Sedimentation

A Research Study Presented to the

Faculty of the Department of Chemical Engineering
School of Engineering and Architecture
Saint Louis University

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

By
Liis, Nemuel Cyzar F.
Sario, Glen G.
Alindayo, Aimee C.
Felipe, Leica Jane G.
Juganas, Jasmin – Clary C.
Ramos, Kathrynne L.

September 2019

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Filtration...............................................................................................................................i

TABLE OF CONTENTS....................................................................................................ii

LIST OF TABLES.............................................................................................................iii

LIST OF FIGURES............................................................................................................iv

ABSTRACT........................................................................................................................v

Chapter 1: Introduction........................................................................................................1

Chapter 2: Design and Methodology...................................................................................3

Chapter 3: Results and Discussion......................................................................................5

Chapter 4: Conclusion and Recommendation...................................................................11

REFERENCES..................................................................................................................13

APPENDICES...................................................................................................................15

APPENDIX A: List and Uses of Apparatus..................................................................15

APPENDIX B: Definition of Terms..............................................................................16

APPENDIX C: Computations........................................................................................17

APPENDIX D: Documentation.....................................................................................21

APPENDIX E: Answer to Questions.............................................................................25

APPENDIX F: Graphs...................................................................................................29

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 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Data for Filtration..................................................................................................5

Table 2. Data for Filter Cake...............................................................................................9

Table 3. Characteristic of the Filter Cake and Medium.....................................................10

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 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Cake Filter, (b) Clarifying Filter, (c) Crossflow Filter (Adapted from “Fiigure

30.4” McCabe, W. L., Smith, J. C., & Harriott, P. (1993). Unit Operations of Chemical

Engineering, 5th Edition, p. 1003.)......................................................................................2

Figure 2. Schematic Diagram of filtration...........................................................................3

Figure 3. Filter Press............................................................................................................4

Figure 4. Volume of Filtrate Collected against Time..........................................................7

Figure 5. Rate of Filtration against Time of Filtration........................................................8

Figure 6. Time of Filtration per Filter Volume against Filtrate Volume Collected............9

Figure 7. The Researchers prepared the plate and Frame Set-Up by covering the plates

with filter sheet and arranging them in the Filter Press.....................................................21

Figure 8. The Researchers weighed the filter plates with the corresponding filter sheets21

Figure 9. The Researchers inserted the filter plates in such a way that their eyelets

alternately from the inlet and outlet channels....................................................................22

Figure 10. The Researchers connect the agitation tank to the filter press.........................22

Figure 11. After the filtration, the Researchers removed and examined the filter sheets

and plates...........................................................................................................................23

Figure 12. The Researchers weighed them again and recorded the weights.....................23

Figure 13. The Researchers washed the filter sheets and plates using running water.......24

Figure 14. The Filter Sheets...............................................................................................24

iv
 ABSTRACT

THIS EXPERIMENTAL STUDY IS ALL ABOUT SEDIMENTATION.

THE SUBSTANCE USED IN THIS EXPERIMENT IS A PULVERIZED CHALK
AND DISTILLED WATER. THIS EXPERIMENTAL STUDY AIMS TO
MEASURE THE SETTLING RATE AS A FUNCTION OF CONCENTRATION
AND VOLUME IN A STATIC WATER SYSTEM, TO CONSTRUCT BATCH
SETTLING CURVES FROM THE EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS AND BE ABLE
TO DESIGN INDUSTRIAL SETTLING TANKS AND THICKENERS USING
THE CURVES AND TO UNDERSTAND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF
LABORATORY BATCH SEDIMENTATION. THE APPARATUS USED IS THE
SEDIMENTATION STUDY APPARATUS.
THE EXPERIMENTAL DATA OBTAINED VARYING THICKENING
AND CLARIFICATION AREAS DESPITE USING A CONSTANT VOLUME OF
WATER AND SLURRY. THE FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE
SEDIMENTATION PROCESS ARE THE PARTICLE DIAMETER AND ITS
POROSITY. THE INCREASE IN PARTICLE SIZE DUE TO FLOCCULATION,
CAUSE AN INCREASE IN SEDIMENTATION RATE. IT MEANS IT SETTLES
FASTER. ALSO, CONCENTRATION OF PARTICLE AFFECTS THE
SEDIMENTATION PROCESS WHERE IT HAS AN INVERSELY
PROPORTIONAL TO THE RATE OF SEDIMENTATION SUCH THAT THE
LOWER CONCENTRATION OF SOLIDS LEADS TO UNIFORM SETTLING
AND THE PARTICLES MOVE AT A CONSTANT RATE.

