ABSTRACT
Flow-the quantity of water passing a point in a given unit of time. Flow may be laminar or turbulent. Laminar flow only occurs at extremely low velocities. The water moves in straight parallel lines, called laminae, or streamlines, which slide upon each other as they travel, rather than mixing up. The principle applies equally to open channel flow. Much of wastewater treatment is designed upon this principle, and detention times are developed from it. Water entering a wastewater treatment plant travels at scouring velocity coming down the pipe. Flow through a wastewater treatment plant is constantly fluctuating, but process treatment units are designed for an average, maximum or minimum flow, depending on the need. Under the assumption of steady state flow, the flow that enters the pipe is the same flow that exits the pipe.
