Sedimentation

Aim:
To determine the rate of sedimentation in a batch sedimentation tank and to calculate the area of
thicker required for the given flow condition.

Apparatus Required:
One-litre glass beaker, calcium carbonate and stopwatch.

Theory:
If a particle is settling in the gravitation field, it rapidly reaches its terminal velocity when
frictional force has become equal to the net gravitational force in a centrifugal field, the particle
may reach the terminal setting velocity much rapidly. When this interaction between particles
was less, the particles settle under freesettling conditions i.e. only under the gravitational field. If
the interactions between the particles are pronounced as in a concentrated suspension, the
particles settles under hindered settling condition.
Batch Sedimentation
There are several stages in the flocculated suspension and different zones are formed as
sedimentation proceeds. Usually, solid concentration is high enough that sedimentation of each
individual particle or floc is hindered by other solids to such an extent that all solids at a given
level settle at a constant velocity.
 At first, solids are uniformly distributed within the solids. The total depth of
suspension is Z0.
 After some time, solids have settled to give it a zone of clear liquid, zone A
and zone D of settled solids.
 Above zone D is the transition layer, zone C, in which solid content vary from
that in original solution to that in zone D.
 In zone B, concentration of solids is equal and uniform to the original
concentration, since the settling rate is same throughout the zone.
 The boundaries between zone (C & D) and zone (B &C) may not be distinct
but the boundary between A & B is usually sharp.
 As settling continues, depth of zones D & A increases.
 The depth of zone C remains nearly constant, and that of zone B goes on
decreasing. Eventually, zone B disappears and all solid settles in zone C & D.
 Meanwhile, the gradual accumulation of all solids puts stress at the bottom of material
which compresses the solids in layer D. Compression breaks down the structure of the floc and
aggregates and liquid is expelled into the upper zones. Sometimes, liquid in the floc spurts out of
zone D like geyser as layer D compresses. Finally, when the weight of solid is balanced by the
compressive strength of the flocs, the settling process stops. This entire process is called
sedimentation.
Area of thickener is calculated by using Knych theory, which is based on following
assumptions:-
1. Particle concentration is uniform across horizontal layer.
2. Wall effect can be ignored.
3. There is no differential settling of particles as result of difference in size, shape or
composition.
4. The velocity of falling particles depend only on local concentration of particle.
5. The initial concentration is either uniform or increases towards the bottom of suspension.
6. The sedimentation velocity tends to zero as the concentration approaches the limiting
value corresponding to that of the sediment layer deposited at the bottom of vessel.

Procedure:
1. Prepare slurries of calcium carbonate of different volumetric concentration viz. 5% and
10%.
2. Fill 5% slurry in the measuring cylinder and note the initial height of the slurry, which is
Z0 cm.
3. Stir the slurry and start the stopwatch. Start measuring the height of solid-liquid interface
as the function of time (i.e. for regular interval of 1 min).
4. Repeat the process till constant height is obtained.
5. Repeat the process 1 to 5 for 10% slurry.

Observation Table:
1. Draw a table for time (min) vs. height (cm).
2. Draw the following table for the above data.
3. Plot the graph between height (cm) vs. time (sec).
4. Draw slopes at different points (preferably the data points). The slopes are UC.
5. Sedimentation flux is given by flux = CC*CX.
6. By material balance, COZO = CCZC
Co∗Zo
CC = where, CC = concentration at any time (kg/cm3),
Zc
 CO = initial concentration, (kg/cm3)
ZC = height at any time, cm
ZO = initial height, cm

7. Assume CU = 300(kg/cm3)
Draw a graph between V v/s CL, which gives relationship between solid concentration
and settling rate.
8. Using the relationship
V
LL*Cl/S =
([ ) ( )]( ρav
1
Cc
−
1
Cu ρw )
= Qx*C /A o

