ENE-302

WATER TREATMENT AND DISTRIBUTION

Chapter 4

Sedimentation

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 Sedimentation
Principle
Solid liquid separation by gravitational force
Water
Solid
Objective
To remove:
Suspended solid existed in wastewater (primary settling) or
Flocs produced by the action of coagulation-flocculation or
Bioflocs from a biological treatment (secondary clarification)
Size determination
Surface loading (m3/m2.h)
Detention time (h)
Weir loading rate (m3/m.h)
Solids loading (kg of SS/m2.h) - not an important factor
Note: Sedimentation rate of SS depend on their size.
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 Types of Sedimentation Tanks
Type: Rectangular, Square, Circular
Flow pattern: Radial, Horizontal, Upflow

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 Ideal of Settling Basin
Four zones of a sedimentation basin :
Target baffle Perforated baffle Effluent weir

Inlet Zone
Inlet zone: evenly distribute the flow &SS
across the cross-section of theCLARIFIER
HORIZONTAL FLOW settling
zones   25% of the tank length.

Inlet Zone

UPFLOW CLARIFIER 4
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 Ideal of Settling Basin
Four zones of a sedimentation basin :
Target baffle Perforated baffle Effluent weir

Settling Zone

Settling zone: where the actual settling of

particles take place. FLOW CLARIFIER
HORIZONTAL

Settling Zone

UPFLOW CLARIFIER 5
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 Ideal of Settling Basin
Four zones of a sedimentation basin :
Target baffle Perforated baffle Effluent weir

Outlet
Zone

HORIZONTAL FLOW CLARIFIER

Outlet Zone

Outlet zone:
collecting settled water without carrying
away any of the flocs.
Should be designed to avoid scouring by
having eitherUPFLOW
weirs or CLARIFIER
trough. 6
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 Ideal of Settling Basin
Four zones of a sedimentation basin :
Target baffle Perforated baffle Effluent weir

Sludge Zone

HORIZONTAL FLOW CLARIFIER

Sludge zone : Collection of sludge.
Configuration & depth of the sludge zone
depends on the method of cleaning &
quantity of sludge deposited.
Well flocculated solids, 75% settle in the
1/5th of the tank length

Sludge Zone
UPFLOW CLARIFIER 7
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 Ideal of Settling Basin
Four zones of a sedimentation basin :
Target baffle Perforated baffle Effluent weir

Settling Zone
Outlet
Zone
Inlet Zone
Sludge Zone

HORIZONTAL FLOW CLARIFIER

Outet Zone

Settling Zone

Inlet zone

Sludge Zone
UPFLOW CLARIFIER 8
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 For Design
Inlet Zone Settling Zone Outlet Zone
vd
Inflow Q vS h outflow Q
vd
ho vo
dl
vd
h dh v
S

Sludge Zone
l
lo
Settling Paths of discrete Particles in a Horizontal Flow Tank
vo is the velocity of the particle falling through the full depth h0 of
the settling zone in the detention time to.
ho vd = displacement velocity
vo  vs = settling velocity
to
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 For Design
V l .w .ho
to  
Q Q
V = volume
w = width of the channel
Q Q
vo   = Surface loading or
l .w As Overflow Velocity
As = surface area
Removal is independent of the depth
All particles with vS  vo are removed

Calculate or estimate vs:

vo = 0.8 vs

Particles of vs < v0 can be removed from horizontal flow basins if

vS
they are within vertical distance of  l o from the sludge zone.
vd
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 For Design

AS = Surface Area

v1=vo

vS

v1 Sediments

v1 = Liquid flow rate

vS = Terminal settling velocity of particle
Q = Liquid flow rate

Settling in an Upflow Clarifier

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Settling Velocity
Discrete Settling (Type 1): Settling of
dilute suspensions which have little or
no tendency to flocculate

Clear water zone

Discrete settling zone Type 1

Depth

Flocculant settling zone Type 2

Hinder settling zone Type 3

Compress settling zone Type 4

Time Cylinder
Schematic of Settling Zone for Concentrated suspension

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Settling Velocity
Flocculant Settling (Type 2): Settling of
dilute suspensions with flocculation
taking place during the settling process

