ACEE 434

Environmental Systems Design

Week 5
September 30,
30 2009

ACEE 434 Fall 2009 HDP 1

Gravity Settling in a WWTP
Off-line flow equalization
(used to dampen peak flows)

Grit
removal
Influent

Screens and
comminution

Unit operations adopting sedimentation

Sedimentation: the term applied to the separation of suspended particles

that are heavier than water by gravitational settling

MetCalf and Eddy Figure 5-1

Location of physical unit operations in a wastewater-
treatment plant flow diagram
ACEE 434 Fall 2009 HDP 2
 Types of Settling
1. Type I settling:
- discrete, nonflocculent particles in a dilute suspension
- settle as separate
p units, and there is no apparent
pp flocculation or interaction
between the particles
- settling of sand particles in grit chambers

2. Type II settling:
- settling of flocculent particles in a dilute suspension
- flocculate during settling and increase in size and settle at a faster velocity
- settling in primary clarifiers

ACEE 434 Fall 2009 HDP 3

 Types of Settling
3. Type III settling:
- zone or hindered settling
- settling
g in an intermediate concentration
- the particles are so close together that interparticle forces hinder the settling
of neighboring particles
- settle at a constant velocity
- settling in secondary clarifiers (upper part)

4. Type IV settling:
- compression settling
- settling in a high concentration
- the particles touch each other and settling can occur only by compression of
the compacting mass
- settling in secondary clarifiers (lower part)

ACEE 434 Fall 2009 HDP 4

 Particle Settling Theory
FG = ( ρ p − ρ w ) gV
Vp
where FG = gravitaional force, MLT -2 (kg ⋅ m/s 2 )
ρ p = density of particle, ML-3 (kg/m 3 )
Fd

ρ w = density of water, ML-3 (kg/m 3 )

g = acceleration due to gravity, LT - 2 (9.81 m/s 2 )
V p = volume
l ti l L3 (m
off particle, ( 3)

Cd Ap ρ wv 2p
Fd =
2 FG
where Fd = drag force, MLT -2 (kg ⋅ m/s 2 )
Cd = drag
g coefficient ((unitless))
Ap = cross - sectional or projected area of particles in direction of flow, L2 (m 2 )
v p = particle settling velocity, LT -1 (m/s)

ACEE 434 Fall 2009 HDP 5

 Particle Settling Theory

⎛ ρ p − ρw ⎞
v p (t ) =
4g
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟d p =
4g
(sg p − 1)d p For spherical particles
3Cd ⎝ ρ w ⎠ 3C d

where v p (t ) = terminal velocity of particle, LT -1 (m/s)

d p = diameter of particle, L (m)
sg p = specific gravity of particle

4g ⎛ ρ p − ρw ⎞
v p (t ) = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟d p =
4g
(sg p − 1)d p For nonspherical particles
3Cd φ ⎝ ρ w ⎠ 3Cd φ
where φ = shape factor
(sphere:1 0 sand grain:2.0,
(sphere:1.0, grain:2 0 fractional flocs: ≥20)

ACEE 434 Fall 2009 HDP 6

 Particle Settling Theory
Laminar Transition Turbulent

MetCalf and Eddy Figure 5-20

Coefficient of drag as a function of Reynolds
number

24 3
• Drag coefficient: Cd = + + 0.34
NR NR

v pd p ρw vpd p
• Reynolds number: N R = =
μ v
h μ = dynamic
where d it , MTL-2 (N ⋅ s/m
i viscosity
i / 2)
v = kinematic viscosity, L2 T -1 (m 2 /s)
ACEE 434 Fall 2009 HDP 7
 Calculation of Vp(t)
1. Laminar zone

Cd =
24
=
24v
v p (t ) =
4g
(sg p − 1)d p = 4 g ( 24v )(sg p − 1)d p
NR vpd p 3Cd 3 vpd p

g g
v p (t ) = ( sg p − 1)d p2 = ( ρ p − ρ w )d p2
18v 18μ

2. Transition zone
try & error
Cd =
24
NR
+
3
+ 0.34 v p (t ) =
4g
(sg p − 1)d p
NR 3Cd

3. Turbulent zone

Cd = 0.4 v p (t ) =
4g
(sg p − 1)d p = 4 g (sg p − 1)d p = 3.3g (sg p − 1)d p Grit chamber
3Cd 3 × 0.4

ACEE 434 Fall 2009 HDP 8

Calculation of Vp(t)

sg p

Reynolds and Richards

ACEE 434 Fall 2009 HDP 9

 Ideal Basin Theory
1. The settling is type I
2. There is an even distribution of the flow
entering the basin
3 There
3. Th iis an even di
distribution
ib i off the
h flflow
leaving the basin
4. There is three zones in the basin: (1) the
entering
t i zone, (2) th the outlet
tl t zone, andd (3)
the sludge zone
5. There is uniform distribution of particles
throughout the depth of the entering
zone
6. Particles that enter the sludge zone
remain there
there, and particles that enter the
outlet zone are removed

Reynolds and Richards Figure 9-6

Ideal Rectangular Settling Basin

ACEE 434 Fall 2009 HDP 10

 Ideal Basin Theory

Reynolds and Richards Figure 9-6

Ideal Rectangular Settling Basin

Vo = the settling velocity of the smallest particle size that is 100% removed
Vo = the horizontal velocity

H L LWH Vol
Detention time t= = = = V0 =
Q
V0 V Q Q LW
Q
V= Plan area of the basin
HW
The overflow rate is equivalent to the settling velocity of the smallest particle size
that is 100% removed
removed.

