Reaeration in sewers

The sewer system is a very dynamic system with an abundance of mass transfer processes and transformations. A key process is the mass exchange between the wastewater and the sewer atmosphere. An equation that describes the gas–liquid mass transfer under different hydrodynamic conditions is essential when sewer processes are to be quantified or modelled. In this work, a calibrated reaeration equation is proposed. It is based on the shear Reynolds and the Froude number to correct the increased gas–liquid interface roughness to higher flow rates. The equation was calibrated with previously published data and with new data. This data was obtained with a safe and environmentally friendly gas tracer method for gravity sewers based on the inert gas sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), a new method for the sewer system. Measurements were conducted in four channels under different conditions. The resulting equation will allow for more accurate simulations of the sewer system. Finally, the effect of reaeration with regard to the oxygen consuming processes for different hydrodynamic conditions is discussed.