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Flocculation - Outline
• Types of flocculator
– Hydraulic Method
– Mechanical Devices
• Introduction:
– Hydraulic method
– Mechanical devices
Design of flocculation tanks
Horizontal Vertical
• Example:
• Stage 1 25 s-1
• Stage 11 17.5 s-1
• Stage 111 12.5 s-1
Hydraulic Flocculation
• Design criteria for flocculator velocity gradient
1 1
2 2
• G = 𝑄𝜌𝑔ℎ𝑓 = 𝜌𝑔ℎ𝑓
𝜇∀ 𝜇𝑡
G = velocity gradient, s-1
Ρ = density of water, kg/m3
h = head loss, m
μ = dynamic viscosity, kg/m3
t = detention time, Q/V, s
Q = flow, m3/s,
P = power input = 𝑄𝜌𝑔ℎ, watt or kgm2/s3
V= volume of tank, m3
g = 9.81 m/s2
Mechanical Flocculation
Example:
• Horizontal shaft with paddle wheel
• Vertical shaft with paddle wheel
• Turbine
• Axial or radial flow propellers
Mechanical Flocculation
Advantages Disadvantages
Agitation requirement;
• Where;
CD = coefficient of drag of flocculator, 1.8 flat blade (paddles moving
perpendicular to the fluid, which varies with Length/Width ratio of
the paddles)
AP = area of paddle blades, m2
VP = velocity of the paddle relative to the water, m/s
Ρ = density of water, kg/m3