Sedimentation 2023
Sedimentation 2023
Sedimentation 2023
Flotation
Sedimentation
• Sedimentation is a physical process in which suspended particles, like flocs, sand and clay are removed from
water through gravity.
• Sedimentation is frequently used in surface water treatment to avoid rapid clogging of sand filters after
coagulation and floc formation.
• The clean water (supernatant) leaves the sedimentation tank through collection troughs located at the end
of horizontal tanks or the top of vertical sedimentation tanks.
• Effective sedimentation and removal of particles from water depends mainly on the effectiveness of the
coagulation-flocculation process and on the proper design of the sedimentation tank.
• On the basis of the concentration of particles and the tendency of particles to interact, four types
of settling behaviour can be distinguished: discrete particle settling, flocculent settling, hindered
• The terms sedimentation and settling are used interchangeably.
Illustration of different settling types
Sedimentation
• Applications in Water Treatment:
• 1.settling of coagulated and flocculated waters prior to filtration
• 2.settlingof coagulated and flocculated waters in a softening
plant.
• 3.settling of treated waters in an iron and manganese removal
plant
Settling Basins
Advantages
• Simplest technologies
• Little energy input
• Relatively inexpensive to install and operate
• No specialized operational skills
• Easily incorporated into new or existing facilities
Disadvantages
• Poor removal of small suspended solids
• Large floor space requirements
• Re-suspension of solids
Types of settling behavior
Settling zones in a horizontal sedimentation tank
DESIGN
In specifying a water and wastewater sedimentation tank size, the major
features to be considered are:
Stokes Law
• Denser and large particles have a
higher settling velocity
Settling Basins
• Design to minimize turbulence:
inlet outlet
effective settling zone
1–2 m
sludge zone
weir full-width
to enhance laminar flow weir
(85% of water depth)
length
width
settling surface area = length x width
flow flow
Circular Basin Rectangular Basin
Basin Model
A particle that is just removed has a settling velocity v0.
This trajectory represents a particle which
has a settling velocity v0
v0 = h / t = Q / A
Where: t = V/Q
A = surface area of the basin
Critical Settling Velocity and Overflow Rate
Flotation is a much more effective process for removal of such light flocs.
V0 = Q/A Since the settling rate (Vp) 0.004 < 0.005 surface overflow rate
(Vs), NOT all particles will settle and be removed from the
v0 = Q/A = 0.6 m/sec / (20 m x 6 m) = 0.005 m/sec influent stream.