cmutsvangwa: Water Quality & Treatment, Dept of Civil & Water Eng.

10/10/2006

5-1

Chapter 5 THEORY OF SEDIMENTATION

Downward movement of small suspended particles by gravity. Sedimentation is classified upon the characteristics and concentration of suspended materials: discrete particles flocculent dilute suspension

Discrete particles (Type 1) Particle whose size, shape and specific gravity do not change with time i.e. noninteractive settling of particles from a dilute suspension. Examples are grit and sand, and their mass is constant. Flocculant particles (Type 2) Particles which agglomerate (coalesce/flocculate) during settling i.e. no constant characteristics. Their mass varies during the process of settling and an increase in mass causes a faster rate of settlement.

Depth

Flocculent particle path

Discrete particle path

Time Fig. 1: Settling paths of discrete and flocculent particles Dilute suspension Concentration of particles is not sufficient to cause significant displacement of water as they settle. 1
Chapter 5 Theory of Sedimentation

cmutsvangwa: Water Quality & Treatment, Dept of Civil & Water Eng.

10/10/2006

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Hindered particles Or called zonal settlement, the particles interact and the concentration of particles is high. Settlement is slow because as particles move down (large in numbers), water is displaced upwards hindering downward settlement.

Theory of sedimentation
Discrete particles Discrete particles will accelerate until a limiting terminal velocity is reached when placed in a liquid of lower density. Gravitational force=frictional drag force
Gravity force = Fg = ( s w )gV

(1)

Where:

s w
V

=density of particle =density of fluid =volume of particle

Fdrag

Fg

Fig. 2: A settling particle in water Fdrag = Cd AC Where: Cd Ac vs =Newtons drag coefficient =cross-sectional area of particle perpendicular to the direction of motion -settling velocity of particle 2
Chapter 5 Theory of Sedimentation

vs2 2

(2)

cmutsvangwa: Water Quality & Treatment, Dept of Civil & Water Eng.

10/10/2006

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The coefficient of drag varies with shape and the regime of flow which is defined by the Reynolds number, Re: For laminar flow, Re1 1<Re103 Re>103

Cd = Cd =
Cd

24 Re 24 3 + + 0.34 Re Re
=0.4 or

Transitional flow, Turbulent flow, and Where;

Re =

v s w d

Re =

v s d

=shape factor =diameter of particle

At equilibrium; Therefore;

Fg = Fdrag
2

( s w )gV = Cd Ac w vs
vs = 2 gV ( s w ) C d Ac w

Particles are assumed spherical and for perfect spheres, the shape factor, =1. The shape factor accounts for irregularities of particles.

V =

d 3
6

Or

4 d V = 3 2

A=

d 2
4
4 gd ( s w ) 3C d w

Hence

vs =

(Newtons law

Or

vs =

4 gd (S s 1) 3Cd

Specific gravity 3

Ss =

s w

Chapter 5

Theory of Sedimentation

cmutsvangwa: Water Quality & Treatment, Dept of Civil & Water Eng.

10/10/2006

5-4

Therefore for laminar flow:

gd 2 ( s w ) 18

vs =

gd 2 (S s 1) 18 vs =

(Stokes Law)

Or Where;

vs =

gd 2 (S s S w ) 18

Ss Sw

=specific gravity of particle =specific gravity of liquid

To use the above equations for nonspherical particle, the diameter d must be the diameter of equivalent spherical particle. The volume of the equivalent spherical particle:

Vsphere

4 d 2 = = d non spher 3 2

d = 1.24 0.33 d non sphere

Estiamte values for the shape factors (Sincero, 1996) are in Table 1: Table 1; Estimated values of shape factors shape factor ( ) 0.64 0.77 0.86 1.0

Materila Angular sand Sharp sand Worn sand Perfect sphere

In water treatment flow is usually laminar and transitional, but the sphericity is not always 1, i.e. particles not always spherical. The effects of irregular shape are not pronounced in low settling velocities. This suite most sedimentation processes because they are designed to remove small particles which settle slowly.

Kinematic vis cos ity, =

absolute vis cos ity , mass density,

Therefore dynamic viscosity,

Example 1 Determine the terminal settling velocity for a sand particle with an average diameter of 0.5mm and a density of 2600kg/m3 settling in water at 20oC. 4
Chapter 5 Theory of Sedimentation

cmutsvangwa: Water Quality & Treatment, Dept of Civil & Water Eng.

10/10/2006

5-5

Solution: 1 Determine the terminal settling velocity using Stokes Law:

Check the Reynolds number and assuming =0.85 for sand.

NR 3

=93.2

Because the Reynolds number is greater than 1, then it should be computed 24 3 from the equation: C d = + + 0.34 Re Re

5
Chapter 5 Theory of Sedimentation

cmutsvangwa: Water Quality & Treatment, Dept of Civil & Water Eng.

