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Standard Rate

Environmental Engineering · FE Reference Handbook section

Environmental Engineering
1 formulas
10 exam-style examples
~47 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
Hydraulic detention time — solve for detention time — Standard Rate

A environmental engineering problem uses Hydraulic detention time. Given tank volume (V) = 956,000 gal; flow rate (Q) = 4,907,000 gal/day, determine the detention time (theta) in day.

Given

  • tankvolume(V)=956,000galtank volume (V) = 956,000 gal
  • flowrate(Q)=4,907,000gal/dayflow rate (Q) = 4,907,000 gal/day

Find

detention time (theta), in day

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Hydraulic detention time.
  • Everything except theta is given, so isolate theta 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:

    θ=V/Q\theta = V / Q
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that theta stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:tankvolume(V)=956,000gal,flowrate(Q)=4,907,000gal/dayList the givens: tank volume (V) = 956,000 gal, flow rate (Q) = 4,907,000 gal/day
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    θ=0.1948 day\theta = 0.1948\ \text{day}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning theta = 0.1948 day to

    θ=V/Q\theta = V / Q

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

Answer:
θ=0.1948 day\theta = 0.1948\ \text{day}

Why the other options are there

  • 0.3896 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.0974 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 0.2143 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Standard Rate

Example 2
Hydraulic detention time — solve for tank volume — Standard Rate (2)

A environmental engineering problem uses Hydraulic detention time. Given flow rate (Q) = 3,129,000 gal/day; detention time (theta) = 2.7900 day, determine the tank volume (V) in gal.

Given

  • flowrate(Q)=3,129,000gal/dayflow rate (Q) = 3,129,000 gal/day
  • detentiontime(theta)=2.7900daydetention time (theta) = 2.7900 day

Find

tank volume (V), in gal

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Hydraulic detention time.
  • Everything except V is given, so isolate V 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:

    θ=V/Q\theta = V / Q
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that V stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:flowrate(Q)=3,129,000gal/day,detentiontime(theta)=2.7900dayList the givens: flow rate (Q) = 3,129,000 gal/day, detention time (theta) = 2.7900 day
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    V=8729910 galV = 8729910\ \text{gal}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning V = 8,729,910 gal to

    θ=V/Q\theta = V / Q

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

Answer:
V=8729910 galV = 8729910\ \text{gal}

Why the other options are there

  • 17,459,820 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 4,364,955 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 9,602,901 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Standard Rate

Example 3
Hydraulic detention time — solve for flow rate — Standard Rate (3)

A environmental engineering problem uses Hydraulic detention time. Given tank volume (V) = 823,000 gal; detention time (theta) = 0.3300 day, determine the flow rate (Q) in gal/day.

Given

  • tankvolume(V)=823,000galtank volume (V) = 823,000 gal
  • detentiontime(theta)=0.3300daydetention time (theta) = 0.3300 day

Find

flow rate (Q), in gal/day

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Hydraulic detention time.
  • 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.
  • Environmental Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    θ=V/Q\theta = V / Q
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that Q stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:tankvolume(V)=823,000gal,detentiontime(theta)=0.3300dayList the givens: tank volume (V) = 823,000 gal, detention time (theta) = 0.3300 day
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Q=2493939 gal/dayQ = 2493939\ \text{gal/day}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning Q = 2,493,939 gal/day to

    θ=V/Q\theta = V / Q

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

Answer:
Q=2493939 gal/dayQ = 2493939\ \text{gal/day}

Why the other options are there

  • 4,987,879 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 1,246,970 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 2,743,333 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Standard Rate

Example 4
Hydraulic detention time — solve for detention time (case 2) — Standard Rate (4)

A environmental engineering problem uses Hydraulic detention time. Given tank volume (V) = 495,000 gal; flow rate (Q) = 4,481,000 gal/day, determine the detention time (theta) in day.

