Settling and Floatation – Part 1

1. Settling and Floatation – Part 1

2. and Flotation Settling, Gravity separation is a physical water and wastewater treatment processes in which suspended and floating solids are removed from water by the force of gravity. Suspended and floating solids are either heavier than water or lighter than water and accordingly there are two gravity separation processes, sedimentation and flotation. Some fine solid particles with densities heavier than water get attached with air bubbles and are also removed by flotation. Settling or sedimentation is a unit operation in which solids are drawn toward a source of attraction.

8. Settling and Floatation In gravitational settling, solids are drawn toward gravity; in centrifugal settling, solids are drawn toward the sides of cyclones as a result of the centrifugal field; and in electric-field settling, as in electrostatic precipitators, solids are drawn to charge plates. Flotation is a unit operation in which solids are made to float to the surface on account of their adhering to minute bubbles of gases (air) that rises to the surface. On account of the solids adhering to the rising bubbles, they are separated out from the water. This chapter discusses these three types of unit operations as applied to the physical treatment of water and wastewater.

9. Settling or Sedimentation • Settling has been defined as a unit operation in which solids are drawn toward a source of attraction. The particular type of settling that will be discussed in this section is gravitational settling. It should be noted that settling is different from sedimentation, although some authors consider settling the same as sedimentation. • Strictly speaking, sedimentation refers to the condition whereby the solids are already at the bottom and in the process of sedimenting. Settling is not yet sedimenting, but the particles are falling down the water column in response to gravity. Of course, as soon as the solids reach the bottom, they begin sedimenting. In the physical treatment of water and wastewater, settling is normally carried out in settling or sedimentation basins. We will use these two terms interchangeably.

10. Settling Tanks, Basins, or Clarifiers Generally, two types of sedimentation basins (sometimes called also tanks, or clarifiers) are used: rectangular and circular. Rectangular settling, basins or clarifiers, as they are also called, are basins that are rectangular in plans and cross sections. In plan, the length may vary from two to four times the width. The length may also vary from ten to 20 times the depth. The depth of the basin may vary from 2 to 6 M. The influent is introduced at one end and allowed to flow through the length of the clarifier toward the other end.

11. Settling or Sedimentation Sedimentation or settling is a process in which water is collected in basins and given proper detention time during which suspended solids present in water is allowed to settle. Sedimentation is a process with low cost and low energy requirements, however, proper basin design is very important for proper operation and better efficiency. In specifying a water and wastewater sedimentation tank size, the major features to be considered are: - tank cross sectional area, - tank depth, - and type of cleaning mechanism used.

12. Settling or Sedimentation In specifying a design basis for water and wastewater sedimentation tanks; three conditions are commonly considered: - solid handling capacity (ton/day), - overflow rate (gpm/ft2), • and detention time. Additional design data required to ascertain mechanical construction, specific gravity of solids, size distribution of solids, underflow construction, operating temperature, and geographical location. Typical dimensions of sedimentation tanks are given in Table 1 bellow.

13. Table 1 Typical Dimensions of Sedimentation Tanks ______________________________________________________ Description Dimensions Range Typical ______________________________________________________ Rectangular Depth, m 3‑5 3.5 Length, m 15‑90 25‑40 Width, m 3‑24 6‑10 Circular Diameter, m 4‑60 12‑45 Depth, m 3‑5 4.5 Bottom Slope, mm/m 60‑160 80 ______________________________________________________

14. Shapes and Sizes of sedimentation Tanks Water and wastewater sedimentation tanks are mostly cylindrical or rectangular in shape (See Figures bellow). The ratio between width to length in rectangular sedimentation tanks is ranging between 1:4 to 1:6 (see Table in slide #5).

16. Classification of Suspended Particles تصنيف الحبيبات العالقة بالماء Suspended particles in water and wastewater have been categorized into three general classes: 1 ‑ Discrete particles الحبيبات المنفردة: Particles that will not readily flocculate, independent, settling rate is independent of concentration, and flow rate is critical (see Figure bellow‑class 1). Examples of discrete particles are sand, gravel washing, and silt. 2 ‑ Flocculent particles الحبيبات المتلبدة: Particles with relatively low concentration, possible aggloromation, and their settling is highly affected by detention time and flow rate(see Figure bellow‑class 2). 3 ‑ Hindered particles الحبيبات عالية التركيز أوالمضغوطة: Particles with high suspended concentrations (as in sludge thickening), their settling is affected by mixing and the duration of detention time (see Figure bellow‑class 3).

19. Types of Particle Settling • Type I settling , single or discrete particle, applies to particles that settle with constant velocity -- particles will be removed if v > vs • If particles flocculate during settling, velocity generally increases – Type II settling • As particle concentration increases with depth, zone settling occurs • At bottom of tank compression settling occurs

20. Types Of Sedimentation أنواع الترسيب Types of sedimentation are dictated by types of solids to be removed from water, therefore, for the three types of particles in aqueous suspensions , three separate mechanisms and theory of estimating settling velocities and removal rates better understanding of the process let us first define the different settling properties of.

21. Types of Particle Settling • Type I settling applies to particles that settle with constant velocity -- particles will be removed if v > vs • If particles flocculate during settling, velocity generally increases – Type II settling • As particle concentration increases with depth, zone settling occurs • At bottom of tank compression settling occurs

23. a. Discrete Particles Settling ترسيب الحبيبات المنفردة For discrete particles in aqueous suspensions and which have density greater than water, it will accelerate downward under the force of gravity until the resistance of the liquid equals the effective weight of the particle. According to its weight, shape, and specific weight or density, discrete particle is affected by the gravity, drag, and buoyancy force (see Figure bellow). Settling velocity for a discrete particle is approximately constant and its magnitude depend on shape, size, and density of the article, and density and viscosity of the liquid. The force balance on the particle; FG = FD + FB

24. Sedimentation:Particle Terminal Fall Velocity where νs= settling velocity ρs = density of particle (kg/m3) ρ = density of fluid (kg/m3) g = gravitational constant (m/s2) d = particle diameter (m) μ = dynamic viscosity (Pa·s)

25. Particle Terminal Fall Velocity (continued) Force balance (zero acceleration) We haven’t yet assumed a shape sphere Assume a _______

27. Drag Coefficient:Equations General Equation Laminar flow R < 1 Transitional flow 1 < R < 104 Fully turbulent flow R > 104

28. Sedimentation of Small Particles? • How could we increase the sedimentation rate of small particles? Increase d (stick particles together) Increase g (centrifuge) Increase density difference (dissolved air flotation) Decrease viscosity (increase temperature)

29. Graphical Solution to Settling Velocity

36. Overflow Rate, Qovr = Q/A Q Area A

37. Solids Loading Rate, SLR = (Q*C)/A Q * C Area A

42. vl vs h vl vs l

43. vl vs h vl vs l Rectangular clarifiers In horizontal tank some percentage of particles with vs < vo will be removed P = 100 (vs/vo) = percentage of particles removed with a settling velocity of vs in a rectangular sedimentation basin designed with an overflow rate of vo

46. Removal Efficiency

49. Example (1)