Sedimentation

Lecture No. 6
1. Purpose

Probably the most common waste and wastewater treatment process.

Also known as clarification
Sedimentation is defined as the separation of a suspension into a clarified fluid and a
more concentrated suspension. The more concentrated suspension is typically known
as sludge.
The sedimentation process is designed to remove a majority of the settleable solids by
gravity. Sedimentation is an efficient process; in addition, downstream processes have
to deal with less load.
Sedimentation is divided into two classifications:
- grit chambers, plain sedimentation, Type I, discrete, unhindered settling
- sedimentation tanks, clarifiers, Type II, hindered settling
The key to successful settling is proper upstream coagulation and flocculation.
Main configurations of the settling tanks:
- horizontal, rectangular basins, , favored
- upflow sedimentation tanks
- upflow reactor clarifiers

2. Considerations
A. Overall Treatment Process.

If there are big particles in the water, >15um, as might be found in river water, a grit
chamber is in order. A conservatively designed sedimentation basin should be used to
obtain a settle water turbidity of <2NTU. The sedimentation would NOT do it alone,
but in combination with chemicals, filtration etc. In the filter unit, the quality of the
output water is proportional to the quality of the input water. See F.3.2.5-1, p.141.
Example
Given: Final filtered water quality of .5NTU
Find: Water quality of settled.
From: F.3.2.5-1, p.141.
Anywhere from 1-6 units, silica scale

B. Nature of Suspended Matter.

Sedimentation, Page. No.2

Raw water contains 2 basic types of suspended matter: discrete (nonflocculable) such
as sand and silt and colloidal suspensions such as clay, microorganisms and substances
that cause color.
Discrete particles are relatively easy to remove and removal strategies include: grit
chamber, plain sedimentation, cyclone separator.

C. Settling Velocity of the Particles.

The sedimentation process is based on the gravitational settling of the particles.
Type I settling can be described by Stokes Law:
v = (s - )d2
In which v=settling velocity, fps or m/s
s = mass density of the particle, kg/m3
= mass density of the fluid, kg/m3
d = diameter of the particle, ft or m

Example:
Given: An alum floc
Find: 1.)specific gravity 2.)particle size in mm 3.)If the settling rate is .04fpm, convert this value
to gpm/ft2.
From: T3.2.5-1. p.143.
1.) specific gravity
specific gravity=1.001
2.)particle size in mm
particle size = 1-4mm
3.)If the settling rate is .04fpm, convert this value to gpm/ft 2.
.04ft/min x 7.48gal/ft3 = .30gpm/ft2

The efficiency of an ideal horizontal flow sedimentation tank is a function of the

settling velocity, v0, the surface area of the tank, A, and the flow, Q, through the tank.
v0 is commonly referred to as the surface loading or overflow rate with units of
gpm/ft2. According to Hazen, the efficiency, removal rate, of a tank is independent of
depth and detention time. In practice, a shallow tank will have better removal rates and
a longer detention time favors flocculation.
v0 = Q/A
Example
Given: A tank: L=100, W=20, D=12, Q=10MGD
Find: v0 ,gpm/ft2
v0 = Q/A = 10MGD x 694.4gpm/MGD/ (20x12)
v0 = 28.93 gpm/ft2

Ideal settling involves the following elements:

- Type I, discrete settling
- Even distribution of flow entering the basin
- 3 zones: inlet, outlet and sludge
- Uniform distribution of particles throughout the depth of the entrance zone.

Sedimentation, Page. No.3

- Particles that enter the sludge zone stay in the sludge.

V, horizontal
H, inlet

Outlet

H
Vs, settling
Sludge

vs or v0 is the settling velocity of the smallest particle size that is 100% removed.
Removed means captured in the sludge layer. A smaller particle will be lighter and
therefore will settle at a velocity slower than v0. A smaller, slower particle will have a
shallower, less steep slope and be inclined to be removed via the outlet. When such a
light particle, v<v0, starts below the top of the water line at the inlet a portion of such
light particles will be removed. If a particle is heavier than v0, v>v0, its slope will be
steeper than the v0 and 100% of these heavier particles will reach the sludge layer.
Detention time.
t = H/Vs = L/Vh
Vh = L/t
but
Vh = Q/Ax-section
Ax-section = HW
Ax-section =HW
Vh = Q/HW
Substituting
L/t = Q/HW
t = LHW/Q, LHW=V
t = V/Q
Overflow rate
t = H/Vs = LHW/Q
therefore,
Vs = Q/LW, LW=Plan area, Ap, also known as the surface area.
Vs = Q/Ap
Shows that the overflow rate is equivalent to the settling velocity of smallest particle that
is 100% removed.