KEYWORDS: Sedimentation, Settling Rate, Static Water System, Thickening,

Clarification

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vi
 Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

Sedimentation is a method that is commonly used in water and wastewater

clarification. Particles settle in distinct ways from suspension, based on the suspension

concentration and particle features. Settling a diluted suspension of particles that have

little or no ability to flocculate is the easiest form of sedimentation (Galaez, 2017) In

these conditions, it is straightforward to predict clarification rates and their scale-up to

plant design. For higher concentrations where inter-particle effects become significant

and where agglomeration may take place, different regimes of settling rate occur, known

as ‘zone’ settling (Fig 1). Information from batch tests for such systems forms a vital part

of the search for the optimum design and operation of industrial sedimentation tanks.

Suspensions containing different concentration of sediments are being studied and the

differences in sedimentation rate observed by measuring the changes in height of the

various solid/liquid interfaces with respect to time are plotted in Figure 2.

Figure 1 Settling regimes (Adapted from Sedimentation Studies Apparatus. (n.d.).

Retrieved September 24, 2019:
http://discoverarmfield.com/media/transfer/doc/w2mkii_web.pdf

1
Figure 2 Typical Sedimentation Curves (Adapted from Sedimentation Studies Apparatus.
(n.d.). Retrieved September 24, 2019:
http://discoverarmfield.com/media/transfer/doc/w2mkii_web.pdf

There are two basic types of settling that takes place, hindered settling and free

settling. Hindered settling occurs when the concentration of the solution is high enough

for there to be significant interaction between the particles. The frictional force exerted at

a given velocity of the particles relative to the fluid may be greatly increased as a result

of modifications to the flow pattern. Free or particulate settling occurs when the

concentration of the solution is low and the particles are sufficiently far apart to freely

settle regardless of their nature (Richardson and Coulson, 1955). Faster settling particles

can collide with slower moving particles where they can coincide or proceed down at

their own settling speed (Richardson and Coulson, 1955). The cohesive particles settle at

a rate higher than the individual particles and there is a gradual transition from particle

settling to zone settling regime where the particles are forced to settle as a mass. The

2
settling rate of the mass is a function of the solids concentration. The sedimentation

velocities of the particles tend to decrease steadily as the concentration of the suspension

is increased (Galaez, 2017)

For concentrated suspensions there are two main types of settling Type 1 and

Type 2 (Fig 3). In Type 1 settling, the suspension settles into four zones, a clear liquid

zone, a constant composition zone, a variable composition zone and sediment. In Type 2

settling, there are only three zones with the constant composition zone absent.

Figure 3 Sedimentation of concentrated suspensions (a) Type 1 settling (b) Type 2

settling (Adapted from “Figure 5.1” Backhurst, J., Harker, J., & Richardson. Coulson
and Richardson’s Chemical Engineering: Particle Technology and separation Processes
(5th ed)

3
 Chapter 2

Design and Methodology

This experiment aims to measure the settling rate as a function of concentration

and volume, to construct a batch settling curve, and to understand the importance of

laboratory sedimentation.  The approach applied in this experiment was an

experimental and qualitative design. To be able to conduct the experiment it is aided

with a Sedimentation study apparatus, digital balance, mortar and pestle, beaker, water

and chalk

For the procedure of this experiment, a schematic diagram is shown below:

4
   

5
Figure 4 Schematic Diagram for Sedimentation

Figure 5. Filter Press

 Chapter 3

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

7
 Chapter 4

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the data presented, the height of the slurry to water interface with

respect to time was plotted, there is no linear relationship. This implies that this variable

is not directly proportional to each other because linear relationship is not evident

between them but shows that when the height of solid/liquid interface decreases the time

increases.

The experiment shows that the rate of sedimentation or settling is greatly affected

by the concentration of the solids and size of the settling particles. The higher the

concentration of the solids in the suspension, the lower will be the rate of sedimentation,

and vice versa; accuracy may not be sure to be achieved. The inaccuracy may be due to

the insufficient cleanliness of the sieve.

In this experiment, several precautions must be taken into consideration in order

to avoid and prevent errors to occur. The screen on the sieves should be carefully cleaned

in order to remove all chalk dust. Ensure that all the leftover chalk in the sieve is

transferred to the container use in weighing process. The area around digital scale balance

must be cleaned first to get accurate readings and avoid the environmental effects.

Student also can use a soft bristle brush to gently wipe the screen.

It is also recommended that flocculants and coagulants may also be added in order

to determine the effect of these chemicals to the rate of sedimentation of solids. Since the

flocculants and coagulants make the solids stick together thus forming larger particles,

one can investigate if using those chemicals are effective.

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 REFERENCES

Galaez, D. M. R. (2017). Chemical Engineering Laboratory 1. Sedimentation. Retrieved

from https://www.scribd.com/document/343755476/Exp-4-Sedimentation

Backhurst, J., Harker, J., & Richarson, J. (2002). Coulson and Richardson's Chemical

Engineering: Particle Technology and Separation Processes (5th ed., Vol. II).