10/10/2006

5-6

Example 2 Determine the terminal settling velocity of a discrete spherical particle having a diameter of 0.6mm and specific gravity of 2.65. T=22oC.

6
Chapter 5 Theory of Sedimentation

cmutsvangwa: Water Quality & Treatment, Dept of Civil & Water Eng.

10/10/2006

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Example 3 Determine the terminal settling velocity of a discrete worn sand particle having a measured diameter of 0.6mm and specific gravity 2.65. T=22oC. Solution

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Chapter 5 Theory of Sedimentation

cmutsvangwa: Water Quality & Treatment, Dept of Civil & Water Eng.

10/10/2006

5-8

SETTLING IN AN IDEAL SETTLING BASIN FOR TYPE 1 PARTICLES

An ideal horizontal settling zone is free from inlet and outlet disturbance, in which particles settle freely at terminal settling velocities in quiescent conditions without any disturbances and flocculation is absent (Fig. 3). The particles are distributed uniformly In the design of sedimentation basins, the usual procedure is to select a particle with a terminal velocity vs and to design the basin so that all the particles that have a terminal velocity equal to or greater than vs will be removed.

Q = Av s
Where: A vs =surface area of sedimentation basin =settling velocity or surface loading, m3/m2.day ( v s =

(1)

Q ) A

Inlet zone Particle trajectory h Settling zone vp vs

vp

Outlet zone

Fig. 3 Type I settling in a horizontal basin 8

Chapter 5 Theory of Sedimentation

cmutsvangwa: Water Quality & Treatment, Dept of Civil & Water Eng.

10/10/2006

5-9

Design velocity for a continuous flow sedimentation:

vs =

depth det ention time

H T

The length of basin and the time a unit of water spend in the basin (detention time) should be such that all particles with velocity vs will settle at the bottom of basin, but adjustments must be made for:

effects of inlet and outlet turbulence short circuiting sludge storage

Particles with velocity less than vs will not be removed during the detention time, but some particles with velocity less than vs which enter the tank at distance from the bottom not greater than H will be removed e.g. at h. Assuming that particles of various sizes are uniformly distributed on the entire depth H, at inlet, then particles with settling velocity vp less than vs will be removed in the ratio:

Xr =
Where:

vp vs
Xr =fraction of particle with settling velocity vp that are removed

i.e. particle with settling velocity vp less than vs which enter the tank at a distance from the bottom not greater than H that are removed. To determine the efficiency of removal for a given settling time, t it is necessary to consider the entire range of settling velocities present in the tank. Determination of settling velocities

sieve analysis and hydrometer test combined with Stokes Law:

vs =

g (S s 1)d 2 18

settling column

Settling column analysis 9

Chapter 5 Theory of Sedimentation

cmutsvangwa: Water Quality & Treatment, Dept of Civil & Water Eng.

10/10/2006

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a settling column 2 to 3m deep, and diameter at least 100x largest particle size to prevent wall effects is used (Fig. 4). the initial suspended solid concentration of the suspension is noted, Co in mg/l sample is placed in a jar and mixed completely to ensure uniform distribution of particles. suspension is allowed to settle quiescently samples are drawn at time intervals at a point h (one point) discrete settling particles, the depth of sampling will not affect the resultant distribution curves h of the settling velocities: vi = ti all particle with velocity vp>vs will pass the sampling point and settle, and particles remaining must have settling velocity less than vs (vp<vs). However, there us a partial removal of some particles with velocity vp<vs and will be removed in the ratio:

vs the procedure is repeated for time intervals t2, t3; t4; t5..tn, and these values of settling velocities are plotted against mass fraction remaining to give the settling velocity characteristic distribution curve for the suspension (Fig. 5).
vp<vs

Xr =

vp

Sampling point h

vp>vs

Fig. 4 Column analysis for discrete particles

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Chapter 5 Theory of Sedimentation

cmutsvangwa: Water Quality & Treatment, Dept of Civil & Water Eng.

10/10/2006

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1.0
Proportion of particles with less than stated settling velocity

1-Xs Xs
Removed particles

Xp
Suspension settling velocity distribution curve for the mass fraction remaining

vp

vs
Settling velocities

Fig. 5: Settling velocity distribution curve for the mass fraction remaining xs vp The total removal is given as: R = (1 x s ) + dx v 0 s Where; Xs =particles with vp=vs 1=Xs =fraction of particles with vpvs removed
xs

v
0

vp
s

dx =fraction of particles with vp<vs removed

Example Determine the total removal efficiency given the following data:

settling analysis results Table 2 column is 1.6m deep surface loading is 30m/day Co=200mg/l

Table 2 Time, min Conc, Ci, mg/l Solution 11

Chapter 5 Theory of Sedimentation

0 200

40 175

80 170

120 160

160 155

200 110

240 80

280 35

cmutsvangwa: Water Quality & Treatment, Dept of Civil & Water Eng.