Given

  • tankvolume(V)=495,000galtank volume (V) = 495,000 gal
  • flowrate(Q)=4,481,000gal/dayflow rate (Q) = 4,481,000 gal/day

Find

detention time (theta), in day

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Hydraulic detention time.
  • Everything except theta is given, so isolate theta 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:

    θ=V/Q\theta = V / Q
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that theta stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:tankvolume(V)=495,000gal,flowrate(Q)=4,481,000gal/dayList the givens: tank volume (V) = 495,000 gal, flow rate (Q) = 4,481,000 gal/day
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    θ=0.1105 day\theta = 0.1105\ \text{day}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning theta = 0.1105 day to

    θ=V/Q\theta = V / Q

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

Answer:
θ=0.1105 day\theta = 0.1105\ \text{day}

Why the other options are there

  • 0.2209 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.0552 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 0.1215 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Standard Rate

Example 5
Hydraulic detention time — solve for tank volume (case 2) — Standard Rate (5)

A environmental engineering problem uses Hydraulic detention time. Given flow rate (Q) = 1,928,000 gal/day; detention time (theta) = 6.6900 day, determine the tank volume (V) in gal.

Given

  • flowrate(Q)=1,928,000gal/dayflow rate (Q) = 1,928,000 gal/day
  • detentiontime(theta)=6.6900daydetention time (theta) = 6.6900 day

Find

tank volume (V), in gal

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Hydraulic detention time.
  • Everything except V is given, so isolate V 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:

    θ=V/Q\theta = V / Q
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that V stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:flowrate(Q)=1,928,000gal/day,detentiontime(theta)=6.6900dayList the givens: flow rate (Q) = 1,928,000 gal/day, detention time (theta) = 6.6900 day
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    V=12898320 galV = 12898320\ \text{gal}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning V = 12,898,320 gal to

    θ=V/Q\theta = V / Q

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

Answer:
V=12898320 galV = 12898320\ \text{gal}

Why the other options are there

  • 25,796,640 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 6,449,160 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 14,188,152 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Standard Rate

Example 6
Hydraulic detention time — solve for flow rate (case 2) — Standard Rate (6)

A environmental engineering problem uses Hydraulic detention time. Given tank volume (V) = 1,091,000 gal; detention time (theta) = 1.5100 day, determine the flow rate (Q) in gal/day.

Given

  • tankvolume(V)=1,091,000galtank volume (V) = 1,091,000 gal
  • detentiontime(theta)=1.5100daydetention time (theta) = 1.5100 day

Find

flow rate (Q), in gal/day

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Hydraulic detention time.
  • 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.
  • Environmental Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    θ=V/Q\theta = V / Q
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that Q stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:tankvolume(V)=1,091,000gal,detentiontime(theta)=1.5100dayList the givens: tank volume (V) = 1,091,000 gal, detention time (theta) = 1.5100 day
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Q=722517 gal/dayQ = 722517\ \text{gal/day}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning Q = 722,517 gal/day to

    θ=V/Q\theta = V / Q

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

Answer:
Q=722517 gal/dayQ = 722517\ \text{gal/day}

Why the other options are there

  • 1,445,033 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 361,258 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 794,768 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Standard Rate

Example 7
Hydraulic detention time — solve for detention time (case 3) — Standard Rate (7)

A environmental engineering problem uses Hydraulic detention time. Given tank volume (V) = 1,025,000 gal; flow rate (Q) = 2,557,000 gal/day, determine the detention time (theta) in day.