Example:
Given: 2 tanks, =100, d=10, Q=14MGD
Find: t, OR
1.) t
t = V/Q = 2tanks x 1002 x 10 / 14MG/10 6gal x
t = .08388days = 2.01hours = 120.8min
2.) OR
OR = Q/Ap = 14MGD x 106gal/MG / (2tanks x 100)2

Sedimentation, Page. No.4

OR = 891.7 gpd/ft2

Removal rates
For v>v0, 100% removed
For v<v0, some will be removed, but how much
fraction of particles removed = v1/v0 = H1/H
mathematically,
fraction removed = (1-Xs) +

Xs

vdx
0

(1-Xs) = fraction of the particles with v>v0, all of these particles will be removed.
Xs

vdx
0

= fraction of the particles with v<v0, a portion will be removed.

1.0
1-Xs 100% removed

fraction of Xs
particles with
less than
X
the stated
velocity
0

V/V0
V

V0

V, settling velocity

Example:
Given: A settling basin is designed to have a surface overflow rate of 32.6 m/day = .37mm/s
(800gpd/ft2).
Find: The overall removal obtained for a suspension with the size distribution given below. The
specific gravity of the particles is 1.2 and T=20C. =1.027, =0.9997
Particle
size, mm
Weight
fraction
greater
than
size,
percent
Weight
fraction
less than
size,
percent

0.10

0.08

0.07

0.06

0.04

0.02

0.01

10

15

40
40% of
the
particles
> .07

70

93

99

100
100% of
the
particles
> .01

90
90% of
the
particles
pass the .
10 sieve

85

60

30

7
7% of the
particles
pass the .
04 sieve

Sample calculations for the table below:

v, Stokes Law:
v = (s - )d2 = (1.2 - .997)d2
v = 107.62d2
for d=.10mm
v = 107.62(.10)2
v=1.076 say 1.08
for d=.04

Sedimentation, Page. No.5

v = 107.62(.04)2
v=.172
Reynolds number, if the Nr < .5, Stokes Law applies.
Nr=v/ = (.10mm x 1.08mm/s) / 1.011x10 -6m/s x (1000mm/m) 2
Nr=.10

Weight
fraction,
%
v, mm/s,
from
above
calc.
Nr,
Weight
fraction
remaining
%

10.0

15.0

40.0

70.0

93.0

99.0

100

1.08

0.689

0.527

0.387

0.172

0.043

0.011

.10
90.0

0.05
85.0

0.04
60.0

0.02
30.0

0.01
7.0

0.001
1.0

0.0001
0

Plot the above numbers:v vs. weight fraction remaining , e.g. 1.08, 90.0; 0.689,85 etc.

1.0
1-Xs 100% removed

fraction of Xs=.27
particles with
less than
X
the stated
velocity
0

V/V0
V

V0=.37mm/s(800gal.day,ft2)
V, settling velocity

All particles with a settling velocity greater than .37mm/s will be 100% removed. From the
graph, the fraction (1-Xs) is equal to 0.73 or 73%; a portion of the remaining 27% will be
removed, graphically this is the area above the settling curve, but below the Xs line. One way to
obtain this desire area is to assume increments of x, say 0.04, and pick off the corresponding v,
velocity, from the graph. The resulting product x(v) is the area for that increment. The
increments are then summed to obtain the total area.

x
v
x(v)

