC = 45.7500\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C = 45.7500 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=45.7500 mg/LC = 45.7500\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 91.5000 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 22.8750 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 50.3250 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Outdoor Air Changes per Hour

Example 8
Steady-state mass balance — solve for concentration 1 (case 4) — Outdoor Air Changes per Hour (8)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 3.5000 MGD; flow 2 (Q2) = 6.5000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 30.0000 mg/L; blended concentration (C) = 37.2900 mg/L, determine the concentration 1 (C1) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=3.5000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 3.5000 MGD
  • flow2(Q2)=6.5000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 6.5000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=30.0000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 30.0000 mg/L
  • blendedconcentration(C)=37.2900mg/Lblended concentration (C) = 37.2900 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) = 3.5000 MGD, flow 2 (Q2) = 6.5000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 30.0000 mg/L, blended concentration (C) = 37.2900 mg/L.

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

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C1=50.8286 mg/LC_{1} = 50.8286\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C1 = 50.8286 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=50.8286 mg/LC_{1} = 50.8286\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 101.7 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 25.4143 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 55.9114 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Outdoor Air Changes per Hour

Example 9
Steady-state mass balance — solve for blended concentration (case 5) — Outdoor Air Changes per Hour (9)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 18.5000 MGD; concentration 1 (C1) = 12.0000 mg/L; flow 2 (Q2) = 3.0000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 37.5000 mg/L, determine the blended concentration (C) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=18.5000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 18.5000 MGD
  • concentration1(C1)=12.0000mg/Lconcentration 1 (C_{1}) = 12.0000 mg/L
  • flow2(Q2)=3.0000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 3.0000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=37.5000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 37.5000 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) = 18.5000 MGD, concentration 1 (C1) = 12.0000 mg/L, flow 2 (Q2) = 3.0000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 37.5000 mg/L.

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

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C=15.5581 mg/LC = 15.5581\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C = 15.5581 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=15.5581 mg/LC = 15.5581\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 31.1163 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 7.7791 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 17.1140 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Outdoor Air Changes per Hour

Example 10
Steady-state mass balance — solve for concentration 1 (case 5) — Outdoor Air Changes per Hour (10)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 4.5000 MGD; flow 2 (Q2) = 5.5000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 8.0000 mg/L; blended concentration (C) = 46.0600 mg/L, determine the concentration 1 (C1) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=4.5000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 4.5000 MGD
  • flow2(Q2)=5.5000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 5.5000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=8.0000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 8.0000 mg/L
  • blendedconcentration(C)=46.0600mg/Lblended concentration (C) = 46.0600 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) = 4.5000 MGD, flow 2 (Q2) = 5.5000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 8.0000 mg/L, blended concentration (C) = 46.0600 mg/L.

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

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C1=92.5778 mg/LC_{1} = 92.5778\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C1 = 92.5778 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=92.5778 mg/LC_{1} = 92.5778\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 185.2 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 46.2889 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 101.8 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Outdoor Air Changes per Hour

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