Great Britain: Bath Press.

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 APPENDICES

APPENDIX A

List and Uses of Apparatus

A. Sedimentation Study Apparatus- It was used to study the sedimentation

process. It is where the experiment was conducted.

B. Stirring Rod- It was used in stirring the slurry to have a uniform distribution.

C. 1000 mL Beakers- It is generally a cylindrical container with a flat bottom and

was used to contain the slurry.

D. Digital balance- This was used in weighing the pulverized chalk and distilled

water to get the density of the slurry.

E. Mortar and pestle- It was used to pulverized the chalk.

F. Chalk- This was the substance that was pulverized and used to make a slurry.

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 APPENDIX B

Definition of Terms

A. Sedimentation- It is the process of settling or being deposited as a sediment. It is

the tendency of the particles in suspension to settle out of the fluid in which they

are entrained and come to rest.

B. Settling Rate- It is the residence time taken for the particles to settle in the tank.

C. Static Water System- It refers to the level of water in a well under normal,

undistributed, no-pumping conditions.

D. Thickening- It is to make a substance become thick or to make or grow more

intense, profound, intricate, or complex.

E. Clarification- It is the action of making clear or transparent by freeing visible

impurities; particularly, the clearing or fining of liquid substances from feculent

matter by the separation of the insoluble particles which prevent the liquid from

being transparent.

F.

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 APPENDIX C

Computations

ρ water = 1 g/mL Dpi = 0.0505 m

ρ chalk = 1.9477 g/mL
Sedimentation A (Constant Volume of Sedimentation B (Constant Volume of
Water): Slurry):
V = 1600 mL V = 1650 mL
Q = 1600 mL/s Q = 1650 mL/s
Ho = 772 mm Ho = 810 mm
XA = 1.5% XA = 3.5%
tu @ Hu = 20 mm = 17.5 min tu @ Hu = 130 mm = 20.7 min

MASS OF CHALK IN SLURRY, m c

Sedimentation A:
mc
X A=
mc + mH 2
O

mc
0.015=
g
mc +1600 mL(1 )
mL
mc =24.3655 g

Sedimentation B:
mc =X A mslurry

V slurry
mslurry =
XA XH O 2
+
ρ chalk ρH O 2

1L 1m3
1650 mL( )( )
1000 mL 1000 L
mslurry = =1.6786 kg
0.035 0.965
+
kg kg
1947.7 3 1000 3
m m
12
m c =( 0.035 ) ( 1.6786 kg )=0.0588 kg

INITIAL CONCENTRATION, C O
mc
C O=
π
Dpi 2 L
4

Sedimentation A:
1 kg
24.3655 g( )
1000 g kg
C O= =15.7574 3
π 2 2 772 m
4
(0.0505) m (
1000 )m

Sedimentation B:
0.0588 kg kg
C O= =36.2426 3
π 810 m
4
(0.0505)2 m2 (
1000
m )
CONCENTRATION AT SPECIFIED HEIGHT, C L
Co H o
C L=
HL

Sedimentation A:
@ t = 1 min:
kg
15.7574 (772mm)
m3 kg
C L= =17.1334 3
710 mm m
@ t = 2 min:
kg
15.7574 (772mm)
m3 kg
C L= =19.6205 3
620 mm m
@ t = 20 min:

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 kg
15.7574 (772mm)
m3 kg
C L= =640.2480 3
19 mm m

Sedimentation B:
@ t = 1 min:
kg
36.2426 (810 mm)
m3 kg
C L= =36.2426 3
810 mm m
@ t = 2 min:
kg
36.2426 (810 mm)
m3 kg
C L= =37.8794 3
775 mm m
@ t = 20 min:
kg
36.2426 ( 810 mm)
m3 kg
C L= =202.4587 3
145 mm m

DENSITY OF SLURRY, ρ
Sedimentation A:
1
ρ=
XA XH O 2
+
ρchalk ρ H O
2

1 g
ρ= =1.0074 ×10−3
0.015 0.985 mm3
+
1.9477 1
Sedimentation B:
mslurry
ρ=
V slurry

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 3
1.6786 kg 1000 g 1m −3 g
ρ= −3 3
1.65 ×10 m 1 kg( )( 1000 mm )
=1.0173× 10
mm3

AREA OF THICKENING, ATH

Q tu
ATH =
Ho

Sedimentation A:

mL 1L 1000 m 3 1000 mm 3 ( 60 s
ATH =
1600 (
s 1000 mL )(
1L )(
1m )
17.5 mins ) (
1min )
772 mm

ATH =2176165.803 mm2

Sedimentation B:

mL 1L 1000 m 3 1000 mm 3 ( 60 s
ATH =
1650 (
s 1000 mL )(
1L )(
1m )
20.7 mins ) (
1 min )
810 mm