0.04

0.04

0.04

0.04

0.04

0.04

.027

0.06
0.0024

0.16
0.0064

0.22
0.0088

0.26
0.0104

0.30
0.0120

0.34
0.0136

0.37
.0099

Total x(v) = .0635

The overall removal is:
fraction removed = (1-Xs) +

Xs

vdx
0

fraction removed = 0.73 + 1/.37(0.0635)

fraction removed = .898 = 89.9%

Sedimentation, Page. No.6

D. Flow Short Circuiting
Three types:
- improper design: poor inlet design, short distance between the inlet and the outlet.
- when floc is carried over the filter: the influent tends to dive down at the inlet and rise at
the outlet carrying much floc with it.
- density flow: severe type of the second, typically caused by switching from one source of
water supply to another. Can be minimized by installing intermediate diffuser wall
perpendicular to the flow direction in the middle or at two-thirds of the tank length.
The magnitude to the density current can by evaluated via Harlemans formula:
v = [8g ].5 units p.147
or
v = [2g ].5 units p.147

The temperature difference involved density flows are 0.2-0.5C and the flow velocity
of the density flow is 2.6-6fpm with a design or intended flow velocity of 1.3fpm.

E. Type of Sedimentation Tank

The types include: upflow clarifiers, reactor clarifiers and horizontal rectangular.
Upflow clarifiers, reactor clarifiers are susceptible to hydraulic and solids shock
loadings.
Most large water treatment plants use horizontal rectangular clarifiers primarily
because of the flexible performance, predictable settling efficiency and minimum
maintenance cost.
Design criteria include T3.2.5-2, p.150:

Surface loading: .34-1 gpm/ft2; 490-1440 gpd/ft2

Water depth: 3-5 m; 10-16 ft
Detention time; 1.5-3 hours
Width:length ratio > 1:5, minimum 4:1
Width:depth ratio: 3:1 with a maximum of 6:1
Freeboard: 2ft
Weir loading: <15gpm/ft; 21,600 gpd/ft

The preferred configuration of the multiple rectangular tanks is common wall

construction all connected to a common inlet and outlet.

Sedimentation, Page. No.7

F. Inlet and Outlet of the Basin

Flow imbalance at the inlet will lead to flow short-circuiting, jetting, turbulences and
hydraulic instability.
The most simple and effective method for distributing the water from the flocculation
tanks to the sedimentation tanks is a perforated baffle wall whose requirements are as
follows:

- The wall should cover the entire cross section of the basin
- The wall should be uniformly perforated
- A maximum of ports should be provided to minimize jets and dead zones
- The headloss through an individual port should be .12-.35
- The headloss through an individual port should be less than .4 to prevent floc
breakage.
- The size of the ports should be uniform in diameter, 3-8 to avoid clogging
- The ports should be placed no more than approximately 10-20 on center to
avoid compromising the structural strength of the wall.
- The flow should be directed at the basin outlet.
The water exiting the basin should be uniformly collected across an area that is
perpendicular to the proper flow direction. Perforated baffles are not recommended for
the outlet because they are not effective in dealing with density currents.
V-notched weir plates are used for the outlets and are generally attached to the
launders. Launders are long troughs which channel the water to an outlet. Long
launders have major advantages: the water level of the tank remains substantially
constant; wave action is minimized; weirs and modules are easily attached to the
launders.
G. Shape of the Tank

Rectangular basins that are both wide and deep tend to hydraulically unstable and
foster density flow patterns. Basins that are narrow, shallow and long have flow
stability and minimize short circuiting.
Flow characteristics of the sedimentation basin can be estimated by the Reynolds, NR,
and Froude, NF, numbers:
NR = vR/ < 20,000
NF = v2/gR > 10-5 units p.161
An ordinary basin has NR >15,000 and NF <10-6 both of which indicate an inferior
condition.
One of the least desired shapes has 180 turn at its midlength because they are
inefficient due to turbulence and dead spots at the turn.
H. Sludge Collection System

Choices include: chain and flight; traveling bridge with squeegees; traveling bridge
with suction; float supported sludge suction; underwater bogies with squeegee.

Sedimentation, Page. No.8

Any thing with moving parts such as the traveling bridge should not be used in very
cold, ice prone parts of the country.
The chain and flight can service a maximum length of 200ft, 60m.
The traveling bridge can service any length of tank; but it is effective if the length
exceeds 260-300ft, 80-90m. The speed is typically 1fpm.
The underflow rate associated with sludge removal of the horizontal flow and long
rectangular basins is typically .1-.2% of the plant flow. The concentration of solids in
the sludge is .2-5%.

