Sedimentation

JAMAICA CHRISTELLE P. PEÑALOSA

BS Chemical Engineering

College of Engineering and Architecture

Department of Chemical Engineering

Cebu Institute of Technology – University, N. Bacalso Ave. Cebu City, 6000 Philippines

Sedimentation is the tendency for particles in suspension to settle out of the fluid in
which they are entrained, and come to rest against a barrier. This is due to their motion through
fluid in response to the forces acting on them: these forces can be due to gravity, centrifugal
acceleration or electromagnetism. Sedimentation is simply the process of letting suspended
material settle by gravity. It is accomplished by decreasing the velocity of the water being
treated to a point below which the particles will no longer remain in suspension. When the
velocity no longer supports the transport of the particles, gravity will remove them from the
flow. In a glass cylinder, when solids diffuse through the interface, the process starts then to
settle from a slurry during a batch settling test and assumed to approach terminal velocities
under hindered settling conditions. Thus, several zones of concentration will be established.
The particle is not actually sent all the way to the bottom of the cell, resulting in a sediment.
Rather, a low centrifugal field is used to create a concentration gradient- where more particles
near the bottom of the cell than near the top. When the temperature decreases, the rate of
settling becomes slower. The result is that as the water cools, the detention time in the
sedimentation cylinder must increase. As the sedimentation continues, heights of each zone
vary and the point at which a single distinct interface forms between liquids and sediments will
be reached.
1. Introduction

Sedimentation is a physical process whereby solid particles, of greater density than their
suspending medium, will tend to separate into regions of higher concentration under the
influence of gravity. As a solid/liquids separation technique it therefore possesses the great
advantage of utilizing a natural and therefore countless, driving force. The sedimentation
process is traditionally divided into settling within four regimes which are schematically
depicted.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1 Apparatus and Materials

 Sedimentation Apparatus
 Mesh
 Stopwatch
 Beaker
 Spatula
 Stirring rod
 Powder of Calcium Carbonate, (CaCO3 )
 Electronic Balance

2.2 Methods
……………………………………………………………………………………….
Powdered calcium carbonate was sieved to achieve a uniform size of particle using a
mesh. After sieving, 1L of 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10% by weight of calcium carbonate
suspension in water was prepared. The slurry of every prepared sample was placed in the
sedimentation tubes at the same height. The light was turned on for better readings and at
convenient time intervals, the readings were noted. The rise of the sludge interphase at the base
of the cylinder was recorded. A 24 hours period was allowed to elapse for final concentration
readings. The above procedure was repeated except that the slurry is of the same concentration
of 4% but with different initial heights.
3. Results

The data for each slurry concentration having the same initial heights in Part A is found
in Table 3.1. Each data of the following concentrations were plotted in a graph, drawn with
their respective tangent lines, and eventually shown in Graphs 3.1 to 3.5.

Part A

Time Height of Interphase

Interval 2% 4% 6% 8% 10%
0 492 486 484 485 474
1 430 435 450 460 446
2 380 388 411 438 427
3 340 340 374 417 410
4 310 296 337 395 396
5 280 260 306 376 385
6 252 224 274 359 374
7 224 186 243 342 364
8 200 150 214 326 355.5
9 178 120 193 310 347
10 154 96 176 295 339
11 130 83 163 281 330.5
12 112 79 152 269 323
13 100 76 143 257 315
14 95 74 138 245 308
15 93 71 131 238 301
16 90 68 124 230 294
17 88 66 120 223 287.5

Table 3.1 Raw data for slurries at varied concentrations

 500

450

400

350

300
Height (mm)

250

200

150

100

50

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Time (min)

Graph 3.1 Height vs. Time for 2% Slurry Concentration

500

450

400

350

300
Height (mm)

250

200

150

100

50

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Time (min)

Graph 3.2 Height vs. Time for 4% Slurry Concentration

 500

450

400

350

300
Height (mm)

250

200

150

100

50

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Time (min)

Graph 3.3 Height vs. Time for 6% Slurry Concentration

500

450

400

350

300
Height (mm)

250

200

150

100

50

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Time (min)

Graph 3.4 Height vs. Time for 8% Slurry Concentration

 500

450

400

350

300
Height (mm)

250

200

150

100

50

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Time (min)

Graph 3.5 Height vs. Time for 10% Slurry Concentration

Table 3.2 below shows the designated points by which the data from Graphs 3.1 to 3.5
for velocity and concentration values were computed prior to data analysis. Sample
computations for velocity and concentration are found in Appendix C.

