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Steady-State Reactor Parameters (Constant Density Systems)

Environmental Engineering · FE Reference Handbook section

Environmental Engineering
7 formulas
10 exam-style examples
~59 min
All Environmental Engineering lectures

Handbook notes for this section

Definitions and conditions exactly as the handbook states them.

  • Reaction Order r Ideal Batch Ideal Plug Flow Ideal CMFR
  • Comparison of Steady-State Performance for Decay Reac ons of Different Order a
  • Reaction Order r Ideal Batch Ideal Plug Flow Ideal CMFR
  • Time conditions are for ideal batch reactor only.

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 — Steady-State Reactor Parameters (Constant Density Systems)

A environmental engineering problem uses Hydraulic detention time. Given tank volume (V) = 26,000 gal; flow rate (Q) = 565,000 gal/day, determine the detention time (theta) in day.

Given

  • tankvolume(V)=26,000galtank volume (V) = 26,000 gal
  • flowrate(Q)=565,000gal/dayflow rate (Q) = 565,000 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)=26,000gal,flowrate(Q)=565,000gal/dayList the givens: tank volume (V) = 26,000 gal, flow rate (Q) = 565,000 gal/day
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    θ=0.0460 day\theta = 0.0460\ \text{day}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning theta = 0.0460 day to

    θ=V/Q\theta = V / Q

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

Answer:
θ=0.0460 day\theta = 0.0460\ \text{day}

Why the other options are there

  • 0.0920 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.0230 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 0.0506 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Steady-State Reactor Parameters (Constant Density Systems)

Example 2
Density — solve for density — Steady-State Reactor Parameters (Constant Density Systems) (2)

density of a soil or waste material sample Given mass (m) = 320.0 kg; volume (V) = 0.7200 m^3, determine the density (rho) in kg/m^3.

Given

  • mass(m)=320.0kgmass (m) = 320.0 kg
  • volume(V)=0.7200m3volume (V) = 0.7200 m^3

Find

density (rho), in kg/m^3

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Density.
  • Everything except rho is given, so isolate rho 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.
  • Density of a material sample is mass per unit volume, a fundamental property used throughout environmental engineering calculations.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    ρ=mV\rho = \dfrac{m}{V}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for rho:

    ρ=mV\rho = \dfrac{m}{V}
  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:mass(m)=320.0kg,volume(V)=0.7200m3List the givens: mass (m) = 320.0 kg, volume (V) = 0.7200 m^3
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    ρ=320.00.7200\rho = \dfrac{320.0}{0.7200}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    \rho = 444.4\ \text{kg/m^3}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning rho = 444.4 kg/m^3 to

    ρ=mV\rho = \dfrac{m}{V}

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

Answer:
\rho = 444.4\ \text{kg/m^3}

Why the other options are there

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

Reference: FE Handbook — Density

Example 3
Hydraulic detention time — solve for tank volume — Steady-State Reactor Parameters (Constant Density Systems) (3)

A environmental engineering problem uses Hydraulic detention time. Given flow rate (Q) = 4,899,000 gal/day; detention time (theta) = 1.2200 day, determine the tank volume (V) in gal.

Given

  • flowrate(Q)=4,899,000gal/dayflow rate (Q) = 4,899,000 gal/day
  • detentiontime(theta)=1.2200daydetention time (theta) = 1.2200 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)=4,899,000gal/day,detentiontime(theta)=1.2200dayList the givens: flow rate (Q) = 4,899,000 gal/day, detention time (theta) = 1.2200 day
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    V=5976780 galV = 5976780\ \text{gal}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning V = 5,976,780 gal to

    θ=V/Q\theta = V / Q

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

Answer:
V=5976780 galV = 5976780\ \text{gal}

Why the other options are there

  • 11,953,560 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 2,988,390 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 6,574,458 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Steady-State Reactor Parameters (Constant Density Systems)

Example 4
Density — solve for mass — Steady-State Reactor Parameters (Constant Density Systems) (4)

density calculation from measured mass and volume of a liquid sample Given volume (V) = 0.0210 m^3; density (rho) = 1,313 kg/m^3, determine the mass (m) in kg.

