Batch Sedimentation

ADAMSON UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
UNIT OPERATIONS LAB 2
Experiment No. 2
BATCH SEDIMENTATION
Submitted by:
Arnuco, Arjay
Baligod, Jeffrey
Bernales, Candice Gareth
Lorenzo, Jan Zedric
Mata, Arrianne Jaye
Mercado, Roger Jayson
Submitted to:
Engr. Rugi Vicente Rubi
I. Introduction
Sedimentation is the process of allowing particles in suspension in water to settle out of
the suspension under the effect of gravity. The particles that settle out from the suspension
become sediment, and in water treatment is known as sludge. When a thick layer of sediment
continues to settle, this is known as consolidation. When consolidation of sediment, or sludge, is
assisted by mechanical means then this is known as thickening.
Sedimentation is one of several methods for application prior to filtration: other options
include dissolved air flotation and some methods of filtration. Generically, such solids-liquid
separation processes are sometimes referred to as clarification processes.
In this experiment, the apparatus that will be used is consisting of five transparent glass
sedimentation columns that have graduation mounted on a rigid frame suitable for bench
mounting. The rare panel is of translucent white plastic and back lighting is provided to enhance
observation of settling sediments in the columns. The settlement depth can be measured and a
stop watch is needed to determine the settling time. Several zones will be established. The zone
of settled solids that predominantly includes heavier faster-settling particles is the Zone D. The
region of variable size distribution and non-uniform concentration is the Zone C while Zone B is
a uniform concentration zone. At the top of region B is a boundary above which is clear liquid
called region A.
The rate of settling or sedimentation rate of solid particles in the columns can be
expressed in terms of height z. in free settling zone, the terminal velocity, Ut, of a is by
U t =( Zo Z c ) / c
Where:
Zo= initial height of the slurry
Zc= height of the interface between the clear liquid and slurry when zone B
disappears
c= time when the solid particles reach Zc from Zo
The rate of settling in the transition region can be neglected while in the hindered settling
zone C, the rate of settling can be observed to follow approximately the equation
U t =( d z /d )=k ( ZZ + )
Where:
Z= height of the interface between the clear liquid and the slurry at any time
Z= final/ultimate height of the sludge
k= constant for a given suspension
Rearranging and integrating, the equation becomes
k ( c )=ln [ ( Z c Z ) / ( ZZ ) ]
II. Methodology
The experiment involves the analysis of the effect of varying the height of the slurry and
their concentrations on the sedimentation properties. To determine the effect of initial slurry
height on sedimentation properties, 1 kg of Kaolin in a Ro Tap sieve shaker was screened
approximately to obtain minus 100 mesh particle size and plus 60 mesh particle size Kaolin.
After 5 cylinders in the sedimentation study apparatus was labeled. Five mixtures was prepared
namely Mixture A with 900 ml of 5% wt Kaolin (minus 100 mesh particle size), Mixture B with
900 ml of 5% wt Kaolin (plus 60 mesh particle size), Mixture C with 900 ml of 10% wt Kaolin
(plus 60 mesh particle size), Mixture D with 600 ml of 5% wt Kaolin (plus 60 mesh particle size)
and Mixture E with 600 ml of 5% wt Kaolin (minus 100 mesh particle size). The mixtures were
poured into the cylinders in the sedimentation studies apparatus. The initial heights, temperature
of the mixture and inside diameter of the cylinders were recorded. After monitoring the height of
the clear liquid, slurry and the sediments for every two minutes of the five mixtures, the mixtures
were stand overnight for the final height is determined.
III. Data and Results
APPENDIX A: Experimental Data

Cylinder A
Initial height of Slurry
Volume of the Slurry
Concentration of the Slurry
Particle Size of CaCO3
Inside Diameter of Cylinder
Temperature of the Slurry
Final Height of the Slurry
Time
(minutes
)
0
2
4
6
8
420
900
5.00
-100
21.65
29
Height of the Interface between

