ChE 408

Introduction to Particle Technology

Jan. 04, 2016

Lecture Topic #07

Multiple Particle Systems

Reference : Introduction to Particle Technology,

M. Rhodes
HINDERED SYSTEM
Reference: Fundamentals of Particle Technology,
R. Holdich
 Rhodes Introduction to Particle Technology
SETTLING OF A SUSPENSION OF PARTICLES
The motion of each particle in multiple particles
flow in a fluid in close proximity to each is
influenced by the presence of the others.
A single particle analysis is no longer valid but
can be adapted to model the multiple particle
system.
For a suspension of particles in a fluid, Stokes
law is assumed to apply but an effective
suspension viscosity and effective average
suspension density are used:
eff. viscosity; e = /f() (3:1)
ave. suspension density; ave = f + (1 - )p (3:2)
where: = void or volume fraction of the fluid
 Vol. fraction occupied by liquid +
vol. fraction occupied by solid
particles = 1.0
= the voidage or volume
fraction occupied by the fluid.
(1 ) = vol. fraction occupied by
solid particles
Substituting the eff. viscosity and ave. density for
the suspension to the Stokes law:

where: Urel = the relative

velocity of
the particle in the
fluid
ave = ave.
suspension density
x = the particle
Particle terminal velocity falling under gravity in a
suspension, the force balance is :
drag force = weight - upthrust

this can still be written simply as:

UrelT is known as the particle settling velocity in the
presence of other particles or the hindered settling
velocity.
It is assumed that the fluid and the particles are
incompressible and that the volume flowrates, Qf
and Qp, of the fluid and the
particles are constant. Defining Ufs and Ups as the
superficial velocities of the fluid and particles,
respectively:
And continuity gives:

hence the actual velocities of the fluid and the

particles, Uf and Up are given by:
Batch Settling
Batch flux as a function of suspension
concentration
When a batch of solids in suspension are allowed to
settle, say in a measuring cylinder in the
laboratory, there is no net flow through the vessel
so:

In hindered settling under gravity the relative

velocity between the particles and the fluid (Up Uf)
is UrelT . Thus using the expression for UrelT found in
Equation (3.7):
Combining Equation (3.19) with Equation (3.18)
gives the following expression for Up, the hindered
settling velocity of particles in batch settling
(relative to the vessel wall):

For uniform spheres forming a suspension of solid

volume fraction less than 0.1[(1- ) <=0.1] , the
effective viscosity function, f(), was shown
theoretically to be:

Richardson and Zaki (1954) showed by experiment

that for
Rep < 0.3 (under Stokes law conditions where drag
is independent of fluid density),
And for Rep > 500 (under Newtons law conditions
where drag is independent of fluid viscosity):

In general, the Richardson and Zaki relationship is

given as:

Khan and Richardson (1989) recommend the use of

the following correlation for the value of exponent n
over the entire range of Reynolds numbers:

where Ar is the Archimedes number, x3(p-f)fg/2

and x is the particle diameter & D is the vessel
diameter. The most appropriate particle diameter to
use here is the xs/v.
Expressed as a volumetric solids settling flux, Ups,
Equation (3.24) becomes:

or, dimensionless particle settling flux,

 ChE 408
Introduction to Particle Technology
Jan. 06, 2016

Lecture Topic #03

Hindered Systems

Reference : Fundamentals of Particle Technology,

M. Rhodes, R. Holdich

(A continuation of lecture on Multiple Particle

System)
Hindered Settling
The presence of many particles in a fluid in
close proximity to each other has influence on
their settling velocities.
Their velocities are "hindered (slowed down).
In general, hindered settling is appropriate for
solids concentration in suspension is greater
than about 1% by mass.
= void fraction, i.e. the volume fraction
occupied by the liquid
C = (1 - ) = solids concentration, i.e. the
volume fraction occupied by the solid
particles
C < 1 % = "free settling", particles settle
independently, settling velocity = terminal
velocity UT
 C > 1% = "hindered settling"
In hindered settling, the settling velocity
is strongly related to the solids
concentration C.
Empirical relation between the terminal
velocity and the settling velocity Uo
(Richardson & Zaki, 1954):
Uo = UT(1 C) n
= UT n
n = variable
Particle Re exponent that depends
n for small on
n for large
tubes tubes
Reynolds number (as tabulated below):
< 0.2 4.65 + 19.5 x/D 4.65
0.2 < Re < 1.0 (4.35 + 17.5 )Re (4.35)Re -0.03

