Flocculator Design

ABLE TO ANALYSIS AND DESIGN FLOCCULATOR

Purpose of Flocculator

 To enhance the collision between flocculent (coagulant particles

and colloids particle) by slow mixing (gentle mixing)
 The collision depends on velocity gradient, G i.e. relative velocity of
particle between the adjacent layers of fluid
 Large G value in short time ➔ small and dense flocs
 Low G value in long time ➔ large and light flocs
Type of floculator

 Baffled
 Mechanical
Mechanical Flocculator

 Compartment
 Wheel
Mechanical Flocculator

 Operate by mechanical paddle

 Made of wood or aluminum
 Operate (rotate) in vertical or horizontal axis
 Minimum distance between end of paddle and other structure is 0.3 m
 Paddle velocity must < 1 m/s
Mechanical
Flocculator
(horizontal)
 Paddle
 Blade
Horizontal Flocculator
Vertical Flocculator
Design of Mechanical Flocculator

𝑃 0.5 G= Velocity gradient (s-1)

 G=
𝑉𝜇
P = Power input, W (N.m/s)
 P = 𝐷𝜐𝑝
V = Volume of mixing basin (m3)
𝑣𝑝3
 D= 𝐶𝐷 𝐴𝑝 𝜌( ) 𝜇 = viscosity of water (N.s/m2)
2
𝐶𝐷 𝐴𝑝 𝜌𝑣𝑝3 𝜐𝑝 = velocity of paddle (m/s)
 P=
2
D = Drag force of paddle (N)
𝐶𝐷 𝐴𝑝 𝜌𝑣𝑝3
 G= ( )0.5 𝐶𝐷 = Coefficient of drag (1.8 for flat blade)
2𝑉𝜇
𝐴𝑝 = Area of paddle blade (m2)
𝜌 = density of water (kg/m3)
 BAFFLED FLOCCULATOR

 Horizontal (flow at end of baffle)

 Vertical (flow up and down)
 Influent flow = 0.24 – 0.3 m/s
 Effluent flow < 0.1 m/s
 Depth of basin < 1 m
 Different size of basin, has different flow and velocity gradient, G
• Level 1, G = 25 s-1
• Level 2, G = 17.5 s-1
• Level 3, G = 12.5 s-1
  Horizontal
Baffled  Vertical

configuration
Design criteria of flocculation basin

 Velocity gradient, G : 12.5 – 30 s-1

 Retention time, t : 15 – 40 minutes
 Total collision of particles, Gt : 11250 – 72000 (no unit)
 Rectangular size of basin : Min Length = 3 Depth
Example 1.0

 Water treatment plant is used to treat 50,000 m3/day of water. Jar test experiment
indicates optimum alum dosage as 40 mg/L with Gt value of 4.0 x 104. Expected
optimum water temperatures is 15 C. Estimate:
i. Monthly alum requirement?
ii. Dimension of flocculation basin if three compartments of horizontal
mechanical flocculators are used. Maximum size of flocculator basin is 12 m
wide and 5 m depth. Assume each compartment has average G of 30 s-1
iii. Power requirement, if G values are follows:
▪ First compartment, G = 40 s-1
▪ Second compartment, G = 30 s-1
▪ Third compartment, G = 20 s-1
Example 1.0

iv. Assume each flat paddle has four boards, 2.5 m long and wb wide. There are
three paddle wheels per compartment. Assume the velocity of the paddle, 𝜐𝑝
as 0.67 m/s at 75% velocity efficiency. Calculate the width of paddle blade in
the first compartment, wb. Cd for flat blade = 1.8.
Solution

i. Monthly requirement of alum

 Alum dosage is 40 mg/L = 0.04 kg/m3
 Volume of water in a month = 50,000 m3/day x 30 days
= 1,500,000 m3/month
 Alum needed in a month = Alum dosage x volume of water in month
= 0.04 kg/m3 x 1,500,000 m3/month
= 60 000 kg/month
Solution

ii. Dimension of flocculation basin

 Assume average of G = 30 s-1
 Given Gt = 4.0 x 104
= Retention time = Gt / G = 4.0 x 104 / 30 s-1
= 1333.333 s = 22.22 minutes

Since Q = V/t, thus Volume = Q x t

22.22
= 50,000 m /day x
3
24(60)
= 771.5 m3 (volume of flocculation basin)
Solution

 Volume of basin, V = B x D * L = 771.5 m3

 Rule L = 3D and given in question D = 5 m, thus L = 15 m
 Therefore 771.5 = B x 5 x 15
B = 10.3 m
Solution

iii. Power requirements for each compartment

• First compartment, G = 40 s-1
• Second compartment, G = 30 s-1
• Third compartment, G = 20 s-1

P 0.5
 G= where µ at 15 C = 0.001139
V𝜇
 Vol of each compartment = volume in basin / 3 = 771.5/3 = 257.2 m3
 P (for 1st compartment) = G2Vµ = 402 x 257.2 x 0.001139 = 470 W
 P (for 2nd compartment) = 260 W
 P (for 3rd compartment) = 120 W
Solution

Basin, compartment, paddle,

wheel, board & blade
❑ A flocculation basin consists of
three compartments
❑ Each compartment consists of
one paddle
❑ Each paddle consists of three
wheels
❑ Each wheel consists of 4
boards
❑ Each board consists of 1 blade
Solution
𝐶𝐷 𝐴𝑝 𝜌𝑣𝑝3
P=
2
• P at first compartment = 470 W
• Velocity of paddle, vp = 0.67 m/s at 75% efficiency
• Actual vp = 0.67 x 75% = 0.5 m/s
• Drag coefficient, Cd = 1.8
Ap = Total area of paddle blade in the 1st compartment
Ap = (Lb x wb) x (4 boards) x (3 wheels)
Ap = 2.5 x wb x 4 x 3 = 30wb
𝐶𝐷 𝐴𝑝 𝜌𝑣𝑝3 1.8 x 30wb x 999.1 x 0.53
Sub into ➔ P = = 470 =
2 2

Thus wb = 0.14 m