Turbidity & TSS

No, because the colour of the TSS is indeterminate.

I assume you're referring to drinking water treatment.

TSS cannot be found from turbidity, but the contribution to TSS from turbidity can be estimated as 2*NTU (if I remember right).

Again from memory, total solids production = 0.7*colour + 2*NTU + 15*dose of aluminium sulphate (though I could be wrong on the factors).

This is covered in Technical Report 189 by the Water Research Centre (WRc) in UK. Updated in 1997 by TT016. According to the web, TT016 is available for £50.

I thought I had a copy of TR189 but if so I can't find it (I'm retired). If it turns up I'll post again.

Cheers.......Codey

No.

(source: "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater", Method 214 Turbidity, paragraph 2)

"...........Attempts to corrolate turbidity with the weight concentration of suspended matter are impractical because the size, shape, and refractory index of the particulate materials are important optically but bear little direct relationship to the concentration and specific gravity of the suspended matter..........."

No.

There are some gainsayers out there, but I stick to my #2!

Below is an extract from the site where WRc TT016 is sold. It doesn't specifically say TT016 gives a formula for sludge production, but as it's an update of WRc TR189 I'd be very surprised if it doesn't. It may not give 0.1% accuracy but it's quite good enough for plant design. I've used TR189 for several water treatment projects and it's been OK. I'm surprised it's not available free on internet but I've searched and can't find it. If you can't get hold of it you could lash out £50 on TT016 .

Cheers......Codey

"Various waterworks sludges are produced as the result of water treatment: from the treatment of groundwaters by oxidation and filtration, from the softening of hard waters, and from the treatment of surface waters by slow sand filtration or by coagulation. Thickening and dewatering of these sludges give rise to waste liquors of varying qualities and quantities. The treatment and disposal of such sludges and waste liquors is a major concern of the water industry. Of value to engineers, scientists, operators and all those involved in waterworks sludge treatment and disposal, this application guide covers all aspects of treatment and disposal and updates WRc Technical Report TR189, Sludge Treatment Plant for Waterworks. Guidance is given on best practice, enabling efficient and cost-effective treatment and disposal of waterworks sludge to meet environmental and legislative requirements. The guide includes revised design procedures for sludge treatment plant, reviews legislative and environmental requirements, and reviews topics of particular relevance to waterworks sludge treatment and disposal.
Various waterworks sludges are produced as the result of water treatment: from the treatment of groundwaters by oxidation and filtration, from the softening of hard waters, and from the treatment of surface waters by slow sand filtration or by coagulation. Thickening and dewatering of these sludges give rise to waste liquors of varying qualities and quantities. The treatment and disposal of such sludges and waste liquors is a major concern of the water industry. Of value to engineers, scientists, operators and all those involved in waterworks sludge treatment and disposal, this application guide covers all aspects of treatment and disposal and updates WRc Technical Report TR189, Sludge Treatment Plant for Waterworks. Guidance is given on best practice, enabling efficient and cost-effective treatment and disposal of waterworks sludge to meet environmental and legislative requirements. The guide includes revised design procedures for sludge treatment plant, reviews legislative and environmental requirements, and reviews topics of particular relevance to waterworks sludge treatment and disposal."

There is no linear relationship between NTU and TSS in mg/L. So it is very difficult to convert directly to ppm. The particles that make up turbidity vary in shape and size and reflect light in different manners. Large particles can often be missed in measuring NTU turbidity if they are few in number. NTU does provide a good average and captures much of the smaller particles. A better method gaining more use in water treatment is to use particle counters and obtaining particle distribution values. The interpretation of the particle distribution is proving to be very valuable and should give you a better co-relationship between the density or volume of particles and simple light refraction of the NTU measurement. There is a heck of a lot of work going into these devices today. Municipalities are using them as a means of measuring the quality of water in the distribution system and possible bacterial contamination. I am providing this link that may help you understand these systems and I believe it gives a good relationship with NTU measuring vs particle distribution.