Time
Concentration z zi V C
Interval
1 430 484 54.00 0.02030
3 340 444 34.70 0.02220
2%
5 280 425 29.00 0.02320
zo = 492 mm
8 200 388 23.50 0.02540
12 112 320 17.33 0.03075
1 435 486 51.00 0.0400
4 296 450 38.50 0.0432
4%
8 150 405 31.88 0.0480
zo = 486 mm
10 96 295 19.90 0.0659
11 83 185 9.27 0.1050
 1 450 493.75 43.75 0.0588
4 337 456.25 29.81 0.0636
6%
8 214 381.25 20.90 0.0762
zo = 484 mm
10 176 293.75 11.775 0.0989
12 152 262.50 9.208 0.1110
1 460 487.50 27.50 0.0796
5 376 456.25 16.05 0.0858
8%
9 310 437.50 14.17 0.0887
zo = 485 mm
11 281 412.50 11.95 0.0941
14 245 363.50 8.39 0.1070
7 80 226 20.857 0.2097
8 60 188 16.00 0.4017
10%
9 48 124.5 8.50 0.3807
zo = 474 mm
10 42 82.5 4.05 0.5745
14 31 50.5 1.393 0.9386

Table 3.2 Data for slurries at varied conditions

Meanwhile, the data for each slurry suspension having the same concentration but
with different initial heights is found in Table 3.3. The data are plotted in a graph as well,
drawn with their respective tangent lines, and visualized in Graphs 3.6 to 3.10.

Part B

TIME Height of Interphase

INTERVAL 1 2 3 4 5
0 290 338 388 442 474
1 252 296 345 402 446
2 218 257 310 360 427
3 186 226 282 318 410
4 156 198 253 280 396
5 128 171 223 244 385
 6 102 145 195 208 374
7 80 117 168 173 364
8 60 94 141 140 355.5
9 48 74 114 110 347
10 42 66 88 90 339
11 39 61 69 83 330.5
12 36 58 63 78 323
13 33 54 59 73 315
14 31 52 55 69 308
15 30 49 52 66 301
16 29 46 46 63 294
17 28 43 42 60 287.5

Table 3.3 Heights of slurries having the same concentrations at a specific time

350

300

250
Height (mm)

200

150

100

50

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Time (min)

Graph 3.6 Height vs. Time for 290 mm Slurry Initial Height
 400

350

300

250
Height (mm)

200

150

100

50

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Time (min)

Graph 3.7 Height vs. Time for 338 mm Slurry Initial Height

450

400

350

300
Height (mm)

250

200

150

100

50

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Time (min)

Graph 3.8 Height vs. Time for 388 mm Slurry Initial Height
 500

450

400

350

300
Height (mm)

250

200

150

100

50

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Time (min)

Graph 3.9 Height vs. Time for 442 mm Slurry Initial Height

500

450

400

350

300
Height (mm)

250

200

150

100

50

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Time (min)

Graph 3.10 Height vs. Time for 474 mm Slurry Initial Height
 Table 3.4 below shows the designated points by which the data from Graphs 3.6 to
3.10 for velocity and concentration values were computed prior to data analysis of slurries
at different heights but the same concentration. Sample computations for velocity and
concentration may be found in Appendix C.

Height Time
z zi v C
(Co = 0.04%) Interval
7 80 226 20.857 0.05133
8 60 188 16 0.06170
zo = 290 mm 9 48 124.5 8.5 0.09317
10 42 82.5 4.05 0.14061
14 31 50.5 1.393 0.22970
1 296 333.36 37.36 0.04056
5 171 295.87 24.974 0.04570
zo = 338 mm 9 74 245.87 19.0967 0.05499
11 61 141.70 7.3364 0.09540
17 43 91.70 2.8647 0.14740
1 345 381.85 36.85 0.04064
7 168 354.55 26.65 0.04378
zo = 388 mm 11 69 272.75 18.5227 0.05690
14 55 131.85 5.4893 0.11770
17 42 100 3.4112 0.15520
3 318 425 35.67 0.0416
7 173 405 28.93 0.0437
zo = 442 mm 10 90 158 6.80 0.1119
14 69 110 2.93 0.1607
16 63 95 2.00 0.1861
3 410 450 13.33 0.0421
zo = 474 mm 7 364 425 8.71 0.0446
11 330.5 410 7.23 0.0462
 15 301 400 6.60 0.0474
17 287.5 385 5.74 0.0492

Table 3.4 Data for same slurry concentrations

4. Discussion

Sedimentation is a treatment process where water is slowly flowing through a reservoir.

