Suspension concentration profiles during rapid gravity filter backwashing

Rapid gravity, granular media filters are widely used in the water and wastewater treatment industries. Regular backwashing to clean the filters is a vital part of their efficient operation. Experimental data on the development of suspension concentration profiles through laboratory scale filter beds during the backwash process were obtained. Previous attempts to obtain and record backwash profiles of this type have been unsuccessful due to the limited range of existing turbidimeters. The results have been used to validate a new model developed by the authors.