Question

What could happen if the backwash rate is too high?

A. Cavitation
B. Mudball formation
C. Excessive loss of filter media
D. Increase in head loss in the filter after backwashing has finished

Answer 1

If the backwash rate is too high in a filtration unit, it can lead to cavitation, mudball formation, excessive loss of filter media, and an increase in head loss in the filter.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the backwash rate is too high in a filtration unit, several negative consequences can occur:

1. Cavitation: High backwash rates can cause cavitation, which is the formation and collapse of air bubbles. Cavitation can damage the filter media and reduce its effectiveness.
2. Mudball formation: Excessive backwash rates can lead to the formation of mudballs, which are clumps of soil, debris, and filter media. Mudballs can clog the filter and reduce its efficiency.
3. Excessive loss of filter media: High backwash rates can cause the filter media to be washed out of the filtration unit. This leads to the loss of filter media, which reduces the filtration capacity of the unit.
4. Increase in head loss: After backwashing has finished, a high backwash rate can result in an increase in head loss in the filter. Head loss refers to the pressure drop across the filter, and an increase in head loss indicates reduced filtration efficiency.