Water Supply and Environmental

Engineering Dept.

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 Wastewater Engineering-I

WASTEWATER ENGINEERING-I
(WSEE-3122)
FOR WATER SUPPLY & ENV’NTAL ENG’G
STUDENTS
YEAR III, Semister II
INSTRUCTOR: Moltot G. (MSc)

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 Wastewater Engineering-I

Chapter 3
Preliminary wastewater treatment
Outline:
 Principles and design of screening
 Grit chamber and primary sedimentation tanks
 Chemical aided wastewater treatments

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 Wastewater Engineering-I

 THE PRELIMINARY WASTEWATER TREATMENT

o Designed to physically remove or cut up the
o Larger suspended and floating materials
o Heavy inorganic solids
o Excessive amounts of oil and grease
o Serves three important functions:
o Removal of untreatable solid materials: saves valuable space within the TP
o Protection of pumping equipment and subsequent treatment units
o Improve performance of subsequent treatment units
o The preliminary treatment system include
o Screens
o Comminutors (grinders, cutters and shredders)
o Grit removal chambers
o Skimming tanks
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 Wastewater Engineering-I

1) Screening
 Remove the floating matter, such as pieces of cloth, paper,
wood, cork, hair, fiber, kitchen refuse, fecal solids, etc.
 What if floating materials not removed?
 will choke the pipes, or adversely affect the working of the sewage
pumps.

Depending upon the size of

the openings, screens may be
classified as
 coarse screens,
 medium screens, and
 fine screens.
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 Wastewater Engineering-I

Fig. Coarse screen for removing large debris from WW

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 Wastewater Engineering-I

o Depending on the spacing b/n the bars screens are classified as

 Trash racks: 40 mm to 150 mm openings; prevent very large
objects
 Manually cleaned racks: openings range from 25 to 50 mm
 Mechanically cleaned racks: have openings ranging from 15 to 75
mm

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 Wastewater Engineering-I
Cont…

Table: Characteristics of manual & mechanical bar screens

Characteristics of manual bar screen Characteristics of mechanical bar screen

Bar spacing ranges b/n 2-5 cm Bar spacing ranges b/n 1.5 - 4 cm

The screen is mounted at an angle of 45-70o The screen is mounted at an angle of 70 – 90 o

from horizontal from horizontal

Bars are usually 1 cm thick, 2.5 wide Bars are usually 1 cm thick, 2.5 wide

Minimum approach velocity is 0.3 to 0.6 m/s to Minimum approach velocity is 0.3 to 0.6 m/s to
prevent grit deposition in the channel prevent grit deposition in the channel

Maximum velocity b/n the bars is 0.6 to 0.90 Maximum velocity between the bars is 0.6 to
m/s to prevent washout of solids through the 0.90 m/s to prevent washout of solids through
bars the bars
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 Wastewater Engineering-I
Cont…
oTrash racks: have large openings to exclude larger debris & garbage
Consist of rectangular or circular steel bars arranged in a parallel manner
Size of opening between bars ranges from 50 to 150 mm
Mechanical rakes are used to clear the solids collected on the trash racks
Trash racks are followed by coarse screens
Coarse screens or bar screens:
Manual cleaned or
Mechanical cleaned
Four categories of mechanisms of cleaning mechanically cleaned screens:
Chain-driven
Reciprocating rake
Catenary
Continuous belt
Fig. Manually cleaned Bar Screen (left) & Mechanical cleaned Bar Screen (right)

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 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…
Design parameters important in the installation of coarse screens:
(a) Location: ahead of fine screens and grit chambers
(b) Approach velocity: for manually cleaned it is limited to about 0.45 m/s at average
flow; for mechanically cleaned screens, at least 0.4 m/s is recommended to minimize solids
deposition in the channel; at peak flow rates, the velocity through the screen should not
exceed 0.9 m/s to prevent the pass-through of solids; two or more units should be installed,
so that one unit may be taken out of service for maintenance
Fig. Mechanically cleaned coarse screens: (a) front-cleaned, front-return chain driven (b)
reciprocating rake

