Sedimentation Tank - Design

Design calculations
• The procedure for design calculations involves
the steps for computing the capacity and
dimensions of treatment units based on
assumed design criteria or actual given field
conditions.
 Treatment units
• According to shape, the treatment units are mostly of two
types,
• Rectangular
• Circular.
• However, functionally, these units can be classified as
• Reactors or
• Settling units.
• The units where chemical, biological or biochemical actions
take place are generally known as reactors and the units,
which are designed to remove suspended solids or to
separate chemical or biological flocs by sedimentation are
called settling basins or sedimentation tanks or
clarifiers.
Typical Rectangular Settling Tank
Circular settling Tank
Thanks
 Stepwise Design Calculations
• The steps to be followed, in general, to carry
out the design calculations for rectangular and
circular units are explained with illustrative
examples in the following sections:
 Step I:
Compute the present and future average daily wastewater flow rate

• The most essential data required to start the design

calculations for a domestic wastewater treatment plant
will be:
• (a) The average daily quantity of wastewater generated
by the present population of a town or community based
on the annual demand.
• (b) The quantity of wastewater flow rate expected in the
future at the end of a design period, usually 30 years, for
the estimated future population.
• (c) The various types of fluctuations in the flow rates
 If Data of flow rates are not available

• In most of the cases, such necessary data of flow

rates are not available to start the design
calculations.
• In such cases:
• Flow rates are either actually measured or assumed.
• Flow rates are computed on the basis of actual or
assumed annual water consumption.
• The various flow rates are used to check the
calculations for hydraulic conditions, performance
of treatment units, conduits, pumping, etc.
 Step II:
Compute capacity or volume of the treatment unit

• Once the daily average quantity of wastewater

Qavg is known (either for present or future
conditions), then the capacity or volume of the
tank for both rectangular and circular units,
can be computed by assuming the hydraulic
detention time from the relation given below:
• Volume of treatment unit = flow rate x detention time
• V=Qxt
• where
• V = volume of a tank or reactor, m3
• Q = average daily flow rate, m3/d
• t = hydraulic detention time, d
 Step III:
Compute the surface area and cross-sectional area of
the treatment unit

• If we know the average daily flow rate Qavg and

surface loading rate (SLR), the surface area of
rectangular and circular treatment basins
can be determined from the following
relationship:
• SLR = Flow rate(m3/d) /Surface area of unit (m2)
 Surface Loading Rate (SLR)
• The surface loading rate is a hydraulic loading factor
expressed in terms of flow per surface area. This factor is
also referred to as the “surface settling rate” or “surface
overflow rate.”
• Mathematically, the surface loading rate is computed as
follows:
• SLR = Flow (Gallons/Day) /Surface Area of Clarifier (Sq. Ft.)
Or
• SLR = Flow rate(m3/d) /Surface area of unit (m2)

• Typical values of surface loading rates for primary

clarifiers are 600 to 1,000 gallons per square foot per day.
• Or 30 to 50 m3/m2/d
 Hydraulic retention time (HRT)
or Detention Time (DT)
• Detention time is the theoretical time wastewater is held
in a clarifier based on the flow and volume of the tank.
• The hydraulic retention time (HRT), also known
as hydraulic residence time or τ (tau)
• It is a measure of the average length of time that
a soluble compound remains in a constructed bioreactor.
• Mathematically, it is determined as follows:
τ = V/Q

• Most primary clarifiers are sized to have detention times

in the range of 1 ½ to 2 ½ hours at average flow.
Grit Chamber
 Performance Efficiency
• The efficiency of a primary clarifier is generally
determined in terms of the percentage of 5-day
biochemical oxygen demand and suspended solids
removed. The percent removal is based on the
clarifier’s influent and effluent values as follows:
• % Removal = 100x(Influent – Effluent)/Influent
• Typical removals in a properly designed and
operated primary clarifier are 25% to 40% of 5-
day BOD and 50% to 65% of suspended solids.
Water glossary
http://www.water-chemistry.in/world-
best-water-wastewater-glossary/
 Steps for Designing
• Step I:
Compute the present and future average daily wastewater
flow rate

