CEG 507: Lecture Series No 4: Treatment Process- Sedimentation.

April 7, 2014

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Sedimentation Process
It is the removal of solid particles from suspension by settling under gravity.
Sedimentation process is used for the removal from water discrete particles, flocculated
matter, and precipitation formed during various water treatment operations.

Classification of Settling Behaviour/Categories of Sedimentation Process

i. Unhindered of discrete particles
ii. Settling of dilute suspension of flocculent particles.
iii. Hindered / zone settling
iv. Compression settling or compaction settling
The above could be referred to as four classes of settling behaviour of particles.

Settling Of Discrete Particles

A discrete particle moving vertically downward through a quiescent fluid will accelerate until
the frictional resistance of drag of the fluid equals the impelling force acting upon the
particle, particle then settles at a uniform velocity.













Vp = particle settling velocity (m/s)
d = the drag force
w = submerged weight of the particle
d = the diameter of the particle (m)
Ap = projected area of particle normal at direction of motion (m
2
)
p = volume of particle (m
3
)
= density of particles (kg/m
3
)
f

= fluid density (kg/m
3
)
= dynamic viscosity of fluid (N.s/m
2
).

Figure 1: An idealized spherical particle

CEG 507: Lecture Series No 4: Treatment Process- Sedimentation. April 7, 2014

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C
D
= drag coefficient

To find an expression for Vp (particle settling velocity);

Drag force on the particle is given:

D = C
D
A
p

2
2
p
V
................ eqn 1

Taking the submerged weight of particles as:

w = ( p -
f
)g p .................. eqn 2

Substitute for Ap and p , and re-arranging by equating equations 1 and 2

Vp =
D
d
f
C g / 3 / 4
|
|
.
|

\
|

Drag coefficient C
D
is a function of the Reynolds number (Re). Re for spherical particle
therefore:
i. R
e
< 1, C
D
= 24/R
e


ii. For 1 < R
e
<10
4
, C
D
= 24/R
e
+ 3/(R
e
)

+ 0.34

iii. For 10
3
< R
e
<10
5
, C
D
= 0.4
For laminar flow, Re

< 1, note also that R
e
=

c
Vp
f
, and substituting in equation 3
p
V
( )
2
18
d
f g

=

At high values of Re, where C
D
= 0.4 the expression becomes

( )
gd
f
Vp * 33 . 3

=

Limitations:
- Particles diameter and density are usually unknown in practical sedimentation
process.
- Particles are usually irregular in shape.

Note: Vp (Particle settling velocity) depends on:-
CEG 507: Lecture Series No 4: Treatment Process- Sedimentation. April 7, 2014

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i. Particles diameter
ii. Particles density
iii. Fluid viscosity
iv. Temperature

In practical sedimentation tanks, the terminal settling velocity is reached quickly, discrete
particles and in uniform fluid flow; the settling velocity is constant throughout the settling
time.

Sedimentation in an Ideal Tank

In ideal rectangular horizontal flow sedimentation:
i. Inlet zone where water is distributed along the cross-section.
ii. A settling zone which removes suspended particles and is in a quiescent state.
iii. A sludge zone which collects settled particles.
iv. An outlet zone through which water along with non-settleable particles is carried
outside the tank.

The critical particle for design purpose is that one that enters at the top of the settling zone at
point A.
It settles with velocity just sufficient to reach the sludge zone at the outlet end of the tank at
point B.
Velocity components of such a particle = Vh in the horizontal direction, while Vp (the
terminal settling velocity) is in the vertical direction.

Time require for the particle to settle, considering the geometry of the tank i.e. detention
time.
t
o
=
Vh
L
Vp
H
=
Note: Vh (velocity in the horizontal direction) = Q/WH

V
p
= Q/WL (Surface Area)
Q = flow rate
L = length of tank
W= width of tank
H = depth of tank

Note: the surface area of the tank (A) = W * L

Hence V
p
=Q/WL = Q/A

[V
p
= Q/A] -the terminal settling velocity which is also the surface loading rate or overflow rate.

