Water Treatment

Module: 6

Muhammad Farhan Arooj

TYPES OF TREATMENT METHODS

i. Physical unit operations: Screens, Mixing,

Sedimentation, filtration

ii. Chemical unit processes : Coagulation (pH),

Aeration, Adsorption, Disinfection

iii. Biological unit processes : Activated sludge,

Aerated lagoons (aerobic, anaerobic)
 WATER TREATMENT (Objectives)
• Public health protection-pathogens & heavy metal
removal (As, Cr)
• Aesthetics-taste , odor, turbidity & colour
• Economics-softening of hard water
• Industrial use-boiler feed, dying (Fe, Mn)
pharmaceuticals, cooling water
• Others-swimming pool (pH, Cl2), corrosion (pH)
Chemicals (Silicates), biofouling
 TREATMENT METHODS
• Coagulation - Flocculation
• Storage & plain sedimentation
• Filtration
• Disinfection
• Aeration (Fe, Mn removal)
• Use of Activated Carbon (taste, odour removal)
• Chemical methods (Water softening)
• Advanced treatments (Reverse osmosis, Ion
exchange, Ozonation)
 CONVENTIONAL SURFACE
WATER TREATMENT
Raw water

Screening Filtration

sludge sludge
Alum
Coagulation Cl2 Disinfection
Polymers

Flocculation Storage

Sedimentation Distribution
sludge
 SCREENING

• Removes large solids

– logs
– branches
– rags
– fish
• Simple process
– may incorporate a mechanized trash
removal system
• Protects pumps and pipes in WTP
 COAGULATION
• Aggregation of small particles using chemicals to
increase their size hence SETTLING VELOCITY
• Physio-chemical process whereby particles are
destabilized
• Colloid particles (0.01-1μm)

Why Colloidal Particles do not settle

1. Large ratio of surface area to volume
1cm Vol = 1 cm3 S.A = 6 cm2 S.A/Vol = 6

0.1mm
Vol = 1×10-6 cm3 S.A = 6×10-4 cm2 S.A/Vol = 600
2. Surface charge
 COAGULATION
(1) Coagulation
Destabilize the particle by neutralizing the –ve
charge
(2) Flocculation
Use some technique to increase particle size
so that settlement under gravity can take place.
Coagulant pH range Common use

Alum Al2(SO4)3 4.0-7.0 Muncipal water supplies

Ferrous sulphate >8.5 Industrial water

Ferric chloride 3.6-6.5>8.5 Industrial water

Ferric sulphate 3.5-7 >9 Industrial water

 COAGULATION CHEMISTRY
(1) Alum Al2(SO4)3.18H2O dissociate in water to form Al+3 ion and
SO4-2 ions.
Al2(SO4)3 . 18 H2O 2Al+3 + 3SO4-2
(2) Al+3 ions combine with negatively charged collides to reduce
their –ve charge.
(3) Hydrolysis of Alum result in formation of a GEL LIKE
Al(OH)3 , which may develop +ve charge by absorbing +ve
ions from the solution i.e H+ ions.
Al2(SO4)3.18H2O + 6 H2O 2Al(OH)3 + 3SO4-2 + 18H2O+6H+
(4) Gel like Al(OH)3 adsorb SO4-2 and colloids from the solution
and is precipitated out.
 USE OF LIME

• Hydrolysis of alum produces H+ (pH drop)

• Stops rapid formation of Al(OH)3
• Natural alkalinity acts as buffer

Al2(SO4)3.18H2O + 3Ca(HCO3)2 →2Al(OH)3 + 3CaSO4 + 18H2O+ 6CO2

Al2(SO4)3.18H2O + 3Ca(OH)2 →2Al(OH)3 + 3CaSO4 + 18H2O

For each 1mg/l of alum, 0.5mg/l of alkalinity are required

 COAGULATION-FLOCCULATION UNIT
Qc (coagulant dose)

For water

Destabilization in Flocculation
rapid mix unit
 VELOCITY GRADIENT “G”

• G is defined as the slope of relative velocity between

fluid elements OR rate of change of fluid velocity
normal to the direction of velocity
• G is a measure of INTENSITY OF MIXING