ATH =2530000 mm2

AREA OF CLARIFICATION, ACL

Qc
ACL=
v
Q( H o−H u)
Qc =
Ho

y 2− y 1
v=| |x 2−x 1

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Sedimentation A:

mm 3
1600 ×103 (772−20) m
s mm3
Qc = =1558549.223
772 m s

v= |710−772
1−0 |=1.0333
mm
s

mm 3
1558549.223
s c
ACL= =1508322.097 mm2
mm
1.0333
s

Sedimentation B:

mm 3
1650 ×103 (810−103)m
s mm 3
Qc = =1440185.185
810 m s

v= |775−810
1−0 |=0.5833
mm
s

mm 3
1440185.185
s c
ACL= =2469029.976 mm2
mm
0.5833
s

CONTROLLING AREA, ACO

Sedimentation A:
since: A TH > ACL

∴ A co =A TH

Sedimentation B:
since: A TH > ACL

∴ A co =A TH

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SOLIDS LOADING, SL
Q ρ slurry
SL=
ACO

Sedimentation A:

mm 3 g
1.6× 106 (1.0074 × 10−3 )
s mm3 g
SL= 2
=7.4068 × 10−3
2176165.803 mm mm2 ∙ s
Sedimentation B:

mm3 g
1.65× 106 (1.0173 ×10−3 )
s mm3 g
SL= 2
=6.6346 ×10−4
2530000 mm mm 2 ∙ s

HYDRAULIC LOADING RATE, QH

Q
QH =
A CO

Sedimentation A:

mm3 3
1m
6
1.6 ×10 ( )
s 1000 mm mm
QH = 2
=0.7352
1m s
2176165.803mm 2( )
1000 mm
Sedimentation B:

mm 3 3
6 1m
1.6× 10 ( )
s 1000 mm mm
QH = 2
=0.6522
1m s
2530000 mm2 ( )
1000 mm

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 APPENDIX D

Documentation

Figure 6: The researchers weighed the empty beaker for the computation of the density
of slurry.

Figure 7: The researchers weighed the beaker with one liter of water.

18
Figure 8: The Researchers made a slurry of chalk and water.

Figure 9: Final Reading

19
Figure 10: The Researchers read the final reading of the sedimentation tube.

Figure 11: The Sedimentation tubes

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 APPENDIX E

Answer to Questions

1. Why are sedimentation tanks and thickeners commonly employed in removing

solids in water?

Sedimentation tanks and thickeners are commonly employed in removing

suspended solids in water because it is simple, efficient and requires low cost to

operate. Sedimentation tank is used for removing by settling a dispersed liquid phase

from another phase while thickeners are carried out continuously.

2. Name chemical industries (at least 5) that employ sedimentation in treating

water.

Some industries that use sedimentation are:

 Food industry

 Pharmaceutical industry

 Polymer industry

  Water and industrial wastewater treatment

 Mining industry

3. When is the critical point of sedimentation said to be reached?

Critical point of sedimentation is said to be reached when the height at which free

settling stops and hindered settling begins.

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4. Describe the effect of each of the following factors upon sedimentation rate:

a. Concentration of slurry - rate of sedimentation has an inverse relation with the

concentration of particles. Greater the concentration, smaller would be the rate

and vice versa.

b. Height of slurry - In general the height of the initial suspension does not affect

the rate of sedimentation. However, in case of larger height, greater amount of

sediment has to build up before the critical point.

c. Wall of Sedimentation Tube - Provided the particle size to the tube diameter is

not greater than 1:100, no wall effect should be apparent.

5. What data are needed to design the area of sedimentation tanks or thickeners for

a certain purpose?

The data needed to design the area of sedimentation tanks or thickeners are tank

type. If it is rectangular; depth, length, width, and flight travel speed must consider. If

it is circular; depth, diameter, bottom slope and flight travel speed must consider.

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 APPENDIX F

Graphs

Sedimentation A: Constant Volume of Water (1.5%)

12

10

8
Height (mm)

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Time (min.)

Figure 12 Height as a function of Time

Sedimentation B: Constant Volume of Slurry (3.5%)

900
800
700
600
Height (mm)

500
400
300
200
100
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Time (min.)

Figure 13 Height as a Function of Time

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 900

800

700

600
1.50%
Height (mm)

500 2.00%
2.50%
400
3%
300 3.50%
4%
200
4.50%
100

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85

Time (min.)

Figure 14 Effect of Concentration on Sedimentation Characteristics (Collated Data)

900

800

700

600

500 3.50%
3%
400
2%

300

200

100

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85

Figure 15 Effect of Initial Height on Sedimentation Characteristics (Collated Data)

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