Re-Entrant Orifices

 Re-Entrant Orifices

 Re-Entrant Orifices

07/03/26

“What’s so special about orifices that extend into their container?”

Orifices are openings in containers. In water systems, they’re pipes that allow for gravity-based release. Orifices whose pipe extends into the tank itself are called Re-Entrant Orifices. For these orifices, the water will flow to the tube from all directions, leading to a sharp turn inwards and a significant stream contraction, leading to a jetting on the other end. These features lead to a smaller discharge coefficient, thereby limiting flow. Re-entrant orifices are useful for applications where flow downstream of the container must be controlled.

Image credit: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/

Drainage Rings 

Drainage Rings 

Drainage Rings 

07/02/26

“How can we use rings to facilitate floodwater infiltration?”

Infiltration can be a very useful stormwater control method. However, too much water impacting the surface at once can overwhelm soil and hinder infiltration. We can address this by placing solid Drainage Rings in the Earth to store water while seeping it out at controlled rates to the surrounding dirt. Drainage rings are commonly surrounded by stone drainage media for additional support. Drainage rings are a central component of drywell systems.

Ghost Forests

Ghost Forests

Ghost Forests

07/01/26

“How can saltwater intrusion seriously harm forests?”

Saltwater damages freshwater trees. Consequently, saltwater intrusion into coastal forests leads to wide swaths of destruction, leaving Ghost Forests in its wake. Sea-level rise from climate change is already leading to a proliferation of ghost forests. Ghost forests are an increasingly common sight in the U.S. Southeast.

Hypertrophic Lakes

Hypertrophic Lakes

Hypertrophic Lakes

06/30/26

“What is the highest level of algal contamination for lakes?”

A lake’s trophic state index determines its algal power. Lakes at the highest end of the index (above 70) are classified as Hypertrophic Lakes. Hypertrophic lakes have very poor water quality and low water visibility. Algal overgrowth can be so intense that animals die off en masse from lack of dissolved oxygen.

Drainage Media

Drainage Media

Drainage Media

06/29/26

“How can we use permeable material to improve drainage systems?”

Drainage systems transport water from one place to another. Sometimes, drainage systems will need additional material to improve performance and prevent soil clogging. This usually consists of Drainage Media composed of permeable material, such as crushed stone or plastic media with voids, surrounding the drainage system to assist with infiltration into nearby soil.

Trophic State Index

Trophic State Index

Trophic State Index

06/28/26

“How can we quantify algal bloom intensity?”

Algal blooms in water bodies result from high nutrient load and strong environmental conditions. The associated biological productivity can be measured by the Trophic State Index. The trophic state index captures the amount of light striking the surface of a water body, the concentration of particulate matter, and the physical measuring depth to determine the algal bloom intensity.

Sewer Manholes

Sewer Manholes

Sewer Manholes

06/27/26

“How can we inspect and maintain sewer systems from above ground?”

Sewer systems are the foundation of water and wastewater infrastructure for billions of people. Like any piece of infrastructure, they will break down from time to time. What makes repairing them challenging is their underground location. To access them without breaking down the entire system, people have built vertical shafts called Sewer Manholes. Sewer manholes are typically placed at the junctions of different sewer pipes since these are the most failure points in the system. In fact, manholes themselves act as the junction.

Pipe Fittings

Pipe Fittings

Pipe Fittings

06/26/26

“How can we connect different sections of pipe?”

Pipes come in separate sections. Sometimes they have different sizes, different shapes, or proposed directions. So how can we connect them together? Well, what if we used small adapters called Pipe Fittings to serve as connection points? Pipe fittings can make these connections to hook pipes together, even with different geometries or directions. Pump fittings connect pumps to pipes. Pipe fittings are vital components to modern plumbing.

Why Saltwater Kills Freshwater Trees

Why Saltwater Kills Freshwater Trees

Why Saltwater Kills Freshwater Trees

06/25/26

“Why does saltwater kill freshwater trees?”

Trees require water to live. However, saltwater is toxic to trees not adapted to it. Saltwater impedes roots’ ability to absorb water, is toxic to plant cells, damages roots, and hurts oxygen delivery to trees. This is Why Saltwater Kills Freshwater Trees.