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 Wastewater Engineering-I

Design of the Bar Screen Channel….

o (c) Clear openings b/n bars or mesh size
o (d) Head loss through the screen:
For mechanically cleaned screens it is usually limited to about 150 mm
The head loss is measured as the difference in water level before and after the screen
The head loss through bar screen is a function of approach (upstream) velocity and the velocity
through the bars (downstream velocity) with a discharge coefficient
Fig. Mechanically cleaned coarse screens: (c) catenary and (d ) continuous belt

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 Wastewater Engineering-I
Cont…
Design of the Bar Screen Channel…..
oBernoulli’s equation can be used to estimate the head loss through bar screen:

&
Where
h1 = upstream depth of water (m)
h2 = downstream depth of water (m)
h = head loss (m)
ѵ = approach velocity in upstream channel (m/s)
V = flow velocity through the bar (m/s)
g = acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s2)
oThe head loss is incorporated into a discharge coefficient C (a typical value of = 0.84; thus C2 = 0.70)
oThus, head loss through bar screen:

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 Wastewater Engineering-I
Cont…

o The cross section of the bar screen channel is determined from the continuity
equation:
Qd = design flow, m3/s
Ac = channel cross section, m2
Va = Velocity in the approach channel, m/s
W = channel width, m
d = water depth in the channel, m

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 Wastewater Engineering-I

Design of the Bar Screen Channel….

oUsually, rectangular channels are used, and the ratio between depth and width is taken as 1.5 to
give the most efficient section:
oThe cross section of the bar screen is given by:

As = bar screen cross sectional area, m2

Ө = inclination angle of the screen
The net area of the bar screen available for flow is given by:
Where
S = space between bars (m)
tbar = thickness of the screen bars (m)
oThe approximate number of bars is:
ntbar + (n-1)S = W

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 Wastewater Engineering-I
Cont…

oThe velocity of flow through the bar screen openings can be calculated from the
number of bars in the channel width and the depth of the water level
oNumber of bar spaces = (Nbars + 1)

oArea of screen openings (m2) = (# bar spaces) × (bar spacing) × (water depth)
oV = (flow rate m3/s)/(area of screen openings m2)
Example: A manual bar screen is to be used in an approach channel with a maximum velocity
of 0.60 m/s, and a design flow of 300 L/s. the bars are 10 mm thick and openings are 3 cm wide,
the angle of inclination is 50o. Determine:
a)The cross section of the channel and the dimension needed
b)The velocity between bars
c)The head loss (m)
d)The number of bars in the screen
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 Wastewater Engineering-I
Cont…

FINE SCREENS
oUsed in preliminary treatment after coarse screens, in primary treatment prior
to secondary trickling filters and for treatment of combined sewer overflows
oConsist of stainless steel (bars, mesh or wedge-wire) or perforated plates
made of synthetic material
oHave openings less than 6 mm in size
oDifferent fabrication techniques are used to provide the small screen sizes:
Profile bars arranged in parallel (openings = 0.8 to 2.4mm)
Slotted perforated plates with 0.8 - 2.4 mm wide slots
Wedge-shaped bars welded together into flat panel
Looped wire (openings = 0.13 mm)
Wire mesh (openings = 3.3 mm)
Woven wire cloth (openings = 2.5 mm)
oPlaced downstream of coarse screens
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 Wastewater Engineering-I

Design of Fine Screens

oA minimum of two screens and each should be capable of handling peak flow rates
oFlushing water is needed to remove buildup of grease and other solids on the screen
oThe average approach velocity ranges from 0.6-1.2m/s (> 0.3 m/s @ low flow & < 1.4
m/s @ peak flow)
oThe clear water head loss through a fine screen may be obtained from the
manufacturer’s rating tables
oIt can also be calculated from the following equation
Where
h = head loss, m
Ѵ = approach velocity, m/s
C = coefficient of discharge, unitless
g = gravitational acceleration, m/s2
Q = discharge through the screen, m3/s
A = area of effective opening of submerged screen, m2