ρav/ρw ≈ 1
Calculate
V
(LLCL/S) min =
([ Cc1 )−( Cu1 )]
9. The ultimate concentration is known i.e. CU
10. Form the following table:-
Sediment
Sr
ation [(1/Cc)- [(1/Cc)-
. Height Time Cc=CoZo/Zc Uc
flux (1/Cu)] (1/Cu)]/Uc
N (cm) (min) (kg/m3) (m/s)
Cc*Uc (m3/kg) (m2/s kg)
o.
(kg/m2s) LCl/S
1 35 0 - - - - -  
2 23.8 1 0.0735 0.112 0.00824 6.4 57.1428571 0.0175
3 21 2 0.0833 0.028 0.00233 8 285.714286 0.0035
0.002606
4 0.0943 0.025 0.00231 9.4 383.673469
18.55 3 383
0.002545
5 0.1111 0.028 0.00311 11 392.857143
15.75 4 455
0.001186
6 0.122 0.014 0.00171 11.8 842.857143
14.35 5 441
7 13.125 6 0.1333 0.012 0.00163 12.5 1020.40816 0.00098
0.000673
8 0.1429 0.009 0.00125 13 1485.71429
12.25 7 077
0.000394
9 0.1493 0.005 0.00078 13.3 2533.33333
11.725 8 737
10 11.2 9 0.1563 0.005 0.00082 13.6 2590.47619 0.000386
 029
0.000377
11 0.1639 0.005 0.00086 13.9 2647.61905
10.675 10 698
0.000248
12 0.1695 0.004 0.00059 14.1 4028.57143
10.325 11 227
0.000364
13 0.1786 0.005 0.00094 14.4 2742.85714
9.8 12 583
0.000239
14 0.1852 0.004 0.00065 14.6 4171.42857
9.45 13 726
0.000236
15 0.1923 0.004 0.00067 14.8 4228.57143
9.1 14 486
0.000210
16 0.1992 0.003 0.00063 14.98 4755.55556
8.785 15 28
0.000184
17 0.2058 0.003 0.00058 15.14 5407.14286
8.505 16 941
0.000250
18 0.2155 0.004 0.00083 15.36 3989.61039
8.12 17 651
0.000202
19 0.2242 0.003 0.00071 15.54 4933.33333
7.805 18 703
0.000200
20 0.2336 0.003 0.00074 15.72 4990.47619
7.49 19 382
0.000154
21 0.2415 0.002 0.00059 15.86 6473.46939
7.245 20 477
0.000174
22 0.2513 0.003 0.0007 16.02 5721.42857
6.965 21 782
0.000173
23 0.2618 0.003 0.00073 16.18 5778.57143
6.685 22 053
4.31566E
24 0.2646 7E-04 0.00019 16.22 23171.4286
6.615 23 -05
8.58896E
25 0.2703 0.001 0.00038 16.3 11642.8571
6.475 24 -05
6.41809E
26 0.2747 0.001 0.00029 16.36 15580.9524
6.37 25 -05
4.26829E
27 0.2778 7E-04 0.00019 16.4 23428.5714
6.3 26 -05
2.13155E
28 0.2793 4E-04 9.8E-05 16.42 46914.2857
6.265 27 -05
2.12895E
29 0.2809 3E-04 9.8E-05 16.44 46971.4286
6.23 28 -05
4.24757E
30 0.2841 7E-04 0.0002 16.48 23542.8571
6.16 29 -05
8.45411E
31 0.2907 0.001 0.00041 16.56 11828.5714
6.02 30 -05
4.21687E
32 0.2941 7E-04 0.00021 16.6 23714.2857
5.95 31 -05
33 5.915 32 0.2959 4E-04 0.0001 16.62 47485.7143 2.1059E-
 05
2.10337E
35 0.2976 4E-04 0.0001 16.64 47542.8571
5.88 34 -05
4.19664E
36 0.3012 7E-04 0.00021 16.68 23828.5714
5.81 35 -05
8.35322E
37 0.3086 0.001 0.00043 16.76 11971.4286
5.67 36 -05
2.08582E
38 0.3106 4E-04 0.00011 16.78 47942.8571
5.635 37 -05
2.08333E
39 0.3125 4E-04 0.00011 16.8 48000
5.6 38 -05

And calculate the minimum point for this graph, which gives limited layer concentration
and the corresponding velocity.
11. The minimum value is (LL*CL/S) min and since no solid leaves through overflow
Initial dry conc .
LoCo = LLCL =
litre of slurry
S = LLCL/x = Area of Thickener

GRAPH:

V vs Cc
0.12

0.1

0.08

0.06
V

0.04

0.02

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Cc
 Height vs Time
45
40
35
30
Height (cm)

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

RESULT:
1. Area required for thickening for 5% concentration = 4.166 cm2