10/10/2006

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1.

Compute mass fraction remaining and corresponding velocities (Table 3)

Table 3 Time (min) Mass fraction remaining, C xi = i Co h vs = , t m/min vs (m/min) 40 0.88 80 0.85 120 0.8 160 0.78 200 0.55 240 0.4 280 0.175

0.04

0.02

0.013

0.01

0.008

0.0067

0.0007

4x10-2

2x10-2

1.3x10-2

1x10-2

0.8x10-2

0.67x10-2

0.07x10-2

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Chapter 5 Theory of Sedimentation

cmutsvangwa: Water Quality & Treatment, Dept of Civil & Water Eng.

10/10/2006

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13
Chapter 5 Theory of Sedimentation

cmutsvangwa: Water Quality & Treatment, Dept of Civil & Water Eng.

10/10/2006

5-14

TYPE II SETTLING (FLOCCULENT PARTICLES)

Flocculation particles are in dilute suspension settling is a result of inter-particle collisions density of particles change because flocculating particles are continually changing in size, shape and settling velocities due to the above factors, Stokes law cannot be applies

Analysis of settlement for Type 2 particles analysis performed in column at least 300mm in diameter depth equal to the proposed sedimentation tank samples are withdrawn at regular time intervals from multiple ports or different sampling heights and analysed to determine the reduction in suspended solids the % removal is plotted as a numerical value against the depth and time the concentrations obtained are used to compute mass fraction removal instead of he mass fraction remaining from the plot removal at various times, the theoretical efficiency is predicted and a theoretical surface loading is established the design surface loading should be 1/3 of that suggested by the settling tests (theoretical), to get similar solids removal results to those obtained from a settling column
Cij xij = 1 C 0 100 ,

Where: xij Co Cij

=mass fraction is % that is removed at the ith depth at jth time interval =initial solid concentration =concentration at ith depth and jth depth time interval

the values Cij and time are plotted to give isoremoval lines (Fig. 6), lines with the same concentration the slope at any point on any given isoremoval line is the instantaneous velocity of the fraction of particles represented by the line 14
Theory of Sedimentation

Chapter 5

cmutsvangwa: Water Quality & Treatment, Dept of Civil & Water Eng.

10/10/2006

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velocity becomes greater at greater depth (the slope of the isoremoval lines becomes steeper), a common characteristic of flocculating suspensions, reflecting and increase in particle size and settling velocity because of continued collision and aggregation with other particles.

The % removal is given as:

% removal =
Where: h R1 h

h R + Rn +1 h1 R1 + R2 h2 R2 + R3 + ..... + n n + h 2 h 2 h 2
=column height =see diagram =see diagram

Example Determine the overall removal efficiency of the sedimentation tank and surface loading given the following g data:

initial solid concentration of sample Co =200mg/l results of column analysis of flocculating suspension (Table 4) height of sedimentation tank =2.4m detention time =1 hr 20min

Table 4

Table 5 15
Chapter 5 Theory of Sedimentation

cmutsvangwa: Water Quality & Treatment, Dept of Civil & Water Eng.

10/10/2006

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Solution

Cij (Table 5) xij = 1 C 100 0 plot iso-concentration lines (isoremoval lines), Fig. 6 plot vertical line at t =1 hr 20 mins (80 mins, i.e. retention time) from the graph at 80 mins, about 45% of the solids reach the floor i.e. 100% removed determine h Overall removal, R

compute

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Chapter 5 Theory of Sedimentation

cmutsvangwa: Water Quality & Treatment, Dept of Civil & Water Eng.

10/10/2006

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Fig. 6 Plot of the iso-concentration curves

Overal % removal =

0.5 45 + 50 0.6 50 + 60 0.3 60 + 70 0.5 70 + 80 0.3 80 + 90 + + + + 2.4 2 2.4 2 2.4 2 2.4 2 2.4 2

0.4 90 + 100 = 73.76% 2.4 2

Surface loading

Q m 3 / day Area(L B ), m 2
volume of tan k Q

Detention time,

t=

80 =

Area heigh Area 2.4 = Q Q

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Chapter 5 Theory of Sedimentation

cmutsvangwa: Water Quality & Treatment, Dept of Civil & Water Eng.

10/10/2006

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80 min Area = 2.4m Q

Surface loading

Q 2.4 = = 0.03m / min = 43.2m / day = 43.2m 3 / m 2 .day area 80

Adjustment for full scale

SL =

43.2 = 28.8m / day 28.8m 3 / m 2 .day 1.5

The surface loading for continuous flow tank should be 1/3 of that suggested by the settling column tests to get similar solids removal results to those obtained from a settling column. The optimum removal efficiency can be obtained by trying several detention times and then computing the surface loadings. The one which gives the maximum removal efficiency will be the one corresponding the maximum optimum surface loading. References

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Chapter 5 Theory of Sedimentation