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 Wastewater Engineering-I

Design of Fine Screens….

oSeveral broad categories of Fine screens
Band screens: perforated panels attached to a drive chain that act as screening device
Bar screens: similar to bar racks but with finer openings
Drum screens: screening medium is mounted on a cylinder that rotates in a flow channel
Stair screen: consists of two step-shaped sets of thin vertical plates (1 is fixed & 1 is
moving)
Exercise
Fine screens with 3 mm openings have approximately 35% effective open area. Estimate the
head loss for a flow rate of 16,000 m3/d through a 3.2 m2 clean fine screen with 3 mm
openings

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 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…
Disposal of Screenings
 screenings is material separated by screens.
 It contains 85 to 90% of moisture and other floating
matter.
 It may also contain some organic load which may
putrefy, causing bad smells and nuisance.
 To avoid such possibilities, the screenings are disposed
of either by:
 burning,
 burial, or
 dumping.
 The dumping is avoided when screenings are from
medium and fine screens,
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 Wastewater Engineering-I

2. Comminutors/shredder

• are the patented devices,

which break the larger
sewage solids to about
6mm in size,

Figure of Comminutor and shredder

• eliminate the problem of disposal of screenings, by reducing
the solids to a size which can be processed elsewhere in the
plant.
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 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…

 Grit Removal
o Materials having a settling velocity substantially greater than the organic
material
o Grit originates from domestic wastes, storm water runoff, industrial wastes,
pumpage from excavations and groundwater seepage
o Inorganic solids (sand, gravel, broken glass, clay, egg shells, cigarette filter tips,
coffee grounds, metal filings, seeds, bone chips, large food wastes (organic
particles) and other similar materials) that could cause excessive mechanical
abrasion and wear
o Generally non-putrescible
o The purpose of a grit chamber is to:
 Protect pumps and other mechanical equipment from abrasion and wear
 Remove materials that may form heavy deposits in pipelines
 Reduce the formation of deposits in pipelines and channels
 Reduce the frequency of digester cleaning caused by grit accumulation
 Separate heavier inert solids from lighter biodegradable organic solids that
are sent to secondary biological treatment 21
 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…

oGrit chambers are sedimentation tanks that are placed after screens and
before primary clarifiers
oThe controlling parameter in grit removal is the settling velocity of the
particle.
oThe behavior of settling particles in a grit chamber is commonly described
as Type I (discrete particle) sedimentation
oTo separate the inert grit material from organic particles, grit removal
devices depend on the difference in specific gravity between organic and
inorganic solids
oIn standard gravity separation all particles are assumed to settle in accord
with Newton’s equation

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 Wastewater Engineering-I

 Grit Chamber…..
o The Camp–Shields equation is used to estimate the velocity of scour necessary to re-suspend settled
organics

o The dimensionless constant (β) ranges from 0.04 to 0.06. The Darcy-Weisbach friction factor is taken to
be in the range 0.02 to 0.03