-0.03

1 < Re < 200 (4.45 + 18 )Re -0.1

(4.45)Re -0.1

200 < Re < 500 (4.45)Re -0.1

(4.45)Re -0.1

Source: Fundamentals of Particle Technology,

Re > 500
Holdich
2.39 2.39
Note:
Using Rhodes, n = can also be evaluated using
the correlation with Archimedes number
(recommended by Khan & Richardson, 1989)
which applies to all range of Reynolds number):

which can be simplified as (for x <<< D):

n = (4.8 + 0.1032Ar0.57)/
(1+0.043Ar0.57)
Source:
3

ArIntroduction
= x ( p to
- Particle
) g /( 2 )
Technology, Rhodes
Example: Calculate the settling velocity of a 60 wt
% glass spheres slurry in a fluid with density = 1000
kg/m3 & viscosity = 0.001 Pa.s. The glass spheres
have diameter = 75 m & density = 2450 kg/m3.
Solution (using Rhodes):
The slurry concentration of 60% is >>> 1 wt%,
hence this is a hindered settling.
The slurry is 60 wt% solid & 40 wt% fluid, hence:
The void fraction (or porosity), = [40 kg/1000
kg/m3]/[60 kg/2450 kg/m3 + 40 kg/1000 kg/m3] =
0.620253
Settling velocity (if free settling) = terminal
velocity, UT
Assume laminar (Rep < 0.3):
UT = (75/10^6)2(2450-1000)9.81/[(18)(0.001)] =
hindered settling velocity, Uo = Ut n
Evaluating the exponent n using the correlation with
Archimedes number:
Ar = x3 (p - )g /( 2) = (75/10^6)^3(2450-
1000)9.81/(0.001^2)
=6
n = (4.8 + 0.1032Ar0.57)/(1+0.043Ar0.57)
= (4.8 + 0.1043(6^0.57)/[1+0.043(6^0.57) =
4.544
U0 = 0.004445(0.62^4.544) = 0.0005074 m/s

Check on Rep = (75/10^6)(0.0005074)(1000)/0.001

= 0.038 < 0.3 (in fact checking the
Rep is not
necessary because n using the Ar-
Solution (using Holdich):
The slurry concentration of 60% is >>> 1 wt%,
hence this is a hindered settling.
The slurry is 60 wt% solid & 40 wt% fluid, hence:
The void fraction (or porosity), = [40 kg/1000
kg/m3]/[60 kg/2450 kg/m3 + 40 kg/1000 kg/m3] =
0.620253
Settling velocity (if free settling) = terminal
velocity, UT
Assume laminar (Rep > 0.3):
UT = (75/10^6)(2450-1000)9.81/[(18)(0.001)] =
0.004445 m/s
Rep (based on UT) = (75/10^6)(0.004445)
(1000)/0.001
= 0.33338672
-0.03
U o = UT n
= 0.004445(0.62^4.4957) = 0.0005192 m/s

Check on: Rep (now based on Uo)

= (75/10^6)
(0.0005192)(1000)/0.001
= 0.03893975 <
0.3 ok

Rhodes : Up = 0.0005074, Rep = 0.0381 < 0.3

Holdich : Uo = 0.0005019, Rep = 0.0389 < 0.3

Solve the same problem using Geankoplis

approach: refer to the example on page 820,
Transport Process & Unit Operations, 3rd
edition.
 When settling particles actually start from zero
velocity, then accelerate due to gravity until it
attains terminal velocity.
Since this is only a simple force balance for
small particles, enertial forces and the time to
reach terminal velocity are very small and are
neglected.
Time to attain terminal velocity (or at least
99.9% of it) is:

Estimate the time (in seconds) for a 40m

spherical particle with density of 2500 kg/m3,
to reach 99.9% of its terminal velocity.
 Ho

H1
H
e H3 H4
i
g
h
t

to t1 t2 t3

Time

Solids mass balance: CfHfAs = C1H1As = C2H2A

s= . . CnHnAs
Since A and s are constant: CfHf = C1H1 = C2H2 = .
Batch settling flux
Design information is concerned with the
ability to pass a required mass of solids per
unit area per unit time. i.e. kg/m2-s, or mass of
solids per unit time, kg/s. This is the solids flux
Mathematically, the solids flux due to settling
in a batch vessel is:
G = UoCAs ( kg/m2-s),
since since A and s are constant, it can be
written as
G = UoC ( kg/s