UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

FACULTY OF MECHANICAL AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

DEPARTIMENT OF MINING AND MINERAL PROCESSING ENGINEERING

LABORATORY REPORT
ON
SEDIMENTATION

Student: GAMA MATHIAS

Reg. No; 2006-04-02482 Group: II

Year of study: Third Year

Date of experiment: 12nd .May. 2009

Instructor: MR. MANGASINI

Date handed in: 26. May. 2009.

Assessment: Neatness and layout:

Lab Report:
Total Marks:

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ABSTRACT
The sedimentation experiment is aiming to determine the mean particle size of the particles of
quartz sand and the design area of the thickener ,60gram of the sample and 25 mls of Fecl3
(coagulant) was introduced in the measuring cylinder then water was added up to the 1000
cm3mark . The mixture was then shaken to form uniform suspension then the settling rate of the
solids liquid interface was recorded after each 30 sec. the experiment was repeated four more
times by adding 20gram of the sample each time. The result obtained was plotted and analyzed
by using sedimentation principles to obtain the required thickener area for each initial
concentration of the feed . the relationship between feed concentration and area at constant feed
rate and underflow concentration has been observed to be directly proportion . also the mean
particle size diameter has been calculated by using the formula established by ROBINSON in
1926 and the mean particle diameter was 31.3 microns.

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CONTENTS

ABSTRACT.....................................................................................................................................i
CONTENTS.....................................................................................................................................i
1.0 INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................1
2.0 THEORETICAL PRINCIPLES................................................................................................2
2.1 COAGULATION..................................................................................................................2
2.2 FLOCCULATION.................................................................................................................2
2.3 GRAVITY SEDIMENTATION............................................................................................3
2.4 THICKENER DESIGN.........................................................................................................3
3.0 EXPERIMENTAL PART.........................................................................................................5
3.1 MATERIAL USED...............................................................................................................5
3.2 EQUIPMENTS......................................................................................................................5
3.3 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES......................................................................................5
3.4 CALCULATIONS.................................................................................................................6
3.5 THICKENER AREA CALCULATION...............................................................................7
4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION................................................................................................8
5.0 CONCLUSIONS.....................................................................................................................10
6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS.........................................................................................................11
7.0 NOMENCLATURE................................................................................................................12
8.0 REFERENCES........................................................................................................................13
9.0 APPENDICES.........................................................................................................................14
9.0 APPENDICES

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3
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Sedimentation is the process whereby particles settle to the bottom of the liquid ,the process can
be used to separate suspended solid material from liquor . the process can be carried out in the
cylindrical tank known as the thickener, thickener is designed by using the principles of
sedimentation, the vessel can be used for dewatering purposes whereby suspended solids are
separated to clarified liquid and concentrated pulp , hence thickener can be used for : preparation
of feed to the mineral processing plants ,water treatment, sewage treatment and removal of
water from concentrate.

Settling of particles in a suspension depend on : particle size, viscosity of the medium, particle
size and particle shape. In order to have effective sedimentation process for a given suspension
the above parameters should be analyzed and the conclusion will be made based on the
sedimentation principles.

The aim of this experiment was to estimate the mean particle size of the quartz sand and to
design a thickener for various feed concentration. This report consists of the major four
technical parts, that is , theoretical part , experimental part, results and discussion, conclusions
and recommendations.

2.0 THEORETICAL PRINCIPLES

The settling rate of a particle in a fluid depends on the size of the particle, viscosity of the fluid
medium, shape of the particle and the particle size. The rate is governed by Newton’s and

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Stoke’s law depending on those factors. Very fine particles (100 microns) settles extremely slow
hence centrifugal sedimentation is used to separate those particles but for the particles with
particle size diameter of greater than 100 microns gravity settling can be applied.

In 1926 ROBINSON suggested a modification of Stokes’ law to find the settling velocity of
concentrated solution and used the density (ρc) and viscosity (μc) of the suspension in place of
the properties of the fluid to give:

Uc=K' d2(ρs-ρc)gμc

Steinor has expressed the velocity of the particle relative to the fluid up as follows;

Up=d2(ρs-ρc)g18μcf(e)

The velocity of the fluid upwards is given by :

Up=Uce

And f(e)=10-1.82(1-e)

Also (ρs-ρc)=e(ρs-ρ)

Some chemicals (flocculants and coagulants) can be applied in the pulp to bind the fine particles
to form relatively large lumps (flocus) that can settle more rapidly.

2.1 COAGULATION
Is the process of creating lumps by the addition of electrolyte which causes extremely fine
particles to adhere directly to each other. Coagulants are electrolyte having an opposite charge to
the particle, thus causing charge neutralization when dispersed in a system hence increase
adhesion to the particles. Example of coagulants is salts that contain highly charged cations such
as Al+++, Fe+++, and Ca++.

2.2 FLOCCULATION
Flocculation involves formation of open agglomerates by the formation of the bridge between
separate suspended particles. Flocculants are long chains organic polymers which may be
naturally (starch, glue, gelatine and guar gum) or synthetic (polyelectrolytes).

