Equalization Tanks

Equalization tanks are used to balance fluctuating flows or concentrations in wastewater treatment systems.

There are three types of equalization tanks: flow through, intermittent flow, and variable inflow/constant discharge.

The capacity of an equalization tank is determined by plotting the cumulative inflow and a plot of the constant rate outflow and measuring the gaps between the two plots. A factor of safety may be applied if desired.

The benefits of using equalization tanks include balancing fluctuating flows or concentrations, assisting self neutralization, and evening out the effect of a periodic “slug” discharge from a batch process.