Fig.: Aerated Grit Tank

Fig. horizontal-flow grit chamber

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 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…
 Grit Chamber….
 In a horizontal-flow grit chamber to assure removal of the grit and scour of organic
matter that settles, three conditions must be met:
 The overflow rate of the chamber must be equal to the settling velocity of the
inert grit particle
 The horizontal velocity must be less than the scour velocity of the inert particles
 The horizontal velocity must be greater than the scour velocity of the organic
particles
 Types of Grit Removal
o There are four general types of grit removal systems:
 Horizontal-flow Grit Chamber:
 A velocity-controlled (controlled by channel dimensions, an influent distribution
gate and a proportional weir) of a square or rectangular open channel
 It is found in older installations
 It may be cleaned manually or by mechanical sludge scrapers
 Detritus tanks: 24
 A square horizontal-flow grit chamber with a very short detention time
 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…
Aerated grit chambers:
A spiral flow pattern is introduced in the wastewater as it flows through the tank by
supplying air from a diffuser located on one side of the tank
Minimal head loss and aeration helps reduce septic conditions (+ ve)
High power consumption, labor intensive and possible odor issues (- ve)
Vortex-flow grit chambers:
Generates a vortex flow pattern which lift the lighter organic particles upward while the grit
settles to the bottom

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Fig. Vortex grit chamber (left) and spiral roll pattern in an aerated grit chamber
 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…
Design of a Rectangular Grit Chamber provided with a
Proportioning Weir at Effluent End
• Two design parameters, detention time (𝑑𝑡 ) and settling
velocity (𝑣𝑠 ).
• What is detention time?
▫ Is the time required by WW to reach outlet from inlet
• What is settling velocity?
▫ The velocity of grit by which it reaches the bottom of
the chamber.
• After fixing the depth and the detention time, we can
easily design the dimensions of a rectangular chamber,
𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑙 = 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑣ℎ ∗ 𝑑𝑡

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 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…
 two to three separate chambers
in parallel should provided.
 One for low flow, other for
peak flow
 in manual cleaning as one
unit can work, the other is
shut down for cleaning.

The grit chambers can be cleaned

periodically at about 3 weeks
interval, either manually,
mechanically or hydraulically.

proportional flow weir is provided

for controlling velocity of flow.

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 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…
Example:
1. A grit chamber is designed to remove particles with a
diameter of 0.2mm, specific gravity 2.65. Settling
velocity for these particles has been found to range
from 0.016 to 0.022m/sec, depending on their shape
factor. A flow through velocity of 0.3m/sec will be
maintained by proportioning weir. Determine the
channel dimensions for a maximum wastewater flow of
10,000cu m/day.
2. Design a suitable grit chamber cum Detritus tank for a
sewage treatment plant getting a dry weather flow
from a separate sewerage system @4001/s. Assume the
flow velocity through the tank as 0.2m/sec and
detention period of 2 minutes. The maximum flow may
be assumed to be 3 times of dry weather flow. 28
 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…
4) Skimming Tanks
employed for removing oils and grease and
placed before the sedimentation-tanks.
These oil and greasy materials may be removed
in a skimming tank, in which
air is blown by an aerating device through the
bottom.
The rising air tends to coagulate and congeal
(solidify) the grease, and cause it to rise to the
surface from where it is removed.
A detention period of about 3 - 5 min. is
sufficient,

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 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…

The surface area required

for the tank can be found
out by using the formula:
𝒒
𝑨 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟔𝟐𝟐 ∗
𝑽𝒓
Where, q = rate of flow in
m3/day
Vr = minimum rising
velocity of greasy material
to be removed in m/minute
= 0.25m/minute in most
cases

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 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…

Primary Wastewater Treatment

 consists in removing large suspended organic
solids.
 This is usually accomplished by sedimentation in
settling basins.
 What is sedimentation?
Sedimentation
• is the physical separation of suspended material from
water or wastewater by the action of gravity.
• SSs are separated by settling to the bottom of
sedimentation tanks by gravitational force.
• Sedimentation tanks are tank designed to remove this
organic matter from the sewage effluent coming out from
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the grit chambers.
 Wastewater Engineering-I

The principle behind sedimentation:

The very fundamental principle underlying the process of
sedimentation is that the organic matter present in sewage
is having specific gravity greater than that of water (i.e.
1.0).
In still sewage, these particles will, tend to settle down
by gravity;
in flowing sewage, particles are kept in suspension,
because of the turbulence in water.
Hence, as soon as the turbulence is retarded by offering
storage to sewage, these impurities tend to settle down at
the bottom of the tank offering such storage.

