CHAPTER 5

SEDIMENTATION
MATERI
5.1. INTRODUCTION
5.2. SEDIMENTATION OF FINE PARTICLES
5.2.1. Experimental studies
5.2.2. Flocculation
5.2.3. The Kynch theory of sedimentation
5.2.4. The thickener
5.3. SEDIMENTATION OF COARSE
PARTICLES
5.3.1. Introduction
5.1. INTRODUCTION
 Chapter 3: forces acting on an isolated particle
moving relative to a fluid
 If the particle is settling in the gravitational
field, it rapidly reaches its terminal falling
velocity when the frictional force has become
equal to the net gravitational force
 hindered settling: the frictional force exerted at a
given velocity of the particles relative to the fluid
greatly increased as a result of modifications of
the flow pattern
 the sedimentation rate of a particle in a
concentrated suspension less than its terminal
falling velocity under free settling
5.2. SEDIMENTATION OF FINE
PARTICLES
5.2.1. Experimental studies
 the interface between the clear
liquid and the suspension moves
downwards at a constant rate
 sedimentation rate constant until
the upper interface corresponds
with the top of zone C
 the “critical settling point” is
reached when a direct interface is
formed between the sediment and
the clear liquid (B and C will have
disappeared), which
sedimentation rate falls
 Further sedimentation then
results solely from a consolidation
of the sediment,
 is obtained when the range of
particle size is very great
 The sedimentation rate
progressively decreases
throughout the whole
operation
SETTLING VELOCITY

 The modification of the settling rate of particles

(reead book)
 If the range of particle size is not more than
about 6 : 1, a concentrated suspension settles
with a sharp interface and all the particles fall at
the same velocity
 ROBINSON

 STEINOUR
SETTLING VELOCITY

 HAWKSLEY

 The rate of sedimentation of a suspension of fine

particles is difficult to predict because of the
large number of factors involved
 A number of empirical equations have been
obtained for the rate of sedimentation of
suspensions, as a result of tests carried out in
vertical tubes
HEIGHT OF SUSPENSION
 The height of suspension does not generally
affect either the rate of sedimentation or the
consistency of the sediment

two different
initial heights
of slurry, the
ratio OA’ :OA”
is everywhere
constant
DIAMETER OF VESSEL

 If the ratio of the diameter of the vessel to the

diameter of the particle is greater than about
100, the walls of the container appear to have no
effect on the rate of sedimentation.
 For smaller values, the sedimentation rate may
be reduced because of the retarding influence of
the walls.
CONCENTRATION OF SUSPENSION
 the higher the concentration, the lower is the
rate of fall of the sludge line
CONCENTRATION OF SUSPENSION
 This curve has a maximum value, corresponding
to a volumetric concentration of about 2 per cent
THE FINAL CONSOLIDATION
 The final consolidation of the sediment is the
slowest part of the process
 The rate of sedimentation during this period

 The time taken for the sludge line to fall from a

height Hc (critical settling point)

 Thus, if ln(H − H∞) is plotted against t, a straight

line of slope −b is obtained
SHAPE OF VESSEL
 the effect on the sedimentation process may be
considerable
 it is possible to obtain an accelerated rate of
settling in an inclined tank by inserting a series
of inclined plates
5.2.2. FLOCCULATION
 The behaviour of suspensions of fine particles is very
considerably influenced by whether the particles
flocculate
 The aggregation of colloids is known as coagulation,
or flocculation
 Particles dispersed in liquid media collide due to their
relative motion; and the stability of the dispersion is
determined by the interaction between particles
during these collisions.
 Attractive and repulsive forces can be operative
between the particles; these forces may react in
different ways depending on environmental
conditions, such as salt concentration and pH.
 The commonly occurring forces between colloidal
particles are van der Waals forces, electrostatic forces
and forces due to adsorbed macromolecules.
5.2.3. THE KYNCH THEORY OF
SEDIMENTATION

Basic assumptions:
a. Particle concentration is uniform across any
horizontal layer,
b. Wall effects can be ignored,
c. There is no differential settling of particles as a
result of differences in shape, size, or composition,
d. The velocity of fall of particles depends only on the
local concentration of particles,
e. The initial concentration is either uniform or
increases towards the bottom of the suspension, and
f. The sedimentation velocity tends to zero as the
concentration approaches a limiting value
 Since eq 5.36 refers to a constant concentration,
dψ/dC is constant and uw(=dH/dt)
 dψ/dC is negative (as it is at volumetric
concentrations greater than 0.02 in Figure 5.4
 the propagation velocity decreases progressively
with increase of concentration
5.2.4. THE THICKENER
 The thickener is the industrial unit in which the
concentration of a suspension is increased by
sedimentation, with the formation of a clear
liquid
 The thickener is the industrial unit in which the
concentration of a suspension is increased by
sedimentation, with the formation of a clear
liquid
 the addition of small quantities of an electrolyte
 Suspension is heated
 incorporates a slow stirrer

 The batch thickener usually consists of a

cylindrical tank with a slightly conical bottom
CONTINUOUS THICKENER
 The continuous thickener consists of a cylindrical
tank with a flat bottom
 Thickeners may vary from a few metres to
several hundred metres in diameter
 The rakes rotate at about 0.02 Hz (1 rpm)

 The thickener has a twofold function

 Produce a clarified liquid,
 Produce a given degree of thickening of the
suspension
 Two distinct requirements in the design
 the provision of an adequate diameter to obtain
satisfactory clarification
 sufficient depth to achieve the required degree of
thickening of the underflow
FOUR-TRAY DORR THICKENER
THICKENING ZONE
 In a continuous thickener, the area required for
thickening must be such that the total solids flux
(volumetric flowrate per unit area) at any level
does not exceed the rate at which the solids can
be transmitted downwards.
 The total flux

 At any horizontal plane in a continuous thickener

operating under steady-state conditions

 uu is the underflow velocity

 uc is the sedimentation velocity
 The total solids flux ψT , obtained as the
summation of the two curves, passes through a
maximum, followed by a minimum (ψTL) at a
higher concentration (CL).
 For all concentrations exceeding CM, ψTL is the
parameter which determines the capacity of the
thickener when operating at the fixed withdrawal
rate uu.
MINIMUM AREA OF THICKENER
OVERFLOW
 The liquid flowrate in the overflow (Q) is the
difference between that in the feed and in the
underflow.