Clear water zone

Discrete settling zone Type 1

Depth

Flocculant settling zone Type 2

Hinder settling zone Type 3

Compress settling zone Type 4

Time Cylinder
Schematic of Settling Zone for Concentrated suspension

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Settling Velocity
Zone Settling/hinder Settling (Type 3)
This occurs when particles settle as a mass and
not as discrete particle.
Inter-particle forces hold the particle (which are
sufficiently close) in fixed position
High concentration > 1000 mg/L
Depth

Flocculant settling zone Type 2

Hinder settling zone Type 3

Compress settling zone Type 4

Time Cylinder
Schematic of Settling Zone for Concentrated suspension

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Settling Velocity
Compression settling (Type 4): Settlement
taking place over the resistance provided by the
compacting mass resulting from particles that
are in contact with each other
Clear water zone

Discrete settling zone Type 1

Depth

Flocculant settling zone Type 2

Hinder settling zone Type 3

Compress settling zone Type 4

Time Cylinder
Schematic of Settling Zone for Concentrated suspension

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Type I: Discrete Particle Settling
For spherical particles:
g .(  S  L ) 2
vs  d
18 
vS = terminal velocity
s = density of the particle
L = density of the liquid
g = acceleration due to gravity
d = diameter of particle
 = dynamic viscosity

In the design of sedimentation basins:

Select a particle with terminal velocity vS and
Design the basin so that all particles that have vS  vo will
be removed.

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Type II: Flocculant Particle Settling
Column Diameter :  300 mm.
Depth: :  Sedimentation Tank Depth.
Sampling Points : 0.6 m interval.
Physical Condition : Constant toC and non-turbulence.
Measurement : % removal = function(time, depth)
300 mm
Sampling
ports

The settling characteristics for the flocculant

particles are obtained from a settling column.
0.6m

Po
1
R  (1  Po )   v S dP
vo 0
Po: The portion of the particles with
a settling velocity  vo

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 Type II: Flocculant Particle Settling
R at time t: hn  R n  R n 1 
R    
total height  2 
 h  R  R2   h2  R2  R3   h3  R3  R4   h4  R4  R5 
  1  1             
 h5  2   h5  2   h5  2   h5  2 
300 mm
Depth
h1
R1
h1 h2

h2
h3
h3

h4 R2
h4
h5
R6 R5 R4 R3 Time
t1 t2 t3 t4 t5 18
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Type II: Flocculant Particle Settling

In practice, settling velocity or overflow rate vo obtained from

column study is multiplied by factor 0.65 - 0.85 and
The detention times are multiplied by a factor 1.25 - 1.5.

300 mm
Depth
h1
R1
h1 h2

h2
h3
h3

h4 R2
h4
h5
R6 R5 R4 R3 Time
t1 t2 t3 t4 t5 19
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Type III: Hindered Settling
When the particle concentration is so high (> 1000 mg/L), the whole
suspension tends to settle as a `Blanket‘ (particles are so close to
each other  no longer settle independently).
The interaction between the particles become more important &
velocity fields of the fluid displaced by adjacent particles overlap.
There is a net upward flow of liquid displaced by the settling
particles  a reduced particle settling velocity. The effect is known
as HINDERED SETTLING/ ZONE SETTLING.
The upflow velocity of the water to maintain high conc. of solids in
suspension  increase opportunity for aggloromation  assist
removing very fine particles.
Discrete settle Hindered Settle

Type IV: Compression Settling

Normally used for sludge dewatering

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Conventional Sedimentation Tanks
Flow is usually horizontal
Circular or Rectangular sedimentation tanks