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cont…
Types of Settling
Depending on the particles concentration and the interaction between
particles, 4 types of settling can occur: Discrete (type I), Flocculent
(type II), Hindered (type III), Compression (type IV)
1. Discrete particle settling: The particles settle without interaction
and occur under low solids concentration.
2. Flocculent settling: particles initially settle independently, but
flocculate in the depth of the clarification unit.
▫ The velocity of settling particles is usually increasing as the particles
aggregates.

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 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…

3. Hindered/zone settling : Inter-particle forces are sufficient to

hinder the settling of neighboring particles. The particles tend to remain
in fixed positions with respect to each others.
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 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…
4. Compression settling: occurs when the particle
concentration is so high that so that particles at one
level are mechanically influenced by particles on lower
levels. The settling velocity then drastically reduces.
Settling of Discrete Particles (Type I Settling)
when discrete particles is placed in quiescent fluid, it will
accelerate until the friction resistance (drag force, FD) is equal
to the impelling force (driving force) acting on the particles.
At this stage, the particles attain a uniform or terminal velocity
and settles down with this constant velocity called settling
velocity, 𝑉𝑠 .
The settling velocity of this particle is expressed by Stoke's law,
g d2
Vs = (G − 1)
18 𝑣
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 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…

Derivation of Stoke’s Law: 3 forces on settling

particle
Drag force, particle weight, buoyancy force
1. The drag force: is given by Newton's law, as
𝑣2
𝐷𝑟𝑎𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒(𝐹𝐷 ) = 𝐶𝐷 𝐴𝜌𝑤
2
Where, CD = Coefficient of drag
A = Area of particle
w = Density of water
v = velocity of fall
2. The weight of the particle (W) = 𝑚𝑔 = 𝑣𝑝 pg 36
 Wastewater Engineering-I

3. Force of buoyance (𝐹𝑏 ) = 𝑣𝑝 wg

Where,Vp= volume of particle
w= density of water
p= density of particles
upward and downward force will become equal when v (in drag force equation) becomes
equal to vs.
vs 2
CD Aρw + 𝑣𝑝 wg= 𝑣𝑝 pg
2
vs 2
CD Aρw = 𝑣𝑝 pg- 𝑣𝑝 wg
2

vs 2
CD A ∗ ρ w ∗ = vp g(p − w )
2
2 vp g(p − w )
vs2 =
CD A ∗ ρ w
For spherical particles
4
vp = πr 3 and A = πr 2
3
4𝑑g(p−w )
vs2 = , d = particle diameter
3CD ρw
4𝑑g(G−1)
vs2 = …general equation to calculate settling velocity of particles
3CD
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 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…

The coefficient of drag (CD)is a function of Reynolds

number, Re
24
CD = (laminar flow or streamline flow)
Re
𝑣 𝑑
Where, Re is the particle Reynolds number = 𝑠

Therefore, the above equation then becomes,
2
4 ∗ g(G − 1)d
vs =
3 24
𝑅𝑒
2
4 𝑅𝑒
vs = ∗ g(G − 1)d ∗
3 24
2
g vs d
vs = ∗ G−1 d∗
18 
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒  = 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑(m2/s)
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 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…
g 𝑑2
vs = ∗ G−1 ∗
18 
The above Stoke's equation is valid for particles of size less
than 0.1mm; in which case, the viscous force predominates
over the inertial force, leading to what is known as streamline
settling
a) For transition settling (d between 0.1mm and 1.0mm)
3
Here 1 < 𝑅𝑒 < 10
24 3
CD = + + 0.34
Re Re
b) For turbulent settling (d > 1.0mm)
3
Here 𝑅𝑒 < 10 CD = 0.34 to 0.4
For turbulent settling, the vs reduces to:
vs = 1.8 gd ∗ (G − 1)
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cont…

Sedimentation Tanks

• are designed for effecting settlement of particles by

reducing the flow velocity or by deta-ining the sewage
in them.

