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Percent of Outdoor Air

Environmental Engineering · FE Reference Handbook section

Environmental Engineering
4 formulas
10 exam-style examples
~53 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 — Percent of Outdoor Air

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 16.5000 MGD; concentration 1 (C1) = 5.0000 mg/L; flow 2 (Q2) = 7.0000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 43.5000 mg/L, determine the blended concentration (C) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=16.5000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 16.5000 MGD
  • concentration1(C1)=5.0000mg/Lconcentration 1 (C_{1}) = 5.0000 mg/L
  • flow2(Q2)=7.0000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 7.0000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=43.5000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 43.5000 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) = 16.5000 MGD, concentration 1 (C1) = 5.0000 mg/L, flow 2 (Q2) = 7.0000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 43.5000 mg/L.

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

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C=16.4681 mg/LC = 16.4681\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C = 16.4681 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=16.4681 mg/LC = 16.4681\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 32.9362 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 8.2340 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 18.1149 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Percent of Outdoor Air

Example 2
Steady-state mass balance — solve for concentration 1 — Percent of Outdoor Air (2)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 16.0000 MGD; flow 2 (Q2) = 13.0000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 49.5000 mg/L; blended concentration (C) = 22.5000 mg/L, determine the concentration 1 (C1) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=16.0000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 16.0000 MGD
  • flow2(Q2)=13.0000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 13.0000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=49.5000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 49.5000 mg/L
  • blendedconcentration(C)=22.5000mg/Lblended concentration (C) = 22.5000 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) = 16.0000 MGD, flow 2 (Q2) = 13.0000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 49.5000 mg/L, blended concentration (C) = 22.5000 mg/L.

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

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C1=0.5625 mg/LC_{1} = 0.5625\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C1 = 0.5625 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=0.5625 mg/LC_{1} = 0.5625\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 1.1250 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.2813 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 0.6188 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Percent of Outdoor Air

Example 3
Steady-state mass balance — solve for blended concentration (case 2) — Percent of Outdoor Air (3)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 15.5000 MGD; concentration 1 (C1) = 46.5000 mg/L; flow 2 (Q2) = 2.0000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 34.0000 mg/L, determine the blended concentration (C) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=15.5000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 15.5000 MGD
  • concentration1(C1)=46.5000mg/Lconcentration 1 (C_{1}) = 46.5000 mg/L
  • flow2(Q2)=2.0000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 2.0000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=34.0000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 34.0000 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) = 15.5000 MGD, concentration 1 (C1) = 46.5000 mg/L, flow 2 (Q2) = 2.0000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 34.0000 mg/L.

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

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C=45.0714 mg/LC = 45.0714\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C = 45.0714 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=45.0714 mg/LC = 45.0714\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 90.1429 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 22.5357 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 49.5786 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Percent of Outdoor Air

Example 4
Steady-state mass balance — solve for concentration 1 (case 2) — Percent of Outdoor Air (4)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 14.0000 MGD; flow 2 (Q2) = 3.5000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 18.0000 mg/L; blended concentration (C) = 29.7800 mg/L, determine the concentration 1 (C1) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=14.0000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 14.0000 MGD
  • flow2(Q2)=3.5000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 3.5000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=18.0000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 18.0000 mg/L
  • blendedconcentration(C)=29.7800mg/Lblended concentration (C) = 29.7800 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) = 14.0000 MGD, flow 2 (Q2) = 3.5000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 18.0000 mg/L, blended concentration (C) = 29.7800 mg/L.

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

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C1=32.7250 mg/LC_{1} = 32.7250\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C1 = 32.7250 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=32.7250 mg/LC_{1} = 32.7250\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 65.4500 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 16.3625 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 35.9975 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Percent of Outdoor Air

Example 5
Steady-state mass balance — solve for blended concentration (case 3) — Percent of Outdoor Air (5)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 13.5000 MGD; concentration 1 (C1) = 29.0000 mg/L; flow 2 (Q2) = 3.0000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 42.0000 mg/L, determine the blended concentration (C) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=13.5000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 13.5000 MGD
  • concentration1(C1)=29.0000mg/Lconcentration 1 (C_{1}) = 29.0000 mg/L
  • flow2(Q2)=3.0000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 3.0000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=42.0000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 42.0000 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) = 29.0000 mg/L, flow 2 (Q2) = 3.0000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 42.0000 mg/L.

