Filtration MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Filtration - Download Free PDF

Last updated on Jun 16, 2025

Latest Filtration MCQ Objective Questions

Filtration Question 1:

Which of the following is false about rapid gravity type filters used for water purification?

  1. Skilled supervision is essential
  2. Coagulation is not essential
  3. Depreciation of plant is high
  4. Operational cost is high

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : Coagulation is not essential

Filtration Question 1 Detailed Solution

Explanation:

Rapid Gravity Type Filters

  • Used for large-scale municipal water treatment to remove suspended solids after coagulation and flocculation.

  • Water passes rapidly through a sand bed under gravity (rate: 4,000–12,000 liters/m²/hr).

  • Coagulation is essential before filtration to form flocs for efficient removal.

  • Requires periodic backwashing (usually every 1–2 days) to clean clogged filter media.

  • Needs skilled supervision for operation, backwash management, and chemical handling.

  • Initial and operational costs are high compared to slow sand filters.

  • Removes turbidity, color, and microorganisms effectively when used with disinfection.

  • Typically consists of a filter bed (sand), underdrain system, and wash water troughs.

Additional InformationSlow Sand Filters:

  • Operate at a slow filtration rate (100–200 liters/m²/hr), much slower than rapid filters.

  • Mainly used in small-scale or rural water treatment plants with low turbidity water.

  • Filtration is done through a fine sand bed, forming a biologically active layer called schmutzdecke on top.

  • No need for coagulation or chemical treatment before filtration.

  • Require large land area due to slow filtration rate and longer filter runs.

  • Cleaning is done by scraping the top sand layer, not backwashing.

  • Low operational cost and does not require highly skilled supervision.

  • Effective in removing bacteria, turbidity, and pathogens through biological and physical processes.

Filtration Question 2:

The depth of a slow sand filter is up to _______.

  1. 1 to 1.5 m
  2. 2.5 to 3.5 m
  3. 4 to 5 m
  4. 5 to 6 m
  5. None of the above

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : 2.5 to 3.5 m

Filtration Question 2 Detailed Solution

Explanation:

Slow sand filter

Rapid sand filter

Low Rate of Filtration (100 - 200 l/hr/m2)

High Rate of filtration (3000 - 6000 l/hr/m2)

Larger surface area (200 - 2000 m2)

Smaller surface area (80 - 200 m2)

The efficiency of about 99% may be achieved The efficiency of about 95% may be achieved

Larger total depth (2.5 - 3.5 meters)

Smaller depth (2.5 - 3 meters)

Pre-treatment not required

Pre-treatment compulsory

Post-treatment optional

Post-treatment compulsory

Sand filter characteristics

Grain size - 0.15 to 0.30 mm

Coefficient of uniformity (grain) - 1.8 to 2.7

Sand filter characteristics

Grain size - 0.35 to 0.55 mm

Coefficient of uniformity (grain)- 1.2 to 1.7

Drainage: Lateral Drainage System

Drainage: Central Drainage System

Filtration Question 3:

The correct order of filter materials (Sand, Anthracite Coal, Garnet) to be provided in a multi-media gravity filter from Bottom to top is:

  1. Garnet, Sand, Anthracite Coal
  2. Sand, Anthracite Coal, Garnet
  3. Anthracite Coal, Garnet, Sand
  4. Anthracite Coal, Sand, Garnet
  5. None of the above

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : Garnet, Sand, Anthracite Coal

Filtration Question 3 Detailed Solution

Concepts:

Filters are classified into three types as follows, according to the types of media used:  

Single-media filters: These filters have only one type of media and either sand or crushed anthracite coal is used as filter media.

Dual-media filters: These filters have two types of media and usually anthracite coal and sand are used as filter media.

Multi-media filters: These filters have three types of media and usually crushed anthracite coal, sand, and garnet are used as filter media.

The ideal filter is one in which pore size is increasing from bottom to top. This is done so that maximum pore volume is available at the top of the bed and gradually decreases to a minimum at the bottom. Also, the media have a gradation which is from coarse at the top to fine at the bottom.

 Based on the above two facts different filter media are arranged in the following way:

For a dual-media filter: The correct order filter material from bottom to top is sand and anthracite coal.

For Multi-Media filters: The correct order filter material from bottom to top is garnet, sand, and anthracite coal.  Garnet is placed at the bottom because it is very dense.

