SETTLING COLUMN

TEST
SANDEEP TIWARI
Discrete particles
• Particles whose size, shape and specific gravity do not change with time.

Flocculent particles
• These particles undergo changes in shape size and specific gravity due to unique
properties which cause them to aggregate (coalesce).

Dilute suspension
• No significant displacement of water as particles settle, the concentration of suspended
solids in less.

Concentrated suspension
• Significant displacement of water as particles settle, the concentration of suspended
solids in greater.
TYPE 1 SETTLING
• All particles with settling velocity greater than v0 are removed
completely. The particles with settling velocity less than v0 are
removed in the ratio v/v0 or h/h0. The removal of particle sizes can be
computed by graphical integration from the relationship.

Where C0 is the fraction of particles with v <= v0

TYPE 2 SETTLING
• Flocculent settling occurs when the settling velocity of the particles
increases as it settles through the tank depth, owing to coalescence
with other particles, thereby increasing the settling rate and yielding
a curvilinear settling path.
• A mathematical analysis is not possible in the case of flocculent
suspension, due to interparticle contact during the settling of
suspension.
• Thus a laboratory settling analysis is required to establish the
necessary design parameters.
• Though design formula based on quiescent settling columns may not
be as accurate as those based on continuous flow tracer laboratory
model studies (which require excessive attention & planning).
Settling Column test
• Column height should be equal to the height of proposed
tank (2-4 m)
• Column diameter (minimum 30 cm)
• Sampling points at intervals of about 0.6m
Procedure
• The flocculent suspension whose settling characteristics are to be
determined are introduced in the settling column in such a manner
that a uniform distribution of particle size occurs from top to bottom.
The settling is allowed to take place in quiescent conditions at
uniform temperature to eliminate convection current.
• Allow settling time for suspension to settle and samples are to be
collected from individual points periodically (regular time interval).
• Determine Total Suspended Solids (TSS) concentration, at variable
depth and time interval, by analyzing fractions remaining in
suspensions.
• Calculate the required percentage removed for individual sample, which is given by
the below expression.
• Percentage removal of suspended solids is computed at various depths and time
intervals and plotted as a number with column depth on the vertical axis and time
interval on the horizontal axis. Iso-percent removal curves (percentage (%) removal) is
drawn (like in contours from spot levels). Interpolate between plots of points for
curves which is equivalent percentage removal that indicates 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%,
80%, 90% and 100% .
• The percentage removal of suspended solids for a given time t, can be computed
from 

Percentage removal= X + 10*(di/d0)

where, X is % of suspended solids removed completely for given time and depth
di/d0 is the average depth settled to total settling depth
• Overflow rates against percent suspended solids removal and retention
time against percent suspended solids removal are developed.
• For a required percent suspended solids removal , the overflow rate
and the detention time for a given initial suspended solids
concentration are selected.
• For design overflow rate is decreased by a factor 1.25 to 1.75 and and
detention time increased by a factor of 1.5 to 2.0 to account for the
effects of turbulence, short circuiting, inlet and outlet losses.
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