• They are generally made of reinforced concrete and

may be rectangular or circular in plan.

• Long narrow rectangular tanks with horizontal flow are

generally preferred to the circular tanks with radial or
spiral flow
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 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…

Sedimentation basin has four district zones: inlet, settling,

outlet and sludge zone

Settling zone

Outlet
Outflow

zone
zone
Inlet

Inflow
Sludge zone

Scraper blade

Sludge
Fig. of rectangular sedimentation tank 41
 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…

o Sedimentation tanks may function either intermittently

or continuously.
o The Intermittent settling tanks are simple settling
tanks which store sewage for a certain period and keep
it in complete rest.
o In a continuous flow the flow velocity is only reduced,
and the sewage is not brought to complete rest, as is
done in an intermittent type.

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 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…

Design of a Continuous Flow Sedimentation Tank

Depends on the following assumptions:
1. Particles settles in settling zone of the tank
2. The flow is horizontal and steady and the velocity is
uniform in all parts of settling zone for time equal to 𝐭 𝐝 .
3. The concentration of suspended solid of each size is the
same at all points of the vertical cross-section at the
inlet end.
4. A particle is removed when it reach the bottom of
settling zone.

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cont…

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 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…

• Let L and H be the length and depth, respectively of the settling

zone. Let B be the widht of the tank and Q be the discharge rate.
Then, the horizontal velocity is:
discahrge Q
Vh = = … … … … 3.1
cross_scetional area BH
• And the time of horizontal flow is:
𝐿 𝐿𝐵𝐻 𝑉
𝑡𝑑 = = = … … … … … 3.2
𝑉ℎ 𝑄 𝑄
• The time for falling through distance H will be:
𝐻
𝑡𝑑 = … … … … … … .3.3
𝑉𝑠
Equating equation 3.2 and 3.3:
𝐻 𝐿𝐵𝐻
= 45
𝑉𝑠 𝑄
 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…
𝑄 𝑄
𝑉𝑠 = = … … … … … 3.4, 𝐴𝑠 is surface/plan area
𝐿𝐵 𝐴𝑠
Equation 3.4 defines the overflow rate or overflow velocity
𝑄
And suggests all particle with 𝑉𝑠 > will reach the bottom before the
𝐴𝑠
end outlet of the tank.
𝑄
 If a smaller particle having 𝑉𝑠 ′ < enters the tank at point C it will
𝐴𝑠
settle through only at height h. then,
ℎ 𝐿𝐵𝐻
𝑡𝑑 = =
𝑉𝑠 ′ 𝑄
𝐿𝐵𝐻 𝑉 ′
𝑠
ℎ = 𝑉𝑠′ = 𝐻 … … … … 3.5
𝑄 𝑉𝑠
Therefore, these particles will not settle if they enter the basin above
point C.
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 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…
Table. Design criteria for primary sedimentation tank
parameter value
range typical
Detention time, hr 1.5-2.5 2
Overflow rate,m3/m2/d
Average flow 32-48
Peak flow 80-120 100
Weir loading, m3/m/d 125-500 250
Dimensions, m
Rectangular
Depth 3-5 3.6
Length 15-90 25-40
Width* 3-24 6-10
Sludge scrapper speed, m/min 0.6-1.4 1
Circular
Depth 3-5 4.5
Diameter 3.6-60 12-45
Bottom slope, mm/m 60-160 80
Sludge scrapper speed, m/min 0.02-0.05 0.03
*must divide into bays of not greater than 6m wide
47
Source: Howard S. Peavy
 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…