I. Detailed Design Criteria

See T3.2.5-2, p.150 and p.171 for detailed design criteria for grit chambers, rectangular
sedimentation tanks and sedimentation tanks with high-rate settler.

3. Operations and Maintenance

Floc settling. The majority of the floc should settle in the first half of the tank. Visual
observation is important. If the water is clear in the middle and full of floc at the end, a
density flow is indicated.
Abnormal phenomena. sludge floating (bulking); scum; fly larvae; algae; corrosion.
Optimization of the sludge withdrawal process.

4. Example Problems
Given: Grit Chamber Design, Q=85MGD, .15mm minimum size to be removed, 10C. Consult
the grit chamber criteria on page 171. W=35ft. d=10
Find:
1.) The number and shape of the tanks
2.) Tank dimensions
3.) t
4.) surface loading
1.) The number and shape of the tanks
Two rectangular tanks. If one goes down for a problem or maintenance, the other is still
available to do the job. An alternative for a smaller plant is one tank and a by-pass channel.
2.) Tank dimensions
The settling velocity of the .15mm sand from T3.2.5-1.
v0 = 15mm/s = 3.0fpm
From page 160:
water depth = 10-16ft, say 10ft.
Q = 85MGD x 1.547cfs/MGD
Q = 131.5cfs x 60s/min = 7890 cfm
Q/tank = 7890 cfm / 2
Q/tank = 3945 cfm
A = WD = 10x 35
A = 350ft2
v = Q/A = 3945 cfm / 350ft2
v = 11.27fpm

Sedimentation, Page. No.9

L = K(h/ v0)v, where K=1.5, equation from rear end of author.
L = 1.5(10/3.0)11.27
L = 56.35ft say 56.5
L = 56.5ft, D=10ft, W=35ft
check ratios
From p. 171:
WL is from 1:4: to 1:8
DL is a minimum of 1:8
W/L = 56.5/35
W/L = 1:1.614, NG
L/D = 56.5/10 = 5.65:1, NG
3.) t
t=V/Q = LWD/Q = 56.5ft x10ft x35ft / 3945 cfm
t = 5.01min, p.160 should be between 6-15, NG
4.) surface loading
OR = Q/A = 3945 cfm / LW = 3945cfm x / (56.5ft x 35ft)
OR = 14.92gpm/ft2, p.160 should be 4-10, therefore NG.

Go over example problems in book, p.171,

especially part iii, baffle wall design
HOMEWORK No. 6, Sedimentation
Read Chapter 3 pp. 139-194
Problems:
6A. Given: Final filtered water quality of 1 NTU
Find: Water quality of settled.
6B. Given: A silt and clay floc, size.06mm
Find: 1.)specific gravity 2.)mesh size 3.)If the settling rate is .75fpm, convert this value to
gpm/ft2.
6C. Given: The Weymouth Filtration Plant has a flow of 300MGD using square tanks to a
depth of 12'. DT=2hours.
Find:
1.)The volume and surface area
2.) The number of square tanks such that no dimension exceeds 200' which is an
equipment limitation.
6D. Given:Depth=10', overflow rate=.0417fps and the settling data below.
Find: The overall removal percentage assuming Type I, discrete settling
time required
portion of particles
Vs (fpm)
to settle 10'
with velocity less
Vs=distance/time
(minutes)
than those indicated
3.33
60%
10/3.33=3
5.0
40%
10/5.0=2

Sedimentation, Page. No.10

10.0

20%

10/10=1

6E. Given: Grit Chamber Design, Q=55MGD, .03mm minimum size to be removed, 10C.
Consult the grit chamber criteria on page 160. W=30ft.
Find:
1.) The number and shape of the tanks
2.) Tank dimensions
3.) t
4.) surface loading
6E. Given: Design the sedimentation tanks for your project. Use example 3, p.163 as a
guide.
Find: Include the following items:
1.) The number of tanks
2.) Tank dimensions
3.) The configuration of the tank inlet and diffuser wall.
6F. Given: Design the sedimentation tanks for your project.