2.3 GRAVITY SEDIMENTATION

Is the dewatering method that is widely used in many mineral processing plants. The method is
usually carried out in the vessel known as the thickener. The thickener is used to increase the
concentration of the suspension by sedimentation. The mode of operation of the thickener may
be batch or continuous. Continuous thickener consists of a cylindrical tank, the pulp is fed
through the centre of the tank to avoid disturbance.

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The clarified liquid overflows through the peripheral launder while the concentrated underflow
passes throw the central outlet at the bottom. Also the thickeners have the rotating radial arm
with suspended series of blades that rakes the settled solids towards the outlet.

2.4 THICKENER DESIGN

The materials which are commonly used in the construction of thickeners are steel or concrete
depending on the size and nature of the pulp. The parameter which determines the capacity of
clarifying the pulp of a given throughput is the thickener diameter. The surface area must be
large enough so that the upward velocity of liquid is at all times lower than the settling velocity
of the slowest settling particle which is to be recovered. The solid concentration in the underflow
is controlled by the residence time of the particle and hence by the thickener depth.

The Kynch model can be used to calculate required area of the thickener for a given throughput.
The results of a batch are plotted linearly as the height of the interface between settled pulp and
clear water against time. Then the tangents are drawn at any point on the curve. Local
concentration for any selected point can be calculated from

CH=COHO

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THE NATURE OF THE GRAPH OF HEIGHT AGAINST TIME

Figure 1

The gradient of the tangents at any point is equal to the settling rate.

At any depth below the feed point, the upward liquid velocity must not exceed the

Settling velocity of the particles. (uc) Where the concentration is C, the required area is

therefore given by:

A=Q0C0[1c-1cuUc]

It is therefore necessary to calculate the maximum value of A for all the values of C

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which may be encountered.

3.0 EXPERIMENTAL PART

3.1 MATERIAL USED

• Quartz sand
• Pieces of paper
• Fecl3
• Water

3.2 EQUIPMENTS
• Weighing scale
• Measuring
• Stop clock

3.3 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES

➢ 60grams of quartz sand was measured by using a balance weigh (the sand was handled on
a piece of paper)
➢ A sample was transferred on a measuring cylinder then 25mls of Fecl3 was added
➢ The total volume was made to 1000 mls by adding water.
➢ The mixture was shake intensively then the cylinder was placed on the table .
➢ The height of the falling interface ring was recorded after each 30 second until the
interface settled down.
➢ Similar experiments were done using weights of 80,100,120 and 140 respectively.

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3.4 CALCULATIONS
DETERMINATION OF THE PARTICLE DIAMETER

Uc=K' d2(ρs-ρc)gμc

Assuming the particle is a sphere then K'=2.5

Density of suspension=mass of the solid +mass of the liquidtotal volume

=60g+977.8g1l

=1037.8g/l

Also

μc=μ(1+K'C)

But for water μ=0.001 Ns/m C=60g/l (for the first experiment)

μc=0.001(1+(2.5x60)

=0.016Ns/mm

d2=UcμcK' (ρs-ρc)g

d2=2.5×0.0162.52700-10379.8×10-3 d2 =9.818x 10-4mm2

d =0.0313mm

d=31.3μm

The average particle size is 31.3 μm

3.5 THICKENER AREA CALCULATION

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Slope of the tangent = change in average interface height/ change in time=Uc

From CH=COHO

Local concentration (C) = COHO /H

A=Q0C0[1c-1cuUc]

Volumetric feed rate of suspension(Q0) was assumed to be 1.5m3/min which is equivalent to

0.0255m3/s

Under flow concentration (cu) was assumed to be 55% solids which is equivalent to 846.15g/l

Volumetric concentration of solids in the feed (C0) was 60, 80, 100, 120, and 140 (g/l)
respectively.

4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The settling rate of particles was higher at the start and decreases with time , this is due to the
increase in hindrance that has been caused by the increase in local concentration as the height
decreases. this is shown in the figure below.

The graphs of interface heights against time for the various solid concentrations

Figure 2 60 g
120 g
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100 g
80 g 140 g
Tangents was drawn at each of the above curves the slopes of each tangent was representing the
settling rate of particles at that point, the y-intercepts (H) were also recorded. The tangents
gradients and the corresponding values of H were used in the calculations of the area of the
thickener. The data below was obtained.

THE AREA OF THE THICKENER FOR THE GIVEN INITIAL CONCENTRATION.

Mass of the sample Initial concentration (co) Design area

(g) (g/l) (m2)

60 60 9.09
80 80 12.86
100 100 14.70
120 120 39.60
140 140 19.60
Table 1

From the above table it can be seen that the design area has been increases as the initial feed
concentration increases ,this observation agrees with the theory of thickener design, that is ,for a
given throughput the clarifying capacity is determined by the diameter of the tank , the
concentrated pulp must be clarified more compared to the diluted pulp. Also from the equation of
area calculation it can be observed that area is directly proportional to the feed concentration

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5.0 CONCLUSIONS
Based on the results obtained in the experimental part the following was concluded.