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

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C=31.3636 mg/LC = 31.3636\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C = 31.3636 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=31.3636 mg/LC = 31.3636\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 62.7273 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 15.6818 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 34.5000 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Percent of Outdoor Air

Example 6
Steady-state mass balance — solve for concentration 1 (case 3) — Percent of Outdoor Air (6)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 19.5000 MGD; flow 2 (Q2) = 3.5000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 19.5000 mg/L; blended concentration (C) = 32.4400 mg/L, determine the concentration 1 (C1) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=19.5000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 19.5000 MGD
  • flow2(Q2)=3.5000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 3.5000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=19.5000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 19.5000 mg/L
  • blendedconcentration(C)=32.4400mg/Lblended concentration (C) = 32.4400 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) = 19.5000 MGD, flow 2 (Q2) = 3.5000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 19.5000 mg/L, blended concentration (C) = 32.4400 mg/L.

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

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C1=34.7626 mg/LC_{1} = 34.7626\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C1 = 34.7626 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=34.7626 mg/LC_{1} = 34.7626\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 69.5251 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 17.3813 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 38.2388 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Percent of Outdoor Air

Example 7
Steady-state mass balance — solve for blended concentration (case 4) — Percent of Outdoor Air (7)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 19.0000 MGD; concentration 1 (C1) = 18.5000 mg/L; flow 2 (Q2) = 18.5000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 2.0000 mg/L, determine the blended concentration (C) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=19.0000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 19.0000 MGD
  • concentration1(C1)=18.5000mg/Lconcentration 1 (C_{1}) = 18.5000 mg/L
  • flow2(Q2)=18.5000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 18.5000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=2.0000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 2.0000 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) = 19.0000 MGD, concentration 1 (C1) = 18.5000 mg/L, flow 2 (Q2) = 18.5000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 2.0000 mg/L.

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

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C=10.3600 mg/LC = 10.3600\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C = 10.3600 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=10.3600 mg/LC = 10.3600\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 20.7200 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 5.1800 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 11.3960 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Percent of Outdoor Air

Example 8
Steady-state mass balance — solve for concentration 1 (case 4) — Percent of Outdoor Air (8)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 9.0000 MGD; flow 2 (Q2) = 8.0000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 7.0000 mg/L; blended concentration (C) = 38.8700 mg/L, determine the concentration 1 (C1) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=9.0000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 9.0000 MGD
  • flow2(Q2)=8.0000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 8.0000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=7.0000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 7.0000 mg/L
  • blendedconcentration(C)=38.8700mg/Lblended concentration (C) = 38.8700 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) = 9.0000 MGD, flow 2 (Q2) = 8.0000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 7.0000 mg/L, blended concentration (C) = 38.8700 mg/L.

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

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C1=67.1989 mg/LC_{1} = 67.1989\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C1 = 67.1989 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=67.1989 mg/LC_{1} = 67.1989\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 134.4 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 33.5994 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 73.9188 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Percent of Outdoor Air

Example 9
Steady-state mass balance — solve for blended concentration (case 5) — Percent of Outdoor Air (9)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 18.0000 MGD; concentration 1 (C1) = 41.0000 mg/L; flow 2 (Q2) = 4.0000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 23.0000 mg/L, determine the blended concentration (C) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=18.0000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 18.0000 MGD
  • concentration1(C1)=41.0000mg/Lconcentration 1 (C_{1}) = 41.0000 mg/L
  • flow2(Q2)=4.0000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 4.0000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=23.0000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 23.0000 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) = 18.0000 MGD, concentration 1 (C1) = 41.0000 mg/L, flow 2 (Q2) = 4.0000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 23.0000 mg/L.

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

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C=37.7273 mg/LC = 37.7273\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C = 37.7273 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=37.7273 mg/LC = 37.7273\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 75.4545 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 18.8636 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 41.5000 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Percent of Outdoor Air

Example 10
Steady-state mass balance — solve for concentration 1 (case 5) — Percent of Outdoor Air (10)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 9.0000 MGD; flow 2 (Q2) = 4.0000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 40.5000 mg/L; blended concentration (C) = 40.6500 mg/L, determine the concentration 1 (C1) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=9.0000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 9.0000 MGD
  • flow2(Q2)=4.0000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 4.0000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=40.5000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 40.5000 mg/L
  • blendedconcentration(C)=40.6500mg/Lblended concentration (C) = 40.6500 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) = 9.0000 MGD, flow 2 (Q2) = 4.0000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 40.5000 mg/L, blended concentration (C) = 40.6500 mg/L.

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

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C1=40.7167 mg/LC_{1} = 40.7167\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C1 = 40.7167 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=40.7167 mg/LC_{1} = 40.7167\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 81.4333 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 20.3583 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 44.7883 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Percent of Outdoor Air

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