Food waste particles: An under-explored class of sediment transport

Food waste particles are a relatively unexplored category of solid particles that enter the sewer network, frequently via a Food Waste Disposer (FWD). It is unknown what settling and transport characteristics they possess and how this differs from traditional sediments, or how they interact with existing assets. This work examined typical foods, examining the particle size distribution on a phi scale, and showed there is a normal distribution of food particles with a peak at the -1 phi sieve (2mm). The maximum settling velocity ranges from 0-0.07 m/s, equivalent to the settling velocity of very fine sand, something which would not be expected to deposit in-sewer.