• The mean particle size of the particles was 31.1 microns

• In order to obtain the 55% solid concentration of the underflow with the volumetric feed
rate of 1.5 m3/min the area of the thickener should be 9.09, 12.86, 14.70, 39.60, 19.60 m2
respectively for the feed concentration of 60,80,100,120 and 140 gram/ liter
respectively.

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6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
The areas obtain in this experiments are just estimations that can be used in the construction of
the thickener. The safety factor must be applied to the results so as to account for fluctuations in
the thickener operations; usually the safety factor of 2 is applied. Also the construction should
consider other factors apart from the design area, such factors are cost of material of construction
and economy of the process to be performed by the thickener. Hence the simulation should be
done in order to get economical area.

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7.0 NOMENCLATURE
A-(m2)

d-particle diameter (μm)

K'-particle shape constant

ρs- Density of the solid (g/l)

ρc-density of the suspension (g/l)

μc- Viscosity of suspension (Ns/m2)

1. Uc- Settling velocity of concentrated solution (mm/s)

g- Gravitational constant (m/s2)

CO-Original feed solid concentration (g/l)

HO-initial height (mm)

C-local concentration (g/l)

H-interface height corresponding to C (mm)

cu- Under flow concentration (g/l)

C0- Volumetric concentration of solids in the feed (g/l)

Q0- Volumetric feed rate of suspension (m3/minutes)

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8.0 REFERENCES
B.A Wills (1997); ‘Mineral Processing Technology’, sixth edition, Butter Worheinemann,
Canada.

Culson &Richardson (1991); ‘chemical engineering’, Volume 2, Fourth Edition, Pergamon

press, Oxford.

J.F. Richardson, et al (1998); ‘chemical engineering Particle Technology and separation

processes’ , Volume 2,Fifth edition, Butterworth, London.

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9.0 APPENDICES
The graph of average height of interface against time for 60g of the sample.

Figure 3

H Uc (m/s) C(g/l 1C-1Cu 1C-1CuUc A

(mm) x10-3 iter) (m3/kg)x10-3 (m2 )

900 2.50 66.67 13.82 5.53 8.30

800 2.25 75.00 12.15 5.40 8.10
700 2.00 85.71 10.49 5.25 7.88
600 1.58 100.00 8.82 5.58 8.37
500 1.25 120.00 7.15 5.72 8.58
400 1.00 150.00 5.48 5.48 8.22
300 0.63 200.00 3.82 6.06 9.09

Table 2

The graph of average height of interface against time for 80g of the sample.

Figure 4

H (mm) Uc (m/s) C(g/lit 1C-1Cu 1C-1CuUc A

x10-3 er) (m3/kg)x10-3
(m2 )
900 1.80 88.89 10.07 5.60 11.2
800 2.00 100.00 8.82 4.41 8.82
700 1.80 114.29 7.57 4.21 8.42
600 1.60 133.33 6.32 3.95 7.9
500 1.20 160.00 5.07 4.23 8.46

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400 0.80 200.00 3.82 4.76 9.52
300 0.40 266.67 2.57 6.43 12.86

Table 3

The graph of average height of interface against time for 100g of the sample.

Figure 5

H (mm) Uc (m/s) C(g/lit 1C-1Cu 1C-1CuUc A

x10-3 er) (m3/kg)x10-3
(m2 )
900 2.00 111.11 7.82 3.91 9.78
800 1.80 125.00 6.82 3.79 9.48
700 1.40 142.86 5.82 4.16 10.40
600 1.20 166.67 4.82 4.02 10.05
500 0.90 200.00 3.82 4.24 10.6
400 0.48 250.00 2.82 5.88 14.70
300 0.40 333.33 1.82 4.55 11.38

Table 4

The graph of average height of interface against time for 120g of the sample.

Figure 6

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H (mm) Uc (m/s) C(g/lit 1C-1Cu 1C-1CuUc A
x10-3 er) (m3/kg)x10-3
(m2 )
900 1.87 133.33 6.32 3.38 10.14
800 1.60 150.00 5.48 3.43 10.29
700 1.20 171.43 4.65 3.88 11.64
600 1.00 200.00 3.82 3.82 11.46
500 0.67 240.00 2.98 4.45 13.35
400 0.30 300.00 2.15 7.17 21.51
300 0.10 400.00 1.32 13.20 39.60

Table 5

The graph of average height of interface against time for 140g of the sample.

Figure 7

H (mm) Uc (m/s) C(g/lit 1C-1Cu 1C-1CuUc A

x10-3 er) (m3/kg)x10-3
(m2 )
900 2.00 155.56 5.25 2.63 9.21
800 1.60 175.00 4.53 2.83 9.91
700 1.20 200.00 3.82 3.18 11.13
600 0.80 233.33 3.10 3.88 13.58
500 0.53 280.00 2.39 4.51 15.79
400 0.30 350.00 1.68 5.6 19.60
300 0.00 466.67 0.96

Table 6