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The empirical optimal plant flow is much lower than the 100 mL/min design flow. This is most likely due to design flaws in the sedimentation tank. We thought that the parallel lamellas design would equalize the flow paths, and thus the flow rates, in each lamella, but this was not the case. We still observed faster flow rates through some of the lamellas, resulting in a settling time that was shorter than that required in the design. Thus, when plant flow rate was decreased, resulting in a longer settling time, the flocs had a more adequate amount of time to settle out, and effluent turbidity decreased.

Finally, we have confirmed that the vertical sections of the flocculator contribute significantly to flocculation and cannot be neglected at this scale.