Filtration Question 4:

In slow sand filters, the turbidity of raw water can be removed only up to

  1. 60 mg / litre
  2. 75 mg / litre
  3. 100 mg / litre
  4. 150 mg / litre

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : 60 mg / litre

Filtration Question 4 Detailed Solution

Explanation:

Slow Sand Filters

Slow sand filters are effective in treating raw water by removing turbidity, but their efficiency is limited to a certain threshold. This threshold is determined by the filter's ability to handle suspended solids without clogging and maintaining a proper filtration rate. The maximum turbidity level that slow sand filters can handle is discussed below:

  • Key Design Considerations: Slow sand filters are designed for low turbidity levels, making them suitable for water with limited suspended solids.

  • Maximum Turbidity: The raw water turbidity that can be effectively treated by slow sand filters is up to 60 mg/litre.

  • Clogging Issues: Higher turbidity levels (above 60 mg/litre) can lead to clogging of the filter bed, reducing efficiency.

Analyzing the Given Options

  1. Option 1: 60 mg/litre (Correct Answer)

    • Slow sand filters are designed to handle a turbidity of up to 60 mg/litre efficiently without clogging.

    • This is the recommended limit for ensuring optimal performance.

  2. Option 2: 75 mg/litre (Incorrect)

    • While slow sand filters might function at 75 mg/litre, their efficiency drastically decreases.

    • This turbidity level can cause frequent clogging, requiring more maintenance.

  3. Option 3: 100 mg/litre (Incorrect)

    • 100 mg/litre is beyond the capacity of slow sand filters to operate effectively.

    • This level of turbidity would require pre-treatment before filtration.

  4. Option 4: 150 mg/litre (Incorrect)

    • 150 mg/litre is far beyond the design capacity of slow sand filters.

    • Such high turbidity levels would lead to immediate clogging and failure of the filter bed.

Filtration Question 5:

A city has a population of 100,000 with an average rate of demand of 160 litres of water per head per day. Find the area of rapid sand filter if the filtration rate is 4500 litres per hour per m2.

  1. 222.2 m2
  2. 160 m2
  3. 148.13 m2
  4. 445.5 m2

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : 148.13 m2

Filtration Question 5 Detailed Solution

Concept:

To calculate the area of a rapid sand filter, use:

\( \text{Area} = \frac{\text{Total Water Demand (litres/hour)}}{\text{Filtration Rate}} \)

  • Population = 100,000
  • Demand per person = 160 litres/day
  • Filtration rate = 4500 litres/hour/m²

Total hourly demand = \( \frac{100000 \times 160}{24} = 666666.67 \) litres/hour

Area = \( \frac{666666.67}{4500} \approx 148.15 \, \text{m}^2 \)

Top Filtration MCQ Objective Questions

Select the correct statement with respect to a slow sand filter.

  1. The rate of filtration is in the range of 100-150 m3/m2/day.
  2. The effective size of sand particles shall be 0.15 to 0.3 mm, and their uniformity coefficient shall be preferably below 3.
  3. Backwashing daily or on alternate days is necessary for cleaning.
  4. The filtering medium has effective size 0.45 to 0.7 mm, uniformity coefficient 1.3 to 1.7, multiple graded layers of sand with bacteria and odour removal.

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : The effective size of sand particles shall be 0.15 to 0.3 mm, and their uniformity coefficient shall be preferably below 3.

Filtration Question 6 Detailed Solution

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Explanation:

Item

Slow Sand Filter

Rapid Sand Filter

Pre-treatment

Not required except plain sedimentation

Coagulation, Flocculation, and Sedimentation

Base materials

Gravel base of 30 to 75 cm depth with 3 to 65 mm size graded gravel.

