What materials are the bafflers in a clarifier typically made of?

• A. Metal and plastic.
• B. Wood or fiberglass.
• C. Glass or plexiglass.
• D. Aluminum.

Answer: (B)

Baffles in a clarifier are chosen for durability in a harsh wastewater environment and for ease of fabrication and installation. Wood has long been used because it is inexpensive, easy to shape on site, and provides enough strength for many installations. Fiberglass (FRP) is common in modern plants because it resists corrosion from sewage, is lightweight, and can be molded into the required shapes while offering good strength. Metals can corrode in the wastewater, and glass or Plexiglas would be brittle and impractical for large submerged panels; aluminum can also corrode under these conditions. So, wood or fiberglass cover the typical, practical materials you’d expect for bafflers in a clarifier.