Given

  • volume(V)=0.0210m3volume (V) = 0.0210 m^3
  • density(rho)=1,313kg/m3density (rho) = 1,313 kg/m^3

Find

mass (m), in kg

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Density.
  • Everything except m is given, so isolate m 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.
  • Density of a material sample is mass per unit volume, a fundamental property used throughout environmental engineering calculations.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    ρ=mV\rho = \dfrac{m}{V}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for m:

    m=ρVm = \rho V
  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:volume(V)=0.0210m3,density(rho)=1,313kg/m3List the givens: volume (V) = 0.0210 m^3, density (rho) = 1,313 kg/m^3
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    m=13130.0210m = 1313 0.0210
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    m=27.5730 kgm = 27.5730\ \text{kg}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning m = 27.5730 kg to

    ρ=mV\rho = \dfrac{m}{V}

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

Answer:
m=27.5730 kgm = 27.5730\ \text{kg}

Why the other options are there

  • 55.1460 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 13.7865 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 30.3303 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Density

Example 5
Hydraulic detention time — solve for flow rate — Steady-State Reactor Parameters (Constant Density Systems) (5)

A environmental engineering problem uses Hydraulic detention time. Given tank volume (V) = 455,000 gal; detention time (theta) = 1.2300 day, determine the flow rate (Q) in gal/day.

Given

  • tankvolume(V)=455,000galtank volume (V) = 455,000 gal
  • detentiontime(theta)=1.2300daydetention time (theta) = 1.2300 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)=455,000gal,detentiontime(theta)=1.2300dayList the givens: tank volume (V) = 455,000 gal, detention time (theta) = 1.2300 day
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Q=369919 gal/dayQ = 369919\ \text{gal/day}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning Q = 369,919 gal/day to

    θ=V/Q\theta = V / Q

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

Answer:
Q=369919 gal/dayQ = 369919\ \text{gal/day}

Why the other options are there

  • 739,837 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 184,959 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 406,911 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Steady-State Reactor Parameters (Constant Density Systems)

Example 6
Density — solve for volume — Steady-State Reactor Parameters (Constant Density Systems) (6)

density of a sludge sample measured in the laboratory Given mass (m) = 361.0 kg; density (rho) = 2,789 kg/m^3, determine the volume (V) in m^3.

Given

  • mass(m)=361.0kgmass (m) = 361.0 kg
  • density(rho)=2,789kg/m3density (rho) = 2,789 kg/m^3

Find

volume (V), in m^3

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Density.
  • 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.
  • Density of a material sample is mass per unit volume, a fundamental property used throughout environmental engineering calculations.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    ρ=mV\rho = \dfrac{m}{V}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for V:

    V=mρV = \dfrac{m}{\rho}
  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:mass(m)=361.0kg,density(rho)=2,789kg/m3List the givens: mass (m) = 361.0 kg, density (rho) = 2,789 kg/m^3
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    V=361.02789V = \dfrac{361.0}{2789}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    V = 0.1294\ \text{m^3}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning V = 0.1294 m^3 to

    ρ=mV\rho = \dfrac{m}{V}

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

Answer:
V = 0.1294\ \text{m^3}

Why the other options are there

  • 0.2589 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.0647 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 0.1424 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Density

Example 7
Hydraulic detention time — solve for detention time (case 2) — Steady-State Reactor Parameters (Constant Density Systems) (7)

A environmental engineering problem uses Hydraulic detention time. Given tank volume (V) = 935,000 gal; flow rate (Q) = 1,952,000 gal/day, determine the detention time (theta) in day.