Gravel base of 45 to 50 cm depth with gravel size varies from 3 to 50 mm in 4 or 5 layers

Filter sand

  • Effective size
  • Uniformity coefficient
  • The thickness of sand bed
  • 0.2 to 0.4 mm
  • 1.8 - 3
  • 90 to 110 cm
  • 0.35 to 0.55 mm
  • 1.3 to 1.7
  • 60 to 75 cm

Under drainage system

Open jointed pipes or drains covered with perforated blocks

Perforated pipe laterals discharging into the main header

Size of each unit

50 to 200 sq.m

10 to 100 sq.m

Rate of filtration

100 to 200 Lph/sq.m

4800 to 7200 Lph/sq.m

Cost

  • Installation
  • O & M
  • High
  • Low
  • Low
  • High

Efficiency

  • Turbidity of feed water
  • Removal of bacteria

Low; < 30 NTU

98 to 99%

Any level of turbidity of feed water; (with pre-treatment) 80 to 90%

Suitability

For water supply to rural areas and small town

For public water supply to towns and cities

Post-treatment

Slight disinfection

Complete disinfection is a must

Ease of constructive

Simple

Complicated;

Skilled supervision

Not essential

Essential

Loss of head

  • Initial
  • Final
  • 10c m
  • 80 to 120 cm
  • 30 cm
  • 250 to 350 cm

Method of cleaning

  • Scrapping and removing Schmutzedecke and 1.5 to 3 cm thick sand layer
  • Laborious
  • Backwashing with or without compressed air agitation
  • Simple and easy

Quantity of wash water required

0.2 to 0.5% of total water filtered

1 to 5% of the total water filtered

Cleaning Interval

Three to four months

One to two days

For a slow sand filter

The rate of filtration is 100 - 200 lit/hour/sqm

A village has a population of 200 with an average rate of water demand of 100 litres per capita per day. A rapid sand filter having an average filtration rate of 100 liter/hour/m2 is to be designed for water treatment. The area of rapid sand filter required is:

(Take the ratio of maximum demand to average demand as 1.5)

  1. 14.50 m2
  2. 8.00 m2
  3. 12.50 m2
  4. 10.00 m2

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : 12.50 m2

Filtration Question 7 Detailed Solution

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Explanation:

Given Data:

Village population = 200

The average rate of water demand = 100 litres per capita per day

average filtration rate = 100 liter/hour/m2 = 100 x 24 liter/day/m2

Ratio of maximum demand to average demand = 1.5

Design dicharge = 1.5 x Village population x average rate of water demand

= 1.5 x 200 x 100 = 30000 liter/day/m2

Area of rapid sand filter = \(\frac{Design \ discharge}{Average \ filtration \ rate}\)

Area of rapid sand filter = \(\frac{30000}{100\ \times 24}\)

Area of rapid sand filter = 12.5 m2

Additional InformationFor Rapid Sand Filter

  • Numbers of filters (N) = 1.22 \(\sqrt (\)Q), where Q is in MLD
  • Total cross-sectional area of perforations = 0.2% of filtered area
  • Cross-sectional area of on lateral is 2 or 4 times the total cross-sectional area of perforation.

A water treatment plant of capacity, 1 m3/s has filter boxes of dimensions 6 m × 10 m. The loading rate to the filters is 120 m3/day/m2. When two of the filters are out of service for back washing, the loading rate (in m3/day/m2) is

  1. 144
  2. 122
  3. 133
  4. 124

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : 144

Filtration Question 8 Detailed Solution

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Concept:

Area of filtration = Capacity/Loading rate to the filters

Number of filters = Area of filtration/Area of one filter

Given:

Capacity of plant = 1m3/s = 3600 × 24 = 86400 m3/day

Loading rate to the filters = 120 m3/day/m2

Calculation:

Area of filtration = 86400/120 = 720 m2

Number of filters required = 720/(6 × 10) = 12

When two filters are out of service for backwashing then number of filters available = 12 - 2 = 10

Area of filtration available = 60 × 10 = 600 m2

∴Loading rate = 86400/600 = 144 m3/day/m2

The effective size of the sand particles used in the top layer of slow sand filter is in the range of:

  1. 0.45 to 0.70 mm
  2. 0.40 to 0.60 mm
  3. 0.20 to 0.30 mm
  4. 0.35 to 0.55 mm

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : 0.20 to 0.30 mm

Filtration Question 9 Detailed Solution

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Explanation:

Slow sand filter

Rapid sand filter

Low Rate of Filtration (100 - 200 l/hr/m2)

High Rate of filtration (3000 - 6000 l/hr/m2)

Larger surface area (200 - 2000 m2)

Smaller surface area (80 - 200 m2)

Larger total depth (3 - 3.5 meters)

Smaller depth (2.5 - 3 meters)

Pre-treatment not required

Pre-treatment compulsory

Post-treatment optional

Post-treatment compulsory

Sand filter characteristics

Grain size - 0.15 to 0.30 mm

Coefficient of uniformity (grain) - 1.8 to 2.5 or 3.