ACEE 434 Fall 2009 HDP 11

 Fraction removed
• Assumption:
p the p
particles of various sizes are uniformly
y distributed over the
entire depth of the basin at the inlet

vp
vc

vp
Xr =
vc
where X r = fraction of particles with settling velocity v p that are removed

Xc vp
Fraction removed = ( 1 − X c ) + ∫ dx
0 vc

ACEE 434 Fall 2009 HDP 12

2. Grit Removal

ACEE 434 Fall 2009 HDP 13

 Objectives of Grit Chambers
1. Protect moving mechanical equipment from abrasion and accompanying
abnormal wear

2. Reduce formation of heavy deposits in pipelines, channels, and conduits

3. Reduce the frequency of digester cleaning caused by excessive

accumulation of grit

ACEE 434 Fall 2009 HDP 14

Horizontal--Flow Grit Chamber
Horizontal

Reynolds and Richards Figure 7-5

ACEE 434 Fall 2009 HDP 15

Horizontal--Flow Grit Chamber
Horizontal
Unit Range Typical
Detention time s 45-90 60
Horizontal velocity m/s 0.25-0.4 0.3
Settling velocity for removal of:
0.21 mm material m/min 1.0-1.3 1.15
0.15 mm material m/min 0.6-0.9 0.75
Headloss in a control section as % 30-40 36
pecent of depth in channel
Added length allowance for % 25-50 30
inlet and outlet turbulence

MetCalf and Eddy Table 5-16

Typical design information for horizontal-flow grit chamber

ACEE 434 Fall 2009 HDP 16

Aerated Grit Chamber

MetCalf and Eddy Figure 5-34

Helical flow pattern in an aerated grit chamber

ACEE 434 Fall 2009 HDP 17

Aerated Grit Chamber

MetCalf and Eddy Figure 5-33

Typical section through an aerated grit chamber

ACEE 434 Fall 2009 HDP 18

 Aerated Grit Chamber
1. Air is introduced along one side of a rectangular tank to create a spiral flow
pattern perpendicular to the flow through the tank.

2. If the velocity is too great, grit will be carried out of the chamber; if it is too
small, organic material will be removed with the grit.

3 Normally designed to remove 0.21-mm-diameter

3. 0 21 mm diameter or larger,
larger with 2-5-minute
2 5 minute
detention periods at the peak hourly rate of flow

4. Air diffusers are located about 0.45 to 0.6m above the normal plane of the
bottom.

ACEE 434 Fall 2009 HDP 19

 Aerated Grit Chamber
Unit Range Typical
Detention time at peak flow min 2-5 3
Dimensions:
Depth m 2-5
Length m 7.5-20
7.5 20
Width m 2.5-7 1.15
Width-depth ratio ratio 1:1 to 5:1 1.5:1
L th idth ratio
Legth-width ti ratio
ti 3 1 to
3:1 t 5:1
51 41
4:1
Air supply per unit of length m3/min/min 0.2-0.5
Grit quantities m3/103m3 0.004-0.20 0.015

MetCalf and Eddy Table 5-17

Typical design information for aerated grit chamber

ACEE 434 Fall 2009 HDP 20

 Design Example
Aerated Girt Chamber

• Conditions:
- Average wastewater flowrate = 0.5
0 5 m3/s
- Peaking factor = 2.75

1. Estimating peak flowrate:

Peak flowrate = 0.5
0 5 m 3 /s × 2.75
2 75 = 1.38
1 38 m 3 /s

2. Determining the grit chamber volume (2 sets):

Grit chamber volume = 0.5 × 1.38 m 3 /s × 3 min x 60 s/min = 124.2 m 3

MetCalf and Eddy Design Example 5-9

ACEE 434 Fall 2009 HDP 21

 Design Example
Aerated Girt Chamber

3. Determining the dimensions of each grit chamber:

Assuming width-to-depth ratio = 1.2:1 and depth = 3 m
a. Width = 1.2 (3 ) = 3.6
1 2 (3m) 3 6m
3.6 m
volume 124.2 m 3 11.5 m
b. Length = = = 11.5 m 3.0 m
width × depth
p 3 m × 3.6 m

4. Determining the detention time at average flow

124.2 m 3 1 min
Detention time = = 496
496.8s(
8s( ) = 8.28
8 28 min
(0.25 m 3 /s) 60 s

5. Determining
g the air supply
pp y requirement
q

Air required = 11.5 m × 0.3 m 3 /min ⋅ m = 3.45 m 3 /min for each grit chamber

ACEE 434 Fall 2009 HDP 22

 Design Example
Aerated Girt Chamber

6. Estimating the quantity of grit at peak flow:

Assuming 0.05 m3/103 m3
Volume grit = (1.38
(1 38 m 3 /s)(86,400 s/d)(0 05 m 3 /103m3 ) = 5.96
/s)(86 400 s/d)(0.05 5 96 m 3 /d

3.6 m
• Ave. flowrate = 0.5 m3/s 11 5 m
11.5
• Peak flowrate = 1.38 m3/s

3.0 m

• Air supply rate 6 9 m3/min

6.9 • Grit production
• Volume = 124.2 m3 5.96 m3/d
• Detention time = 8.28 min @ peak flow

ACEE 434 Fall 2009 HDP 23

Vortex--Type Grit Chamber
Vortex

MetCalf and Eddy Figure 5-37

Vortex-type grit chambers: (a) Pista (Courtesy Smith &
Loveless) and (b) Teacup (Courtesy Eutek)

ACEE 434 Fall 2009 HDP 24

 Summary
• Types
T off settling
ttli
• Type I settling theory
• Calculation of terminal velocity
• Calculation of fraction removed
• Horizontal flow grit chamber
• Aerated grit chamber
• Vortex type girt chamber

ACEE 434 Fall 2009 HDP 25