BATCH SETTLING SEDIMENTATION LABORATORY EXPERIMENT

ABSTRACT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NOMENCLATURE
 I. INTRODUCTION

The world today is one where materials need to be extracted from time to time in order
that they become stand-alone. Most often than not, process industries would always be
saddled with the responsibility of separation. The Batch sedimentation phenomenon has
been a widely used method in the separation of flocculated suspension into concentrated
sediment and a clear liquid. Sedimentation is one major form of separation also known as
settling, and may be defined as the removal of solid particles from a suspension by settling
under gravity.

In this report, the investigated material, chalk is of great interest for several different
applications in industries. Hence, this work investigates the sedimentation process of chalk
in order to understand its behavior considering the different conditions set out.

II. OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the sedimentation experiment are as follows:

1. Effect of initial concentration on the sedimentation characteristics:

a. Plot initial mass settling rate against concentration;
b. Plot the settling velocity against the limiting concentration;
2. Construction of the rate of settling curve against concentration from a single batch test;
3. Effect of initial height on sedimentation characteristics.

III. REVIEW OF THEORY OR LITERATURE

Sedimentation is the separation of a dilute slurry by gravity settling into a clear fluid
and a slurry of higher solids content. The mechanism of sedimentation is best described by
observation of what occurs during a batch settling test. In a batch sedimentation operation,
the heights of the various zones vary with time. The same zones will be present in
continuously operating equipment. However, once steady state has been reached (where
the slurry fed per unit time to the thickener is equal to the rate of sludge and clear liquor
removal), the heights of each zone will be constant.
 Nearly all of the current methods for design calculations stem from the work of CDE
and Clevenger. The primary assumption was that the rate of descent of the solid liquid
interface was a function of local concentration. Batch test results show that the settling
velocity decreases with increasing concentration. But the decrease is less rapid than the
increase in concentration. This balance of decreasing linear velocity and increasing mass
flow as a consequence of greater density of solids in the compacting layer is unpredictable
but is important in the design process.

For a given solid and liquid, the main factors which affect the process are the height of
the suspension and the volumetric concentration.

A. Height of suspension

The height of suspension does not generally affect either the rate of sedimentation
or the consistency of the sediment ultimately obtained. If, however, the position of the
sludge line is plotted as a function of time for two different initial heights of slurry,
curves of the form shown in Figure 1 are obtained in which the ratio OA:OA is
everywhere constant. Thus, if the curve is obtained for any one initial height, the curves
can be drawn for any other height.

Figure 1: Effect of height on sedimentation of a 3 per cent (by volume)

suspension of calcium carbonate
B. Concentration of Suspension

As already indicated, the higher the concentration, the lower is the rate of fall of
the sludge line because the greater is the upward velocity of the displaced fluid and the
steeper are the velocity gradients in the fluid. Typical curves for the sedimentation of a
suspension of precipitated calcium carbonate in water are shown in Figure 2, and in
Figure 5.4 the mass rate of sedimentation (kg/m2s) is plotted against the concentration.
This curve has a maximum value, corresponding to a volumetric concentration of about
2 per cent. EGOLF and MCCABE(9),WORK and KOHLER(10), and others have given
empirical expressions for the rate of sedimentation at the various stages, although these
are generally applicable over a narrow range of conditions and involve constants which
need to be determined experimentally for each suspension.

Figure 2: Effect of concentration on the sedimentation of

calcium carbonate suspensions.

Figure 3: Effect of concentration on mass rate of sedimentation of

calcium carbonate suspensions.
 The final consolidation of the sediment is the slowest part of the process because
the displaced fluid has to flow through the small spaces between the particles. As
consolidation occurs, the rate falls off because the resistance to the flow of liquid
progressively increases. The porosity of the sediment is smallest at the bottom because
the compressive force due to the weight of particles is greatest and because the lower
portion was formed at an earlier stage in the sedimentation process.

IV. DESCRIPTION OF APPARATUS

The apparatus we have deployed for the study of sedimentation is shown in fig 1.

Figure 4: Sedimentation Set-up

a. STOPPER– It is used to close the mouth of the sediment tube to avoid any accident in
case of mishandling.

Figure 5: Stopper
b. CLAMPS – Fixed with sediment apparatus are used to hold the glass tubes in a vertical
position.

Figure 6: Clamps
c. MEASURING SCALES – Graduated scale (cm) on each tube is used to observe the correct
position of the solid particles.

Figure 7: Graduated Scale

d. SAMPLE TUBE – It is the main part of the apparatus in which whole practical is carried
out. Made up of transparent plastic for quick observation.

Figure 8: Sample Tubes

e. STOPWATCH – It is of secondary importance, used for taking the readings with the
settling of particles.

Figure 9: Stopwatch
f. ANALYTICAL BALANCE – It is an instrument used for precise determining mass of
matter.

Figure 10: Analytical Balance

g. BEAKER – It is a common container in most labs that is used for mixing, stirring, and
heating chemicals. Most beakers have spouts on their rims to aid in pouring.

Figure 11: Beaker

h. MORTAR AND PESTLE – A mortar is a vessel in which substances are ground or crushed
with a pestle. A pestle is a tool used to crush, mash or grind materials in a mortar.

Figure 12: Mortar and Pestle

i. STIRRING ROD – It is a piece of laboratory equipment used to mix chemicals and liquids
for laboratory purposes.

Figure 13: Stirring Rod

 j. SPATULA – It is a hand-held tool used in laboratories for lifting, flipping, or spreading
substances.

Figure 14: Spatula

V. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

1. Select a suitable, well mixed powder such a chalk. Weigh out five separate quantities
to make up five equal volume of chalk in water called slurry of 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10%
and 12.5% concentration by weight.
2. Slurry should make up in a separate beaker and volume in each should be identical.
3. Stir slurry well in the preparation vessels and then fill each sedimentation tube in turn,
starting with the most concentrated.
4. The tubes should than remove from the retaining clips; cork should use to close off the
open ends. The tube should be well shaken to give consistent suspension.
5. The tubes should be replaced in the clips on the supporting frame, at the same interval
of time between mixing and testing. Reading of the interface should be noted.
6. In addition to noting the fall of the interface in each sedimentation tube at convenient
time intervals, the rise of the sludge interface at the bottom of the tube should be
recorded.

VI. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

VII. CONCLUSIONS

VIII. RECOMMENDATIONS

IX. REFERENCES
X. APPENDIX