Constructional Details of the Sedimentation Tanks

a. Inlet and Outlet Arrangement
• In order to reduce short circuiting and to distribute the
flow uniformly proper arrangement must be made for
smooth entry of water.
• A most suitable type of an inlet for a rectangular
settling tank is in the form of a channel extending to
full width of the tank, with a submerged weir type baffle
wall.
• A similar type of outlet arrangement is also used these
days. It consists of an outlet channel extending for full
width of the tank
48
 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…

Figure of Weir
Fig. Section of a submerged
type outlet
type or a weir type inlet
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 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…
b. Baffles
• Baffles are required to distribute the sewage uniformly
through the cross-section of the tank, and thus to avoid
short circuiting.
• Both inlets and outlets are, therefore, protected by
hanging baffles,
c. Skimming Troughs

• When the amount of oils and greasy matter is small, a

skim trough is generally provided in the sedimentation
tank itself, near its outlet end,

50
 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…

d. Cleaning and Sludge Removal

• the deposited sludge should have to removed before it
becomes stale and septic.
• It also reduces the capacity of the tank and its
detention period,
• it leads to the evolution of foul gases formed due to the
anaerobic decomposition.
• Modern sedimentation tanks, however, are generally
provided with mechanical cleaning devices (scraped by
scrapers ).

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 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…

Problems
1. Find the terminal settling velocity of a spherical particle with
diameter 0.5mm and specific gravity of 2.65 settling through water
at 20°C
Solution:
Step 1: Assume laminar flow, then 𝜌𝑤 = 998.2kg/𝑚3 and dynamic
viscosity= 1.002*10−3 𝑁. 𝑠/𝑚2 at 20°C
g 𝑑2 𝑔 𝑑2
vs = ∗ G−1 ∗ = ∗ 𝜌𝑝 − 𝜌𝑤 ∗
18  18 𝜇
9.81𝑚/𝑠 2650 − 998.2 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 ∗ (5 ∗ 10−4 )2 𝑚
𝑣𝑠 =
18 ∗ 1.002 ∗ 10−3 𝑁. 𝑠/𝑚2
𝑣𝑠 = 0.22𝑚/𝑠
52
Step 2: Check Reynolds number
 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…

0.22𝑚/𝑠∗ 5∗10−4 𝑚∗998.2𝑘𝑔/𝑚3

Re=
1.002∗10−3 𝑁.𝑠/𝑚2
Re = 112 which is transition flow
24 3 24 3
Step 3: 𝐶𝐷 = + + 0.34 = + + 0.34 = 0.84
𝑅𝑒 𝑅𝑒 112 112
4 2650−998.2
Step 4: using general eqn.𝑣𝑠2 = ∗ 9.81 ∗ ∗ 5 ∗ 10−4
3 0.84∗998.2

𝑣𝑠 = 0.11𝑚/𝑠

Step 5: With𝑣𝑠 =0.11 repeat step 2, 3 and 4

Re = 55

𝐶𝐷 = 1.18
Re < 1…laminar flow
Re >104 … 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑏𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤
𝑣𝑠 = 0.10m/s 1< Re < 104 …transition flow
53
 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…

2. A municipal wastewater treatment plant processes an average

flow of 5000m3/d, with peak flow as high as 12,500m3/d. design a
primary clarifier to remove approximately 60 percent of the
suspended solids at average flow.
Solution:
Assume overflow rate of 35m3/m2.d
𝑄 5000𝑚3/𝑑
𝐴𝑠 = = = 143𝑚2
𝑞𝑜 35𝑚3/𝑚2. 𝑑
Assume tank shape as circular,
𝜋𝑑 2
𝐴𝑠 =
4
54
 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…

𝜋𝑑2
143 =
4
d=13.5m
Assume depth 3m
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 143 ∗ 3𝑚 = 429𝑚3
And detention time
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 429𝑚3
𝑡𝑑 = = = 0.09𝑑 = 2.06ℎ𝑟
𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 5000𝑚3/𝑑
Exercise: redesign using peak flow and compare the result.

