INDEX

• Introduction
• Types of sedimentation
1.Free sedimentation
2.Hindered sedimentation
• Concept of terminal falling velocity
• Rate of sedimentation
• Batch sedimentation

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 INTRODUCTION

• The separation of solids from a suspension in a liquid by

gravity settling is called sedimentation. The gravity force is
responsible for the motion of solid through the liquid. In this
operation, a dilute salary is separated into a clear liquid and a
salary of higher solids content.
• Ex. Removal of solids liquid sewage wastes and removal of
suspended impurities from water to be used for domestic and
industrial purposes.

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 INTRODUCTION

• Sedimentation is one of the most widely used processes in the

treatment of water. The simplest method of removing the
suspended impurities in by plain sedimentation. The water is
allowed to stand quiescent or move slowly through a basin
until the suspended impurities settle to the bottom of the basin
and relatively clear water is drawn off from the top.
• The degree of removal of suspended impurities depends upon
the length of relation period, the size of the suspended
impurities and the temperature of water.

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 TYPES OF SEDIMENTATION

• There are two types of sedimentation processes by which

particulates settle to the bottom of liquid.
1. Free sedimentation
2. Hindered sedimentation

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 FREE SEDIMENTATION

• It is the settling of the particles unaffected by the other

particles and the wall of the container.
• It refers to the process wherein the fall of the particle in the
gravitational field through a stationary fluid is not affected by
the other particles and the wall of the container.
• In this process, the individual particle does not collide with the
other particles or with the wall of the container. This requires
that the particles be at a sufficient distance from the wall of the
container and also from each other.
• This type of settling process is possible only if the
concentration of particulate solids in a suspension is very low.

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 HINDERED SEDIMENTATION
• It is the settling of the particle impeded/affected by the other
particles in the wall of the container.
• It refers to the process where in the form of the particle in the
gravitational field through a stationary fluid is affected by the
other particles and the wall of the container.
• In this process the particle collide with the other particles and
with the wall of the container. This requires that the particles
be close to each other and this is turn demand the
concentration of solids in a suspension to be high.
• Hindered settling is encountered when the concentration of
solids in a suspension is large.
• Hindered settling, the settling velocity is considerable less
than the terminal falling velocity under free settling condition. 6
CONCEPT OF TERMINAL FALLING VELOCITY

• If a particle is allowed to settle in a fluid under the influence of

gravity, it will increase in velocity until the accelerating force
is exactly balanced by the resisting force. When this happens
there is no further change in the particles velocity and the
particle will settle at definite constant velocity.This velocity is
known as the terminal falling or terminal settling velocity of
the particle.
• The terminal falling velocity of the particle is affected by size,
shape and density of the particles as well as the density and
velocity of the fluid.
• The terminal falling velocity of a particle freely falling in a
fluid is the velocity of the particle when the drag force equals
the downward force of gravity acting on the particle. 7
 RATE OF SEDIMENTATION

• A typical plot of interface height versus time is shown in

figure. During the early stage of settling the velocity is
constant, as shown by the first portion of the curve. When zone
B disappears, the rate of settling starts to decrease and steadily
drops until the ultimate height is reached.
• Slurry is very greatly in their settling rates and in the relative
heights of various zones during settling. The initial rate is a
function of the feed concentration, but in the late stages, the
settling rate also depends on the initial height Z, since
compression effects are more important with the thicker sludge
layers.

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 BATCH SEDIMENTATION

• These are several stages in the settling of a flocculated

suspension, and different zones are formed at sedimentation
process.
• The concentration of solids is high enough that sedimentation
of individual particles or flocs is hindered by other solids to
such an extent that all solids at a given level settle at a
common velocity.
• At first, the solid is uniformly distributed in the liquid, as
shown in figure(a). The total length of the suspension is Z.
• After a short time the solids have settled to a give a zone of
clear liquid, zone a in figure(b), and zone d of settled solids.
Above zone D is a transition layer, zone C, in which the solids
content varies from that in the original pulp to that in zone D. 9
 BATCH SEDIMENTATION

• In zone B, the concentration is uniform and equal to the

original concentration, since the settling rate is the same
throughout this zone. The boundaries between zones dand C
and between C and B may not be distinct, but the boundary
between zones A and B is usually sharp.
• As settling continues, the depths of zonea d and a increase.
The death of zone C remains nearly constant, and that of zone
B decreases. This is shown in figure(c). Eventually zone B
disappears, and all the solids are in zones C and D ( see
figure(d) )

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BATCH SEDIMENTATION

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 BATCH SEDIMENTATION
• The gradual accumulation of solid puts stress on the material
at the bottom, which compresses solids in layer D.
Compression breaks down the structure of the flocs or
aggregates, and liquid is expelled into the upper zones.
Sometimes liquid in the flocs spurts out of zone D as small
geysers as layer D compresses.
• Finally, when the weight of the solid is balanced by the
compressive strength of the flocs, the settling process stops, as
shown in figure(e).
• The entire process shown in figure is called sedimentation.

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THANK YOU

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