Design Criteria for Horizontal Flow

Sedimentation Tanks
Parameter Design value
Surface loading rate (m3/m2.d) 20 - 60
Mean horizontal velocity (m/min) 0.15 - 0.90 Circular settling tank
Water depth (m) 2-3
Detention time (h) 2-4
Weir loading rate (m3/m.d) 100 - 200
Solid loading rate (kg/m2.d):
+ Primary sedimentation 15 - 34
+ Secondary clarifier 49 - 98
Rectangular settling tank
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Plate and Tube Settlers
Removal efficiency is directly related to the settling velocity & not
the basin depth  shallow as possible to optimize the efficiency.
Plate/tube settlers: shallow settling devices consisting of stacked
off-set trays/bundles of small plastic tubes.
Q
vo 
AS
when Q = constant, As increase  vo    the efficiency
The principle of plate settlers is to increase As by tubes or plates.

Practical limitations of this theory :

1. Needs laminar flow through the tube;
2. When the velocity through plates reaches a certain level - deposited
solids could be lifted;
3. Difficulties related to sludge removal which leads to development of
Inclined plate/tube settlers.
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Plate and Tube Settlers
Horizontal tube  distance to be traveled = d d
d d’
cos q  d
d' q
When q = 0  d’ = d
When q = 60o  d’ = 2d v1
L L cos q vS
v 1 max  vS '  vS
d d L
In tube settlers, tubes can be rectangular or circular. Angle of
inclination : 45-60°
If angle > 60°  efficiency decreases.
If angle < 45°  sludge tends to accumulate within the plates
and tubes.
Advantages:
Cost effective method of upgrading;
Do not require any mechanical device;
Low cost options;
Less land area 23
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Horizontal Tube Settler
Settling angle is slightly inclined (50) in the direction of the flow.
The depth of particle fall varies inversely with the Cosine of q, is
smallest  HT Settler theoretically requires less tube volume.
At q = 60° would effectively double the maximum fall distance for
particle entering the tube.
Requires frequent cleaning to wash down the accumulated sludge
Not advocated for large water treatment plants - limited only for
small water treatment plants.(1-2 MGD)
treated water troughs
Outlet
Inlet

Tube
modules

50
TUBE SETLLERS IN A RECTANGULAR CLARIFIER
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Inclined Tube Settler
Inclined to an angle of 450 - 500
Higher slope facilitates gravity drainage of sludge
Suitable for high capacity installations

Inclined tube modules

Inlet Outlet

Support

to sludge treatment Sludge hopper

INCLINED TUBE SETLLERS IN A CIRCULAR CLARIFIER

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Lamella Separators

Used in most of the upflow clarifiers

Equipped with sludge movement deflecting blades

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Lamella Separators

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Limitations of Plate and Tube Settlers
Tropical climatic conditions  Algae growth in tubes and
plates  maintenance and odor problems. Easy to clean in
Lamella but not in Tubular Module.
The design of inlet & outlet structures or the tube
performance could be affected by turbulence & uneven flow.
In wastewater treatment, buildup of oil and grease.
Sometimes high pressure hose water is injected to flush out
the solids. However, this flushing is a problem.
Sometimes the sludge deposition rate  removal rate.

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 Clariflocculators
Objective
Flocculation & Sedimentation in a single unit  reducing plant size

Efffluent
Clarifying zone
Scraper Floculation zone

Sludge

Influent Mixing zone

Coagulant
Practically it is difficult to maintain the velocity of 0.6 m/s
To avoid this problem  clariflocculator (flocculation +
sedimentation) usually circular sedimentation tanks.
Simple modification of conventional sedimentation unit. This
technique will not use Sludge Blanket Formation 29
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 Clariflocculators
Applications:
Water Treatment - High Turbid waters;
- Chemically formed flocs and impurities.
Final Sedimentation of Activated Sludge
Chemical Treatment of Sewage
Iron and Manganese Removal

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 Sludge Blanket Clarifiers (SBC)
Rapid mixing and flocculation in the central conical zone - here
high floc concentration is maintained.
The flocculated water is directed through the sludge blanket at
the bottom of the tank to promote growth of larger clusters of
flocs where heavier particles have already settled.
Precipitated flocs helps capturing micro-particles flocs (Sweep
Flocculation).