55
 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…

3. A city must treat about 15,000m3/d of water. Flocculating

particles are produced by coagulation and column analysis
indicates that an overflow rate of 20m/d will produce
satisfactory removal at a depth of 3.5m. Determine the size
of the required settling tank. And check detention time,
check horizontal velocity.
Take length to width ratio as 3/1.

56
 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…
Solution:
I. Compute surface area (provide two tanks at 7500m3/d each)
𝑄 = 𝑞𝑜 𝐴𝑠
7500𝑚3/𝑑 = 20𝑚/𝑑 ∗ 𝐴𝑠
𝐴𝑠 = 374𝑚2
II. length-to-width ratio of 3/1, calculate surface dimensions.
w*3W = 375m2
Width= 11m
Length=34
III. Check retention time.
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 11𝑚 ∗ 34 ∗ 3.5
𝑡= =
𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 7500𝑚 1𝑑
∗
𝑑 24ℎ𝑟
𝑡 = 4.19ℎ𝑟
IV. check horizontal velocity
7500𝑚3 1𝑑
𝑄 ∗
𝑣ℎ = = 𝑑 24ℎ𝑟 =
𝐴𝑥 11𝑚 ∗ 3.5𝑚

57
 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…

V. check weir overflow rate. If simple weir is placed across end of the
tank, overflow length will be 11m and overflow rate will be
7500𝑚3 1𝑑 1 𝑚3
∗ ∗ = 28.4
𝑑 24ℎ𝑟 11𝑚 ℎ𝑟. 𝑚
VI. Add inlet and outlet zones equal to depth of tank and sludge zones

34m 11m

3.5m
3.5m 3.5m

Depth settling zone plus 0.5 freeboard plus 0.5 sludge zone.
58
 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…

Problems
1. Design a suitable rectangular sedimentation tank (provided with
mechanical cleaning equipment) for treating the sewage from a
city provided with an assured public water supply system, with a
maximum daily demand of 12 million liters per day. Assume
suitable values of detention period and velocity of flow in the tank.
Make any other assumptions, wherever needed.
Take detention period 2.5 hrs.

59
 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…

Sedimentation Aided with Coagulation

What is Coagulation?
 Coagulation is the destabilization of colloids (very fine SS) by
addition of chemicals that neutralize the negative charges
 Colloids have a net negative surface charge
 The chemicals are known as
coagulants, usually higher valence
cationic salts (Al3+, Fe3+ etc.)

• Coagulation is essentially chemical processes

60
 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…

 Then, the destabilized particles agglomerate into a large size

particles known as flocs which can be effectively removed by
sedimentation or flotation.
 The process of forming flocs is called flocculation.

Fig. of sedimentation by coagulation

61
 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…
Why coagulation and flocculation?

GravIty settlIng
Colloids – so small: gravity settling not possible 62
 Wastewater Engineering-I
cont…
Table of Properties of the important coagulants used in sewage treatment
B.O.D.
SS removed pH value
removed Dosage
S. Name of as %age required
as %age of required Remarks
No. coagulant of total for proper
total in ppm
Present functioning
present
This coagulant is widely used for
Ferric
l. 80 - 90 90 - 95 25 - 35 5.5 to 7.0 sewage treatment, wherever,
chloride
coagulation is adopted.
Ferric sulphate has been found to be
more effective than chlorinated
Ferric
copperas, if used in conjunction with
2. sulphate 60 80 35 - 40 8.0 to 8.5
lime. Hence ferric chloride and ferric
with lime
sulphate are mainly used, as
coagulants in sewage.
It is generally not used in sewage
3. Alum 60 80 40 - 90 6 to 8.5 although used for treating water
supplies on a large scale.
5.5 to 7.0 This coagulant is effective for
Chlorinated
4. 70 - 80 80 - 90 35 - 80 and producing sludge for activated63sludge
copperas
9.0 to 9.5 process.
Wastewater Engineering-I

Safe water!

64