• Step II:
Compute capacity or volume of the treatment unit

• Step III:
Compute the surface area and cross-sectional area of the
treatment unit

• Step IV:
Compute dimensions of treatment units, assuming suitable
design criteria
 Step IV:
Compute dimensions of treatment units, assuming
suitable design criteria

• Once the average daily quantity of wastewater Qavg is

known (either for present or future condition), then
dimensions such as the length, breadth (width) and
depth for a rectangular unit and the diameter and
depth for a circular unit are computed assuming
suitable design criteria as follows:
 Prob.6
Computation of the net depth of a treatment unit:
• If we assume average settling velocity Vs of
suspended particles to be removed and the
hydraulic retention time or detention time t,
the liquid depth d for the tank is worked out
as under:
• Assume settling velocity of particles, Vs = 20 mm/s
• and hydraulic detention time, t = 90 s
• then, the liquid depth in the tank, d = Vs X t
• = 20 (mm/s) x 90 (s)
• = 1800 mm = 1.8 m
 Relationship of settling velocity with SLR

• Alternatively, as settling velocity is numerically equal to

SLR, we can compute the liquid depth in a tank, if SLR
and t are known as follows:
• Let SLR = 30 m3/m2/d and t = 90 min
• Then, settling velocity, Vs = SLR = 30 m3/m2/d (m/d)
• = 30/24 x 60 x 60 (m/s)
• = 0.000347 x 1000 (mm/s)
• = 0.35 mm/s
• d = Vs X t = 0.35 (mm/s) x 90 x 60 (s) = 1890 mm
• = 1.89 m = 1.9 m
 Prob. 7
Computation of the length and breadth (or sizing) of a rectangular
tank:

• If we assume the flow through velocity Vh and hydraulic

detention time t, we can find the length of the tank L and
assuming a suitable L : B ratio the breadth (or width), B of
the tank is determined as illustrated below:
• Let flow through velocity, Vh = 0.30 m/s
• and detention time, t = 1.0 min (i.e. 60 s)
• then, length of tank, L = Vh X t
• = 0.30 (m/s) x 60 (s)
• = 18.0 m
• Assuming L: B = 2.5 : 1, B = L/2.5
• = 18.0/2.5
• = 7.20 m
 Computation of the length and breadth (or sizing) of a rectangular tank:

• Alternatively, the dimensions of a rectangular

tank can also be calculated by assuming a
suitable SLR and other design criteria as
illustrated below:
• Let us assume SLR = 30 m3/m2_d = 0.35 mm/s
and t = 1 h
• Then, the surface area, As = Q/SLR
• As = 600 (m3/d)/30 (m3/m2_d)
• (assuming Q = 600 m3/d)
• As = 20 m2
 Computation of the length and breadth (or sizing) of a rectangular tank:

• So, providing L = 7.0 m and B = 2.9 m,

• surface area = 7.0 m x 2.9 m = 20.3 m2
(acceptable as greater than 20 m2 )
• Assuming Vs = 0.35 mm/s,
• depth of the tank, D = Vs X t
• = 0.35 (mm/s) x 1 x 60 x 60 (s)
• = 1.26 m = 1.3 m
• Thus, L = 7.0 m, B = 2.9 m, and D = 1.3 m.
 Important points
• Design computation will provide the net or
effective dimensions of the unit.
• To calculate the total or overall dimensions of
the unit for all practical purposes, some
percentage values of dimensions for inlet and
outlet chambers and channels, sludge
collective zones and hopper bottom (wherever
applicable), freeboard, etc. are assumed and
added to the computed net values.
 Prob. 8
• Assuming suitable design criteria, compute
the net and overall dimensions of rectangular
and circular settling basins for a wastewater
flow of 1000 m3/d.