"Wisdom begins in wonder" – Socrates
Subcritical Flow
03/30/26
“What are the special properties of slow-moving, tranquil flows in channels?”
Slow-moving, tranquil flows in channels may seem simple. But if you dig deeper, you will find it more interesting. These flows, known as Subcritical Flows, are typically deep and dominated by gravity. The slow-moving and gravity-centric flow can be greatly affected by downstream elements like dams because it does not have enough momentum to overcome such heavy changes.
Dimensionless Henry’s Law Constant
03/29/26
“How can we quantify whether a substance is likely to stay in water or escape as water?”
Some substances escape from water solutions quickly, like volatile organic compounds, while others stay contentedly in water. We can find this out by taking the ratio of the concentration in vapor to the concentration in water, represented by the Dimensionless Henry’s Law Constant. The dimensionless Henry’s Law constant is equal to the regular Henry’s Law Coefficient divided by the universal gas constant and the temperature.
HDPE Pipes
03/28/26
“What material makes durable, flexible, long-lasting pipes?”
Many old pipes have issues with corrosion, leakages, and longevity. High-density polyethylene pipes, or HDPE Pipes, use a type of plastic that makes them durable, flexible, and long-lasting. Consequently, HDPE pipes are extensively used in long-distance transport applications.
Image credit: https://www.piedmontplastics.com/
When to Use The Manning vs. Hazen-Williams Equation
03/27/29
“When do we use the Manning vs Hazen-Williams Equation?”
People use both the Manning and Hazen-Williams equations to calculate water flow. But when is the right time to use each? Well, the Manning Equation is used for open channel or partially full sewers, while the Hazen-Williams Equation is used for full, pressurized circular pipe flow. Keep this information in mind when you think about When to Use The Manning vs. Hazen-Williams Equation.
The Hydroxyl Group
03/26/26
“What makes organic molecules covalently bonded with an oxygen-hydrogen pair so special?”
Functional groups come in many shapes and sizes. Any organic molecule covalently bonded with an oxygen-hydrogen pair is a part of The Hydroxyl Group. Hydroxyl group molecules are water-soluble, have high boiling points, and are often reactive.
Plumbing Fixtures
03/25/26
“What do we call household devices that connect to the plumbing system?”
Water to your house on demand is becoming more common around the world. Devices that can attach to the plumbing system are known as Plumbing Fixtures. Example fixtures include bathtubs, showers, toilets, and sinks.
Surface Overflow Rate vs Weir Overflow Rate
03/24/26
“What’s the difference between the surface and weir overflow rate in environmental engineering?”
Environmental engineers often have to contend with surface overflow rates and weir overflow rates. But what do these mean, and how are they different? Well, the surface overflow rate measures the upward flow of water per surface area of a sedimentation tank/clarifier to determine if physical particles will settle out. In contrast, the weir overflow rate measures the flow volume moving along the length of the weir per weir length. The weir overflow rate determines how turbulent the incoming water over a weir is and how that might affect effluent quality. This is the difference between Surface Overflow Rates vs Weir Overflow Rates.
Air Stripping Factor
03/23/26
“How can we quantify the effectiveness of an air stripper at removing contaminants?”
Air stripping towers are a wonder to behold. People will want to select an air stripping tower model based on whatever has the best effectiveness. This is summarized by the Air Stripping Factor, which is proportional to the volumetric air-to-weight ratio multiplied by Henry’s constant. The higher the air stripping factor, the better the tower will perform.
Image credit: https://deltacooling.com/
Activated Carbon
03/22/26
“How can we use extremely dense carbon to filter water?”
Certain materials are good at filtering water. One of them is Activated Carbon. Activated carbon is hyperdense with tiny pores (often over 3,000 square meters per gram), which can adsorb water contaminants on its interior surface. Activated carbon pores will fill up over time and will need to be cleaned out.
Image credit: https://www.thoughtco.com/
Isaac's Science Blog 