DO Sag Curve (Streeter-

Phelps)

1
Objectives

 Draw and discuss the DO sag curve

 Calculate DO and solve for a variety of

unknowns using the DO sag equation

2
 Typical DO sag curve
Initial
10 Saturation DO (Dos)
Deficit (Da)
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)

8
Deficit
6
Critical
4
Point
DO Concentration (DO)
2
tc

2 4 6 8 10
Travel Time (d)
3
What we’re trying to accomplish
and how we’re going to do it
 Calculate the dissolved oxygen deficit using mass
balance equation
 Start with simplified model and calculation
 BOD

 Reaeration

 Initial DO reduction

 Add some more components to the model

 Get an equation for D (dissolved oxygen deficit)
 Get an equation for tc, the “critical time” when the
dissolved oxygen is at its lowest point

4
Very Simplified Model

 Assume plug-flow and define the control volume as a

unit rectangle
 Follow the movement of the plug which tracks the
pollution downstream
 Determine the initial oxygen content after mixing (La)

5
Mass-Balance for Initial Condition

Qr, Lr, Tr Qa, La, Tf (Ta)

Qw, Lw, Tw

6
Account for other DO gain/loss
processes Reaeration Decay

Qr, Lr, Tr Qa, La, Tf (Ta)

Qw, Lw, Tw

7
Why We Do All of This
 To determine how much waste can safely be put in a
river
 Process
 Determine minimum acceptable DO
 Calculate waste load that keeps critical DO above the
minimum
 If discharged waste is above acceptable limits:
 More treatment needed
 Discharger may add dissolved oxygen to wastewater
 Cautions
 Be sure to make calculations for worst conditions
 Remember to consider all dischargers