Clear Liquid & Slurry/Sediments
(cm)
40
15
12
10
8
cm
ml
%
mesh
mm
C
cm
Height of
Sediments
(cm)
380
360
320
292
236
Cylinder B
Time
(minutes
)
0
2
4
6
8
420
900
5
60
49.45
29

(cm)
25
10
7
6
4
cm
ml
%
mesh
mm
C
cm
Height of
Sediment
s (cm)
395
372
335
298
232
Cylinder C
Time
(minutes
)
0
2
4
6
8
420
900
10
60
49.71
29

(cm)
30
12
8
7
5
cm
ml
%
mesh
mm
C
cm
Height of
Sediments
(cm)
390
378
365
348
323
Cylinder D
Time
(minutes
)
0
2
4
6
8
270
600
5
60
23.73
29

(cm)
50
20
15
12
10
cm
ml
%
mesh
mm
C
cm
Height of
Sediment
s (cm)
190
170
140
110
70
Cylinder E
Time
(minutes
)
0
2
4
6
8
278
600
5
-100
23.63
29

(cm)
55
25
17
14
12
cm
ml
%
mesh
mm
C
cm
Height of
Sediments
(cm)
188
160
138
84
54
Graphs:
Mixture A
Effects of Initial Concentration
Mixture B 5% kaolin
Mixture C 5% kaolin
Figure 1: Effect of Initial Concentration of Mixture A with varying time
Mixture B
Effects of Initial Suspension Height
Mixture B 900ml
Mixture D 600ml
Figure 2: Effect of Initial Suspension of Mixture B with varying time
Mixture C
Effects of Initial Suspension Height
Mixture A 900ml
Mixture E 600ml
Figure 3: Effect of Initial Suspension of Mixture C with varying time

Mixture D
Effects of Particle Size Distribution
Mixture A -100Mesh
Mixture B +60Mesh
Figure 4: Effect of Particle Size Distribution of Mixture D with varying time

Mixture E
Effects of Particle Size Distribution
Mixture D +60Mesh
Mixture E -100Mesh
Figure 5: Effect of Particle Size Distribution of Mixture E with varying time

IV. Discussion of Results
The plot shows that during initial stages of sedimentation, the depth of the clear zone
decreases at a constant rate as sedimentation goes along, as shown by the steep linear part of the
plot. The plot also shows that the slope changes after a certain depth has been reached. The curve
of the plot during the later stages of sedimentation is almost horizontal yet still almost linear. The
part of the plot that is almost horizontal represents the compression settling stage, wherein
hindered settling dominates.
The point where a single distinct interface forms between the clear liquid and sediment
can be obtained is called the theoretical point. At the start of sedimentation, the solids have a
concentration and free settling is observed. To sum up, it is observed that the sample with the
highest height takes longer to reach its critical point. The main reason for this phenomenon is
that the time to reach the critical point would be influenced by the amount of sediment that has to
settle as it reaches the critical point. In general, this is the only effect of varying the height of the
slurry can have .Initial height doesnt necessarily affect the sedimentation rate.
V. Conclusion
Based on the resulting data gathered and their corresponding graphs, it was concluded
that the increase in the initial concentration of the mixture decreases the settling velocity of the
particles before the compression settling zone. At the compression settling zone, higher
concentrations would give higher settling velocities.
It was also concluded that the initial concentration and height of the slurry affects its
sedimentation characteristics. Increasing the initial height would be resulting to increases in the
settling time needed to reach the final height and settling velocity.

Batch Sedimentation

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ADAMSON UNIVERSITY

UNIT OPERATIONS LAB 2

III. Data and Results

APPENDIX A: Experimental Data

Height of the Interface between

Height of the Interface between

Height of the Interface between

Height of the Interface between

Height of the Interface between

Figure 1: Effect of Initial Concentration of Mixture A with varying time

Figure 2: Effect of Initial Suspension of Mixture B with varying time

Figure 3: Effect of Initial Suspension of Mixture C with varying time

Figure 4: Effect of Particle Size Distribution of Mixture D with varying time

Effects of Particle Size Distribution

Figure 5: Effect of Particle Size Distribution of Mixture E with varying time

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