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Sedimentation: Batangas State University
Sedimentation: Batangas State University
ChE 421
Separation Processes and
Introduction to Particle Technology
SEDIMENTATION
ChE-4201
SEDIMENTATION
Also known as settling, may be defined as the removal of solid particles from a
suspension by settling under gravity.
Separation of unstable and destabilized suspended solids from a suspension by
the force of gravity
The natural process in which material (such as stones and sand) is carried to the
bottom of a body of water and forms a solid layer. (Merriam-Webster)
The separation of a dilute slurry or suspension by gravity settling into a clear fluid
and a slurry of higher solids content. (Geankoplis,1995)
Particle size
- The size, shape, and type of particles affects the operation of the
sedimentation tank and its settling characteristics.
Water temperature
- When the temperature decreases, the rate of settling becomes slower. The
result is that as the water cools, the detention time in the sedimentation
tanks must increase.
- When the water is colder, the flow in the plant is at its lowest and, in most
cases, the detention time in the plant is increased so the floc has time to
settle out in the sedimentation basins.
Currents
Several types of water currents may occur in the sedimentation basin:
- Density currents caused by the weight of the solids in the tank, the
concentration of solids and temperature of the water in the tank.
- Eddy currents produced by the flow of the water coming into the tank and
leaving the tank.
- The currents can be beneficial in that they promote flocculation of the
particles. However, water currents also tend to distribute the floc unevenly
throughout the tank; as a result, it does not settle out at an even rate.
- Some of the water current problems can be reduced by the proper design
of the tank. Installation of baffles helps prevent currents from short circuiting
the tank.
Baffles are long, flat plates that attach to the side of the tank to prevent swirling &
promote top to bottom fluid movement. They are most commonly used for blending and
solid suspensions because these applications often use vertical, cylindrical tanks that
tend to create swirling patterns, regardless of the type of impeller being used.
PROCESSES OF SEDIMENTATION:
Free Settling
The process when a particle is at a sufficient distance from the walls of the
container and from other particles so that its fall is not affected by them.
Hindered Settling
The process when the particles are crowded, they settle at a lower rate.
SEDIMENTATION BASIN ZONES
Inlet zone
- in which momentum is dissipated and flow is established in a uniform
forward direction.
- inlets should be designed to minimize high flow velocities near the bottom
of the tank.
Settling zone
- where quiescent settling is assumed to occur as the water flows towards
the outlet.
- the largest portion of the sedimentation basin.
- this zone provides the calm area necessary for the suspended particles to
settle.
Outlet zone
- in which the flow converges upwards to the decanting weirs or launders.
- outlet zone or launders should provide a smooth transition from the
sedimentation zone to the outlet from the tank.
- this area of the tank also controls the depth of water in the basin.
Sludge zone
- provides a storage area for the sludge before it is removed for additional
treatment or disposal.
- where settled material collects and is moved towards sludge hoppers for
withdrawal. it is assumed that once a particle reaches the sludge zone it
is effectively removed from the flow.
Then settled particle are removed. This removal action requires 6-12 hours. So, one
complete action of sedimentation requires 30-40 hours in case of fill and draw type
sedimentation tank.
2. Continuous Flow Type
Sedimentation Tank
In this case, water is not allowed to rest. Flow
always takes place but with a very small
velocity. During this flow, suspended particles
are settle at the bottom of the tank. The flow
may be either in horizontal direction or vertical direction.
2. Rectangular Tank
Rectangular sedimentation tanks are mostly
preferred sedimentation tanks and are used
widely. The flow takes place in horizontal
direction that is length wise in rectangular
tanks. Sometimes baffle walls are provided for
rectangular tank to prevent short circuiting.
Classification Equipment
- There are two types of classifiers, for the most part: One, the simple gravity
settling classifier, and the other, which is known as a Spitzkasten gravity
settling chamber.
- Both of these work on essentially the same principle. The slower the settling
velocity, the farther a particle will travel before settling. So, essentially, the big,
heavy particles will fall first, and the small, light particles will fall last.
Simple Classifier
- In the simple classifier, the
design is similar to that of the
straight gravity settling tank,
except that the bottom half is
divided into several equal
partitions.
- What happens is that instead of just falling into a big mess on the bottom of
the tank, the coarse particles get trapped in the first chamber, the
intermediates get trapped in the middle partitions, and the fine particles, the
dust, gets captured in the last section. Then, you can drain the sections from
the bottom and have a segregated sediment.
Spitzkasten Chamber
- A series of conical vessels of
increasing size is set up in the
direction of flow. As the slurry
enters the first vessel, the coarse
particles get trapped, and the
overflow continues on to the next,
where more separation takes
place.
- This particular settling chamber is
unique because you can adjust the flow rates in between each vessel in
order to provide the necessary degree of separation.
Thickeners
- The slurry is fed into the center
of the tank, several feet below
the surface of the liquid. Around
the top edge is a kind of overflow
outlet that just takes away the
top clear fluid. The bottom of the
sloping tank contains a
continually moving rake, which
scrapes all the sludge towards
the center, where it is taken
away.
- One thing to keep in mind, when designing one of these thickeners, is that
if you want to have a clear fluid on the top, you have to keep the terminal
velocity of the particles that are settling greater than the force of the fluid
that is being compressed out of the lower zones. Otherwise, the force of the
fluid pushing up would create too much buoyancy, and force the particles
back up, which, if you want a clear top layer, is bad.
REFERENCES
http://www.iwapublishing.com/news/sedimentation-processes
http://www.metalprep.com/images/Sedimentation.pdf
http://hmtl.itb.ac.id/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/SEDIMENTATION.ppt
https://theconstructor.org/environmental-engg/types-of-sedimentation-tank/14711/