CEG 507: Lecture Series No 4: Treatment Process- Sedimentation. April 7, 2014

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Figure 2: Types of Sedimentation tanks



For any particle to settle in an ideal sedimentation tank; a settling velocity of Q/A is essential.

CEG 507: Lecture Series No 4: Treatment Process- Sedimentation. April 7, 2014

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Note: (Q/A) = the surface loading rate or overflow rate is a fundamental parameter governing
sedimentation tank performance.

Sedimentation efficiency is independent of tank depth (under the condition that the froward
velocity is low enough to ensure that settled materials is not scoured and re-suspended from
the tank floor.

Circular Radial Flow Tank

Same relationship as affects ideal rectangular tank applies here (See figure).

V
p
= Q/A, V
p
= terminal settling velocity

Detention time: t
o
= H/V
p

t
o
=
}
c
2
1
R
R
h
v
r

Since V
r
=
rH
Q
t 2


Then, t =
}
2
1
.
2
R
R
dr r
Q
H t


=
( )
Q
H R R
2
1
2
2
t


Since, r ( )
2
1
2
2
R R = A, hence
Q
AH
V
H
p
=
V
p
A
Q
=


Ideal Upflow Sedimentation Tank

Particle will only be removed if the settling velocity (V
p
) exceeds the upflow velocity of
water.
Minimum upflow velocity is represented by (Q/A) (flowrate / surface area)
The minimum settling velocity needed equals Q/A). See Figure 1c

Particle remover occurs when V
u
= Q/A
V
p
= V
u

Also:

V
p
= Q/A
CEG 507: Lecture Series No 4: Treatment Process- Sedimentation. April 7, 2014

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Note:

(i) In ideal sedimentation tank, horizontal or radical flow pattern:

- Particles with settling velocity less than:

V
p
= Q/A, i.e.
n
V
p
, will also be removed in
the proportion (1/n).
(ii) In ideal upflow tank, particle with settling velocity
A
Q
p
Z v will be removed.
We have just treated the first class of settling, unhindered settling of discrete particles. The
remaining three are:

i. Settling of dilute suspension of flocculent particles.
ii. Hindered/ zone settling
iii. Compression or compaction.


Class II: Settlement of Dilute Suspension of Flocculent Particles

This class of settling behaviour is for organic waste matter, biological solids, and flocculated
impurities.

Sedimentation Process:
i. Variety of particles sizes settle at different rates, larger particles settle first,
overtaking, slower settling particles.
ii. Colliding particles coalesce to form larger particles with increased settling
velocity
iii. Depth should be greater enough to provide the opportunity for particle
agglomeration to occur. Hence, sedimentation tanks for flocculent suspension
must have depth consideration.
iv. Detention time (t) =
Q
WLH
Q
=

, note WL = Area (A)

= volume of settling zone (m
3
)

Q = flow rate (m
3
/s)

Detention time (t) =
Q
AH
,
|
.
|

\
|
A
Q
H
where L, W, and H are length and the depth of
the tank.

CEG 507: Lecture Series No 4: Treatment Process- Sedimentation. April 7, 2014

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Figure 3: Settling path in an ideal settling tank


Class III: Hindered Settling, Zone Settling and Sludge Blanket Clarifiers

Class three setting behaviour occurs with increasing particles concentration in suspension.
i. There is a reduced particle-settling velocity due to display of velocity field of the
fluid by adjacent particles overlap.
ii. There is also a reduced particle settling velocity known as hindered settling
iii. When the whole suspension tends to settle as a blanket under extreme particle
concentration, it is known as zone settling.

Class IV: Compression or Compaction Settling
This class of settling behaviour occurs due to extreme condition of high particle
concentration.

Compressed particles get settled under the weight of overlying solids, with decrease in void
spaces with a corresponding squeezing of water out of the matrix. Compression settling is
very important in gravity thickening processes.