SEDIMENTATION

Sedimentation is the operation of the unit consisting of separating, by gravity, a

finely divided solid from a liquid in which it is suspended, obtaining a clarified
liquid and a more or less thick sludge with a high percentage of solids. It
should be remembered that split-form solids are usually found in solution
forming flocs. This operation can be carried out continuously or intermittently.
Industrial settlers normally operate continuously.

Discontinuous sedimentation. Qualitative analysis.

Phases of a discontinuous experiment

To explain how this operation takes place, take a glass cylinder and it
will be used in order to be able to see through the walls of the vessel,
the changes takes place inside the suspension.

After a certain time some changes in the bottom of the specimen can be
observed forming a concentrated sludge (zone D), with solids in continuous
contact.
On this zone a layer of variable size and concentration can appear, where
the solids settle without continuous contact and another, where the solids
concentration is approximately equal to the initial one of the suspension.
Finally, in the upper part there is a clear liquid zone (A), free of solids.
The spacing between the zones A and B is usually quite sharp if the size
of the particles forming the suspension is sufficiently uniform. The
separation between zones C and D is less defined and in some cases
difficult or impossible to appreciate, as well as separation B and C, whose
separation is always negligible.
As time continues to elapse, the thickness of the layers varies. Finally
there comes a time when zone B disappears. From
At that instant, the thickness of zone C decreases to a limit value.
In non-flocculent suspensions, layer D does not decrease in thickness,
once the layer C has disappeared, and the concentration corresponds to
a fixed bed of
Particles. In flocculent suspensions, layer D is still
Descending, by the compression of the sediment when leaving the liquid
that formed the previous floccules.

Diagram height-time for a discontinuous sedimentation experiment

The point at which the two interfaces are confused is called the critical
point. As can be seen in the above figure, from the critical point, the
operation is reduced to a slow "compression" of zone D.

Discontinuous sedimentation.Kynch-Fitch’s theory

Application of the discontinuous sedimentation experiment for the design

Of continuous thickener type Dorr-Oliver

In a Dorr-Oliver continuous thickener, the suspension is fed to the

intermediate part of the thickener, the clarified liquid exiting the upper
part and the sludge is drawn by a rake to the bottom. The following figure
shows this type of settler.

Other types of settlers: rectangular, lamellar and Flocculation.

When starting from very dilute concentrations, sedimentation can be

performed in rectangular channels or tanks, where the suspension
progresses longitudinally, allowing the sedimentation of the flocs in the
bottom. These channels can have accelerator modules, where the suspension
is forced to circulate upwards through the inclined parallel planes or
tubes, favoring the sedimentation when entering the flocs in the zone of
low speeds of ascent in the proximity of the walls, denominating itself
Sedimentador lamellar. Other times, the flocculation process is carried
out in the same tank as the sedimentation, favoring the flocculation
process when the raw water enters with previously formed floccules.
Other Rectangular sedimentation tanks.

Sheet settler