Because of the low flow velocities particles are able to deposit on the bottom of the reservoir.
Distinction should be made between discrete and flocculent settling. The cumulative frequency
distribution of settling velocities cannot be calculated in a theoretical way because the size,
shape and mass density of the particles are unknown and even variable with flocculent settling.
The frequency distribution is found experimentally by plotting the percentage remaining SS
(p) against the settling velocity versus that can be calculated from the depth of the sampling
port under the water surface (H) divided by the elapsed time t.

5. Conclusions

Sedimentation practices are designed to be effective at retaining suspended solids that

typically adsorb to solids. In every after experiment, the retained solids must need to be
removed. Such apparatus is not that effective at retaining the dissolved pollutants. The panel
must be translucent enough. At short period of time, particles are well distributed in a water
phase at its flocculated suspension initial state based on the nature of the CaCO3. The formed
flocculated suspension will cause an increase in sedimentation rate due to increase in size of
particles. This experiment aims to determine the effect of initial concentration and initial height
of the slurry on its settling characteristics. The sedimentation experiment was accomplished by
measuring the height of the clear liquid interface at a 10-minute intervals using initial
concentrations 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10%. From the data, it was observed that as the initial
concentration of slurry is increased the initial settling velocities decreases. The initial height
has no effect on the initial settling velocity but it can affect the rate at which solids compact.
During the course of the experiment, various problems were encountered that mat have
led to slight errors. These problems were usually problems of measurement. As the calcium
carbonate solution was transferred to the sedimentation apparatus, there were solids left on the
beaker or the container of the calcium carbonate solution. Thus, it leads to a change of
concentration to a small margin of error to the desired concentration.

REFERENCES
[1] Geankoplis, C.J. (1993). Transport Processes and Unit Operations. 3rd Edition.
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Prentice-Hall International, Inc.

[2] Coulson, J.M. & Richardson, J.F. (2002). Particle Technology and Separation
Processes. 5th Edition. Wildwood Avenue, Woburn, MA. Butterworth-Heinemann.

[3] J. March, Advanced Organic Chemistry, 4th ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York,
1992.

[4] B. M. Trost and I. Fleming, eds., Comprehensive Organic Synthesis: Selectivity,

Strategy and Efficiency in Modern Organic Chemistry, Vol. 1−9,

[5] Zumdahl, S., Zumdahl, S. (2012). Chemistry: An Atoms First Approach, 2nd edition.
Boston, MA: Cengage Learning Inc.
Appendices

Appendix A – Formulas and Equations

Eq. A.1 Velocity, v

zi − z
v =
t

Where: z is height of suspension at a given time interval

zi is height at which the tangent line of a given point intersects the y-axis when
the points are plotted in a graph

t is time interval

Eq. A.2 Concentration, C

C0 z0
C =
zi

Where: z0 is initial height of suspension at time interval of zero

zi is height at which the tangent line of a given point intersects the y-axis when
the points are plotted in a graph

C0 is initial concentration of suspension; equivalent to the concentration of

prepared slurry suspension
Appendix B – Figures

Fig. B.1

PART A PART B

Appendix C – Computations

Comp. C.1 Sample Calculations for Velocity Determination

For slurry at 10% Concentration:

zi − z
v =
t

zi − z 226 − 80
v = = = 20.857
t 7

zi − z 118 − 60
v = = = 16.000
t 8

zi − z 124.5 − 48
v = = = 8.500
t 9

zi − z 82.5 − 42
v = = = 4.050
t 10

zi − z 50.5 − 31
v = = = 1.393
t 14
Comp. C.2 Sample Calculations for Concentration Determination

For slurry at 10% Concentration:

C0 z0
C =
zi

C0 z0 (0.1)(474)
C = = = 0.2097
zi 226

C0 z0 (0.1)(474)
C = = = 0.4017
zi 188

C0 z0 (0.1)(474)
C = = = 0.3807
zi 124.5

C0 z0 (0.1)(474)
C = = = 0.5745
zi 82.5

C0 z0 (0.1)(474)
C = = = 0.9386
zi 50.5