Clarified water outlet Vacuum chamber

Reagent
Vacuum pump

Inlet
Sludge blanket Sludge
disscharge
Stilling plates Distribution pipes

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 Sludge Blanket Clarifiers (SBC)
Dimension of a SBC
Using a Jar Test method find the optimum flocculation;
Prepare fresh suspension;
Pour into 1 liter cylinder;
Make an homogenous mixture using manual mixing.
Set time = 0;
Observe the height of the solid/liquid interface and note for 30
minutes.

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 Sludge Blanket Clarifiers (SBC)
From raw
water Coagulant Flocculator Secondary settling
intake
Sand filter
Cl
2
Mixer

WATER TREATMENT FLOW DIAGRAM Chlorine contactor

Coagulant

From raw Sand filter

water intake Cl
2

Sludge Blanket Clarifier

Chlorine contactor
WATER TREATMENT FLOW DIAGRAM WITH SBC
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 Sludge Blanket Clarifiers (SBC)

Advantages
Working of the unit is very simple
Better economy because of the combination of clarifier and
flocculation and at times the filter as well.
Suitable for application in rural areas due to ease of maintenance
and operation.
Can be applied to varying initial turbidities, particularly for high
turbidities.
Head loss is low compared to the other conventional techniques.

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 Sludge Blanket Clarifiers (SBC)

Disadvantages
Floc blanket formation after starting up takes time. Artificial
feeding of clay suspension.
Proper upflow velocity must be provided to prevent sludge settling
and possible clogging of inlet.
Low turbid waters require addition of artificial turbidity at start-up
for rapid blanket formation.
Care must be taken to prevent algae growth.
Hydraulic overloading or turbidity may lead to floc carry over and
plugging of the filters.
SBC requires the attention of a skilled operator, especially if raw
water quality and flow rates are variable.

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Static Settling Tanks (without Sludge Scrapers)
Ordinary Cylindrical Settling Tank with Conical Bottom
Application : Primary Settling
Design parameters:
Flow rate : <20 m3/h
Upward flow rate : 1 - 2 m/h
Slope of conical part : 45 to 650

Inlet Outlet

Drain

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Plate Type Settling Tanks
Combines in one unit
A mixing zone for sewage and added reagents
An accelerated flocculator
A plate settling zone
Collection trough
Inlet Outlet

Flocculator Plate settler

45-60o

Distribution channel

Sludge hopper To sludge treatment

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Circular Settling Tanks
Application: primary settling and secondary clarification
Design parameters:
Slope of the floor : 4 - 10%
Sludge is scraped into a central hopper
Scraper system : radial bridge with peripheral drive
Can be equipped with a flocculator
Floating matter
collector

Inlet Scraper system

Outlet

to sludge treatment Sludge hopper 38

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Rectangular Settling Tanks

Application: primary settling and secondary clarification

Design parameters:
Characteristics
length/width : 2.5 - 4
slope of the bottom : 1% Scraper system

Floating matter
Scraper chain collector Weir
Inlet

Outlet
Sludge hopper

to sludge treatment
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Sludge Contact Settling Tanks
Application: Physico-chemical treatment
Principle:
Slow stirring of suspension in order to enable colloidal matter
and added flocculating reagents to coalesce
Characteristics:
Sludge is separated from water in calm zones (sludge hoppers)
from where it is automatically extracted by valves or siphons.
Reagents

Primary mixing zone

Settling zone
Inlet Turbine
Sludge zone
Sludge drain
Secondary mixing zone

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Factors Affecting the Sedimentation Process

Currents
Eddy currents : setup by the inertia of the incoming liquid
Surface currents : wind induced in open basins
Vertical convection currents : thermal in origin
Density currents : causing cold or heavy water to underun a
basin and warm or light water to flow across its surface
Current induced by outlet structures
Short circuiting and basin stability
Variation in detention time
Can be detected by adding dye, electrolyte or other tracer
substance
Scour of bottom deposits
Lifting of settled sludge from the sludge zone
Can be avoided by the geometry of the structure. Short circuiting
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