Sand filter characteristics

Grain size - 0.35 to 0.55 mm

Coefficient of uniformity (grain)- 1.2 to 1.7

Drainage: Lateral Drainage System

Drainage: Central Drainage System

Which of the following is false about rapid gravity type filters used for water purification?

  1. Skilled supervision is essential
  2. Operational cost is high
  3. Depreciation of plant is high
  4. Coagulation is not essential

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : Coagulation is not essential

Filtration Question 10 Detailed Solution

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Explanation:

Slow sand/gravity filter and rapid gravity/sand filter:

 

Slow sand filter

Rapid sand filter

Pre-treatment

Effluents from plain sedimentation coagulation, not req.

Coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation are a must, as the size of the particle is less and they don't get enough time to settle down on their own

Depreciation Relatively low Relatively high
Supervision No skilled supervision Skilled supervision required
Operational cost Less

More

Filter 

Sand

D10 b/w 0.2 and 0.4 mm

Cu ⇒ 1.8 to 3.

Gravel: 30-75 cm thick

D10 = 0.35 mm - 0.55 mm

Cu = 1.2 to 1.8

Gravel: 60-90 cm thick

Size of each unit

Large such as 30 m × 60 m.

An area from 100 - 2000 m2.

Less flexible on shock loading

Small 5 m × 8 m.

Area < 100 m2

More flexible on shock loading

Rate of filtration

100 to 200 l/hr/m2

3000 to 6000 l/hr/m2

Efficiency

Very efficient in removing bacteria but less efficient in removing color.

Less efficient in bacteria (80 - 90 %), very efficient in color removal.

Post-treatment

Disinfection is not a must. Almost pure water was obtained.

Turbidity removal up to 50 ppm

Disinfection is a must.

Turbidity up to 35 ppm.

Method of cleaning

Scrapping and removing the top 1.5 to 3 cm thick layer and washing down by hoses.

Backwashing with or without compressed air.

Qty

of wash water req.

0.2 to 0.6 % of total filtered water is req. in every 1 to 3 months

A large amount of total filtered water is req. in every 1 to 3 days (1 - 5 %)

Hence, coagulation is an essential pre-treatment for rapid gravity-type filters.

Additional Information

Pressure filter

The difference between the rapid sand filters and pressure filters:

  • The flow of water is not under gravity. This implies that water inside the closed chamber is under pressure.
  • The diameter of the tank is 1.5 m - 3 m and the height or length is 3.5 to 8 m.
  • Operation is the same as rapid gravity filter.
  • Rate of filtration is 6000 - 15000 l/m2/hr.

In a slow sand filter, the effective size of sand varies from ______ to ______.

  1. 0.20 mm, 0.30 mm
  2. 0.5 mm, 0.75 mm
  3. 1 mm, 2 mm
  4. 0.1 mm, 15 mm

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : 0.20 mm, 0.30 mm

Filtration Question 11 Detailed Solution

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Explanation:

Slow sand filter

Rapid sand filter

Low Rate of Filtration (100 - 200 l/hr/m2)

High Rate of filtration (3000 - 6000 l/hr/m2)

Larger surface area (200 - 2000 m2)

Smaller surface area (80 - 200 m2)

Larger total depth (3 - 3.5 meters)

Smaller depth (2.5 - 3 meters)

Pre-treatment not required

Pre-treatment compulsory

Post-treatment optional

Post-treatment compulsory

Sand filter characteristics

Grain size - 0.20 to 0.40 mm

Coefficient of uniformity (grain) - 1.8 to 2.5

Sand filter characteristics

Grain size - 0.35 to 0.55 mm

Coefficient of uniformity (grain)- 1.2 to 1.8

Drainage: Lateral Drainage System

Drainage: Central Drainage System

Rate of filtration (Ltr/hr/m2) for Rapid sand filter ranges from

  1. 10 to 100
  2. 3000 to 6000
  3. 8000 to 10000
  4. 100 to 3000

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : 3000 to 6000

Filtration Question 12 Detailed Solution

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Explanation:

Comparison of slow and rapid sand filters is shown below:

