Florida Drinking Water Operator "B" Practice Test

As the uniformity coefficient decreases, what effect does this have on the relative size of the filter media?

1. Media particle size becomes more uniform

2. Media particle size becomes less uniform

3. Media particle size increases significantly

4. Media particle size remains unchanged

The correct answer is: Media particle size becomes more uniform

As the uniformity coefficient decreases, the filter media particle size becomes more uniform. The uniformity coefficient is a measure of the distribution of particle sizes within the filter media. A lower uniformity coefficient indicates that the particles are closer in size to one another, resulting in a more homogeneous mix of filter media. When the media particle size is uniform, it can lead to more efficient filtration because the smaller gaps between similarly sized particles reduce the possibility of larger particles passing through unfiltered. This characteristic contributes to a more effective removal of contaminants from water as the flow through the media is more predictable and controlled. In general, a well-defined and uniform particle size in filter media is crucial in applications like water treatment, as it directly affects the filtration rate, the development of biofilms, and ultimately, the quality of the effluent.