Given

  • tankvolume(V)=1,025,000galtank volume (V) = 1,025,000 gal
  • flowrate(Q)=2,557,000gal/dayflow rate (Q) = 2,557,000 gal/day

Find

detention time (theta), in day

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Hydraulic detention time.
  • Everything except theta is given, so isolate theta 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:

    θ=V/Q\theta = V / Q
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that theta stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:tankvolume(V)=1,025,000gal,flowrate(Q)=2,557,000gal/dayList the givens: tank volume (V) = 1,025,000 gal, flow rate (Q) = 2,557,000 gal/day
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    θ=0.4009 day\theta = 0.4009\ \text{day}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning theta = 0.4009 day to

    θ=V/Q\theta = V / Q

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

Answer:
θ=0.4009 day\theta = 0.4009\ \text{day}

Why the other options are there

  • 0.8017 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.2004 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 0.4409 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Standard Rate

Example 8
Hydraulic detention time — solve for tank volume (case 3) — Standard Rate (8)

A environmental engineering problem uses Hydraulic detention time. Given flow rate (Q) = 2,283,000 gal/day; detention time (theta) = 7.3300 day, determine the tank volume (V) in gal.

Given

  • flowrate(Q)=2,283,000gal/dayflow rate (Q) = 2,283,000 gal/day
  • detentiontime(theta)=7.3300daydetention time (theta) = 7.3300 day

Find

tank volume (V), in gal

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Hydraulic detention time.
  • Everything except V is given, so isolate V 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:

    θ=V/Q\theta = V / Q
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that V stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:flowrate(Q)=2,283,000gal/day,detentiontime(theta)=7.3300dayList the givens: flow rate (Q) = 2,283,000 gal/day, detention time (theta) = 7.3300 day
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    V=16734390 galV = 16734390\ \text{gal}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning V = 16,734,390 gal to

    θ=V/Q\theta = V / Q

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

Answer:
V=16734390 galV = 16734390\ \text{gal}

Why the other options are there

  • 33,468,780 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 8,367,195 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 18,407,829 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Standard Rate

Example 9
Hydraulic detention time — solve for flow rate (case 3) — Standard Rate (9)

A environmental engineering problem uses Hydraulic detention time. Given tank volume (V) = 373,000 gal; detention time (theta) = 6.1200 day, determine the flow rate (Q) in gal/day.

Given

  • tankvolume(V)=373,000galtank volume (V) = 373,000 gal
  • detentiontime(theta)=6.1200daydetention time (theta) = 6.1200 day

Find

flow rate (Q), in gal/day

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Hydraulic detention time.
  • 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.
  • Environmental Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    θ=V/Q\theta = V / Q
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that Q stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:tankvolume(V)=373,000gal,detentiontime(theta)=6.1200dayList the givens: tank volume (V) = 373,000 gal, detention time (theta) = 6.1200 day
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Q=60948 gal/dayQ = 60948\ \text{gal/day}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning Q = 60,948 gal/day to

    θ=V/Q\theta = V / Q

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

Answer:
Q=60948 gal/dayQ = 60948\ \text{gal/day}

Why the other options are there

  • 121,895 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 30,474 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 67,042 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Standard Rate

Example 10
Hydraulic detention time — solve for detention time (case 4) — Standard Rate (10)

A environmental engineering problem uses Hydraulic detention time. Given tank volume (V) = 1,484,000 gal; flow rate (Q) = 4,365,000 gal/day, determine the detention time (theta) in day.

Given

  • tankvolume(V)=1,484,000galtank volume (V) = 1,484,000 gal
  • flowrate(Q)=4,365,000gal/dayflow rate (Q) = 4,365,000 gal/day

Find

detention time (theta), in day

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Hydraulic detention time.
  • Everything except theta is given, so isolate theta 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:

    θ=V/Q\theta = V / Q
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that theta stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:tankvolume(V)=1,484,000gal,flowrate(Q)=4,365,000gal/dayList the givens: tank volume (V) = 1,484,000 gal, flow rate (Q) = 4,365,000 gal/day
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    θ=0.3400 day\theta = 0.3400\ \text{day}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning theta = 0.3400 day to

    θ=V/Q\theta = V / Q

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

Answer:
θ=0.3400 day\theta = 0.3400\ \text{day}

Why the other options are there

  • 0.6800 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.1700 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 0.3740 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Standard Rate

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