SEDIMENTATION

Evelyn R. Laurito

Batch Settling
Batch settling is characterized by the formation of different zones. A
zone of essentially clarified liquid
(A) forms immediately below the surface of the liquid mass. Below this
zone is a suspension zone
(B) where essentially free settling occurs. The interface between zones A
and B progresses downward at a speed equivalent to the free settling
velocity of the particles. At the bottom of the mass, a solid-rich zone
(C) also forms. Eventually the AB and BC interfaces meet so that there
are only two zones; this is the critical point. The compression zone
(D) contains all the settleable particles. The height of the compression
zone decreases to an asymptotic value as time approaches infinity.

A
A = clear zone
B = suspension zone (uniform
conc.) A A A
ZO B B
C = transition zone
D = thickened zone or
Z
compression zone (impeded C D ZC D
settling)

Free and Hindered Settling

Free Settling: ut is constant

ut
Z0 ZC
Z0 C
ut
Hindered Settling
Z
K Z Z
dz
Zc
d
Z Integration of the above
tc
yields an exponential decay
equation.
time
Z Z K
ln C
ZC Z

1
 Example
In a laboratory test, the following data were
obtained:
Initial Height = 30 cm
Critical height = 16 cm
Height = 10 cm after 145 min
Height at infinite time is 4 cm
velocity of settling =0.2 cm/min

For a batch cylindrical tank with a volume of 1

m3, of height equal to twice the diameter, find
the settling time for the particles to settle to a
height which is 20% of the original.

Dorr Thickener
F, CF
Overflow

Clear Zone

Free Settling Zone

L, CL Hindered Settling Zone

U, CU

Thickener/Clarifier

2
 Continuous Settling
Settling Area of a Dorr Thickener
F = feed rate, m3/hr
L = rate entering any level in the free settling zone, m3/hr
U = underflow rate, m3/hr
V = overflow rate, m3/hr
C = concentration of slurry,
r = density of slurry,
F V
cF

L
c

U, cu

Continuous Settling
LC
Solid Balance: FCF = LC= UCU U
CU
Liquid Balance: L rL C U rU CU V rV
F = feed rate, m3/hr LC
L = rate entering any L rL C rU CU V rV
level in the free settling CU
zone, m3/hr C
U = underflow rate, L rL rU V rV
m3/hr
V = overflow rate, m3/hr CU
C = concentration of r r
slurry, kg solids/m3 V rV LC L U
r = density of slurry
C CU
dividing by A(area of thickener)
V LCL 1 1 r

A A C CU rV

Thickener Area
V
Here, is considered as superficial linear
A
velocity of liquid being displaced by
settling particles. For separation to occur,
c=CL or the concentration of the rate
limiting layer of velocity, v
V LCL 1 1 r
v A r
1.0
A v CL CU rV rV

To determine Ut vs. CL, use KYNCH METHOD

3
 Kynch Method
Rate Limiting Layer
Principle: solids settle by layer at different velocities
and displaces an equal volume of fluid

Overflow

Underflow

Kynch Method
Rate Limiting Layer
Principle: solids settle by layer at different velocities
and displaces an equal volume of fluid

WATER
Displaced

Kynch Method
Rate Limiting Layer
Principle: solids settle by layer at different velocities
and displaces an equal volume of fluid

Flux = Solids mass rate/Area

WATER
Displaced

WATER
Displaced
+ Solids

4
 Rate Limiting Layer
Principle: solids settle by layer at different velocities
and displaces an equal volume of fluid
There is a limiting layer of concentration CL
that will allow all solids to pass through it
WATER
Displaced

WATER
Displaced

Rate Limiting Layer

Rate Limiting Layer is that layer with the largest Area

Velocity of Limiting Layer

z0
zi z L
vL
L
zi
Solids concentration at any layer is
assumed constant

z0c0 zi cL
zL

5
 Flux of Layer
Flux
= velocity of layer x concentration of solids
= vc

Thickener Area
Total Flux = Flux of Particles settling + Flux of the underflow
= F B + FU
FT = cv + cvu

Where: FT
F= flux or mass rate/area
c=layer composition
FL
v= layer velocity
Lu= underflow volumetric rate
A= Area normal to flux c
Total Flux is plotted against composition to find the minimum Flux (FL)
which will correspond to the maximum area
L0c0
Lo=F A
FL

Problem
A single batch settling test was made on a limestone
slurry. The test was made on 236 g limestone per L
slurry. Find the area for a feed rate of 3.785M liters/day.
Sludge concn is 700 g/L. Underflow velocity is 500
cm/day.
Time ,hr height,cm
0 36
0.25 32.4
0.5 28.6
1 21
1.75 14.7
3 12.3
4.75 11.55
12 9.8
20 8.8

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 zi zL z0 c0 zi c
v
40
36 236
35 L c
30
zi
25 FB= cv/1000
Fu=c*vu=c[500(1/24)/1000]
20
F=FB+Fu
15
Smallest F=FL= 8.652x10-4
10
LoCo 3.785 106 (1 / 24) * 236
5 A
FL 8.652 10 4
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
430.18m 2

zL zi L v c=CoZo/Zi FB, 104 Fu=CVu F, 104

19 36 1 17 236 4.012 4.9088 8.9208
17 31 1.3 10.76923 274.064516 2.95146402 5.700542 8.652006
16 26.5 1.5 7 320.603774 2.24422642 6.668558 8.912785
14 24 1.9 5.263158 354 1.86315789 7.3632 9.226358
3.6 19 1.8 3 447.157895 1.34147368 9.300884 10.64236
12.7 17 2.2 1.954545 499.764706 0.97681283 10.39511 11.37192
11.8 16.5 2.5 1.88 514.909091 0.96802909 10.71011 11.67814
12.5 16 2.6 1.346154 531 0.71480769 11.0448 11.75961
12 14.5 3.3 0.757576 585.931034 0.44388715 12.18737 12.63125

Talmadge and Fitch Method

z0 c0
z0 zu
cu
L0U
A
z0
z
Angle bisector

zU
U Tangent line (perpendicular)

Problem 2
A biological sludge from a secondary waste
treatment facility is to be concentrated from 2500
mg/L to 10900 mg/L in a continuous thickener.
Flow to the unit is 4.5 x 106 L/day. Determine the
area required from the batch test data.

,min 0 1 2 3 5 8 12 16 20 25
Z, cm 51 43.5 37 30.6 23 17.9 14.3 12.2 11.2 10.7

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 Solution
60
z0c0 (51)(2500)
zu 11.7
50 cu 10900
40
1
4.5 106 (12.2)(1000)
height

30 A
L0u
1440
z0 51
20 6.92x 105 cm2 6920m2
zu
10

0
=12.2
0 5 10U 15 20 25 30
time