Water Supply

Detention Time

Hydraulic detention (retention) time in a tank or basin. Used to size sedimentation tanks, contact tanks, and balancing reservoirs.

Formula
t = V / Q
Resultlive
Volume, V
100
Flow, Q
10L/s
Flow, Q
36m³/hr
Detention time
2.7778hours
Detention time
166.67minutes
Reference: Plug-flow hydraulic retention time. Real tanks show short-circuiting; actual mean residence time can be 50–80% of theoretical.