Given

  • tankvolume(V)=935,000galtank volume (V) = 935,000 gal
  • flowrate(Q)=1,952,000gal/dayflow rate (Q) = 1,952,000 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)=935,000gal,flowrate(Q)=1,952,000gal/dayList the givens: tank volume (V) = 935,000 gal, flow rate (Q) = 1,952,000 gal/day
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    θ=0.4790 day\theta = 0.4790\ \text{day}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning theta = 0.4790 day to

    θ=V/Q\theta = V / Q

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

Answer:
θ=0.4790 day\theta = 0.4790\ \text{day}

Why the other options are there

  • 0.9580 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.2395 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 0.5269 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Steady-State Reactor Parameters (Constant Density Systems)

Example 8
Density — solve for density (case 2) — Steady-State Reactor Parameters (Constant Density Systems) (8)

density of a soil or waste material sample Given mass (m) = 52.0000 kg; volume (V) = 0.6380 m^3, determine the density (rho) in kg/m^3.

Given

  • mass(m)=52.0000kgmass (m) = 52.0000 kg
  • volume(V)=0.6380m3volume (V) = 0.6380 m^3

Find

density (rho), in kg/m^3

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Density.
  • Everything except rho is given, so isolate rho 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.
  • Density of a material sample is mass per unit volume, a fundamental property used throughout environmental engineering calculations.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    ρ=mV\rho = \dfrac{m}{V}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for rho:

    ρ=mV\rho = \dfrac{m}{V}
  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:mass(m)=52.0000kg,volume(V)=0.6380m3List the givens: mass (m) = 52.0000 kg, volume (V) = 0.6380 m^3
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    ρ=52.00000.6380\rho = \dfrac{52.0000}{0.6380}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    \rho = 81.5047\ \text{kg/m^3}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning rho = 81.5047 kg/m^3 to

    ρ=mV\rho = \dfrac{m}{V}

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

Answer:
\rho = 81.5047\ \text{kg/m^3}

Why the other options are there

  • 163.0 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 40.7524 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 89.6552 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Density

Example 9
Hydraulic detention time — solve for tank volume (case 2) — Steady-State Reactor Parameters (Constant Density Systems) (9)

A environmental engineering problem uses Hydraulic detention time. Given flow rate (Q) = 2,033,000 gal/day; detention time (theta) = 8.9400 day, determine the tank volume (V) in gal.

Given

  • flowrate(Q)=2,033,000gal/dayflow rate (Q) = 2,033,000 gal/day
  • detentiontime(theta)=8.9400daydetention time (theta) = 8.9400 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)=2,033,000gal/day,detentiontime(theta)=8.9400dayList the givens: flow rate (Q) = 2,033,000 gal/day, detention time (theta) = 8.9400 day
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    V=18175020 galV = 18175020\ \text{gal}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning V = 18,175,020 gal to

    θ=V/Q\theta = V / Q

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

Answer:
V=18175020 galV = 18175020\ \text{gal}

Why the other options are there

  • 36,350,040 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 9,087,510 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 19,992,522 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Steady-State Reactor Parameters (Constant Density Systems)

Example 10
Density — solve for mass (case 2) — Steady-State Reactor Parameters (Constant Density Systems) (10)

density calculation from measured mass and volume of a liquid sample Given volume (V) = 0.4750 m^3; density (rho) = 2,096 kg/m^3, determine the mass (m) in kg.

Given

  • volume(V)=0.4750m3volume (V) = 0.4750 m^3
  • density(rho)=2,096kg/m3density (rho) = 2,096 kg/m^3

Find

mass (m), in kg

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Density.
  • Everything except m is given, so isolate m 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.
  • Density of a material sample is mass per unit volume, a fundamental property used throughout environmental engineering calculations.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    ρ=mV\rho = \dfrac{m}{V}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for m:

    m=ρVm = \rho V
  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:volume(V)=0.4750m3,density(rho)=2,096kg/m3List the givens: volume (V) = 0.4750 m^3, density (rho) = 2,096 kg/m^3
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    m=20960.4750m = 2096 0.4750
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    m=995.6 kgm = 995.6\ \text{kg}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning m = 995.6 kg to

    ρ=mV\rho = \dfrac{m}{V}

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

Answer:
m=995.6 kgm = 995.6\ \text{kg}

Why the other options are there

  • 1,991 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 497.8 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 1,095 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Density

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