Slow sand filter

Rapid sand filter

Low Rate of Filtration (100 - 200 l/hr/m2)

High Rate of filtration (3000 - 6000 l/hr/m2)

Larger surface area (200 - 2000 m2)

Smaller surface area (80 - 200 m2)

Efficiency of about 99% may be achieved Efficiency of about 95% may be achieved

Larger total depth (3 - 3.5 meters)

Smaller depth (2.5 - 3 meters)

Pre-treatment not required

Pre-treatment compulsory

Post-treatment optional

Post-treatment compulsory

Sand filter characteristics

Grain size - 0.15 to 0.30 mm

Coefficient of uniformity (grain) - 1.8 to 2.7

Sand filter characteristics

Grain size - 0.35 to 0.55 mm

Coefficient of uniformity (grain)- 1.2 to 1.7

Drainage: Lateral Drainage System

Drainage: Central Drainage System

 

Slow sand filtering removes the turbidity of raw water upto-

  1. 40 mg/l
  2. 60 mg/l
  3. 100 mg/l
  4. 80 mg/l

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : 60 mg/l

Filtration Question 13 Detailed Solution

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Explanation:

Slow sand filter:

(i) The first filter to be used on a widespread basis for water purification were slow sand filters. These filters were constructed of fine sand with an effective size of about 0.2 mm.

Efficiency of Slow Sand Filters:

1. Bacterial Load:

(i) The slow sand filters are highly efficient in the removal of bacterial load from water. It is expected that they may remove about 98 to 99% of bacterial load from raw water. However, for complete removal of bacteria, disinfection is essential.

2. Colour:

(i) The slow sand filters are less efficient in the removal of colour of raw water. It is estimated that they remove about 20 to 25% colour of raw water.

3. Turbidity:

(i) The slow sand filters can remove turbidity to the extent of about 50 ppm. For water having greater turbidity than 60 ppm, it is necessary to give preliminary treatment.

What is the rapid sand filter surface are required for filtering of 10 MLD water assuming a filtration rate of 100,000 l / m2/ day?

  1. 100 m2
  2. 10 m2
  3. 1 m2
  4. 1000 m2

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : 100 m2

Filtration Question 14 Detailed Solution

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Concept:

Rapid Sand Filter:

  • Rapid sand filters use relatively coarse sand and other granular media to remove particles and impurities that have been trapped in a flocculation process.
  • The unfiltered water flows through the filter medium under gravity or under pumped pressure and the material is trapped in the sand matrix surfaces.
  • Rapid sand filters must be cleaned frequently by backwashing, which involves reversing the direction of the water and adding compressed air.


For rapid sand filter, Surface area of filter required = Flow rate/ rate of filtration.

Calculations:

Given, Flow rate = 10 MLD = 10 × 106 litres/day and rate of filtration = 100,000 litres/day per m2

∴ Surface area of filter required \({\rm{}} = \frac{{10{\rm{\;}} \times {\rm{\;}}{{10}^6}{\rm{\;litres}}/{\rm{day\;}}}}{{100,000{\rm{\;litres}}/{\rm{day\;per\;}}{{\rm{m}}^2}}} = 100{\rm{\;}}{{\rm{m}}^2}\)

What is the range of effective size of sand particles (mm) used in slow sand filters?

  1. 0.25 - 0.35
  2. 0.45 - 0.55
  3. 0.35 - 0.45
  4. 0.15 - 0.25

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : 0.25 - 0.35

Filtration Question 15 Detailed Solution

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Explanation:

Slow sand filter

Rapid sand filter

Low Rate of Filtration (100 - 200 l/hr/m2)

High Rate of filtration (3000 - 6000 l/hr/m2)

Larger surface area (200 - 2000 m2)

Smaller surface area (80 - 200 m2)

Larger total depth (3 - 3.5 meters)

Smaller depth (2.5 - 3 meters)

Pre-treatment not required

Pre-treatment compulsory

Post-treatment optional

Post-treatment compulsory

Sand filter characteristics

Grain size - 0.20 to 0.40 mm

Coefficient of uniformity (grain) - 2 to 3

Sand filter characteristics

Grain size - 0.35 to 0.55 mm

Coefficient of uniformity (grain)- 1.2 to 1.8

Drainage: Lateral Drainage System

Drainage: Central Drainage System

Hence, the most appropriate answer is option 1.

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