• Flocculation results from the velocity differences in

the water which causes contact between the moving
floc masses. Velocity differences also cause
SHEARING STRESSES along planes in the water.
COAGULATION THROUGH FLASH
MIXER
• Coagulation done by FLASH MIXING
• RAPID MIXING of coagulant to give good
distribution of the chemical (require a high degree of
turbulance and power dissipation) methods used for
flash mixing.
1. Hydraulic jump
2. Paddle Mixers / Blower’s Mixing
Detention time 10-20 seconds
Speed of Rotation 150 to 1500 rpm
Power Required 2 to 5 kW per m3/min.
Velocity Gradient: 300 - 500 sec-1
 FLOCCULATION TANK

• Slow mixing process

• Bring destabilized particles in contact to form flocs
• circular tanks with paddles on vertical shaft
• rectangular tanks with paddles revolving on
horizontal shaft
• Area of paddle=10-20% vertical X-sectional area of
tank

Detention time: 20-60 minutes

Paddle speed: 20-30 rpm
Velocity Gradient: 25- 65 sec-1
Some typical flocculation basins are shown here:
 BAFFLED FLOCCULATORS

5/6/2018 water treatment 17

BAFFLED FLOCCULATORS:
SIMPLE TECHNOLOGY

5/6/2018 water treatment 18

 DESIGN OF FLOCCULATORS

• The design of FLOCCULATORS is generally

based upon G
P
G
• Where V

G= Velocity Gradient, sec-1

P= Power Input, Kgm2/sec3 (Watts)
= absolute viscosity, kg/m.sec
V= volume of tank, m3
 DESIGN OF FLOCCULATORS

For Rotating Paddles

Cd V 3 A
P
2
Where
Cd = Drag co-efficient 1.8 to 1.5 for paddles.
A = Total area of paddles, m2
ρ = Mass density of fluid, Kg/m3
V = Relative velocity or velocity differential of paddles in water,
usually about 0.7 – 0.75 – 0.8 of paddle tip speed, m/sec
Velocity = 2πrn (r = distance of centre line of the shaft from
paddle; n = revolution of paddle/second)
 DESIGN OF FLOCCULATORS:

For baffled flocculators

G= g H
 td

Where
ν = kinematic viscosity, m2/sec
td = detention time in the flocculator, sec
H = Head losses in flocculator, m
g = acceleration due to gravity, m/sec2
Problem No. 1:

Determine the theoretical power requirement to achieve a

G value of 50 sec-1 in a tank with volume of 2800 m3.
Assume  as 1.07x10-3 N-sec/m2 at 20ºC.
Problem 2

A 0.6 kw mixer unit is used to mix chemicals in a water flow

of 70 L/sec.
The detention time in the tank is 20 seconds.
The water temp is 18oC and  = 1.06x10-3 N-sec/m2.
Calculate the velocity gradient G.
Problem 3
Calculate the velocity gradient in a baffled flocculator
having a head loss
of 0.5 m and a detention time of 30 min.
The water temp in 20 oC and
Ʋ = 1.004x10-6 m2/sec.
Problem 4:
A flocculator designed to treat 76,000 m3/d of water, is 30 m
long, 12.5 m wide and 5.5m deep. It is equipped with 12m long
and 0.3m wide paddles moved by four horizontal shafts which
rotate at a speed of 2.5 rpm. Two paddles are mounted on
each shaft, one opposite to other and centerline of the paddle
is 2m from the shaft. If the mean velocity of water is 3/4th of the
velocity of the paddles and the drag co-efficient is 1.8, find
• Power Input
• Velocity Gradient
• Detention time
Take  = 1.3097x10-3 N-sec/m2
 Jar Test:

• Take Coagulant dosages of various Concentration.

• Mix it rapidly from 80 – 100 rpm

• Mix it gently 60 rpm, 40 rpm and 20 rpm

• Let it settle for 30 min.

• Take the supernatant.

• Check the pH.

Sedimentation
 INTRODUCTION

• Sedimentation, or clarification, is the process of letting

suspended material settle by gravity (sP>1) at low velocity.

• Suspended material (clay or silts) or flocs created from

material in the water and the chemical used in coagulation
or in other treatment processes.

1. Sedimentation under gravity (Plain sedimentation)

2. Sedimentation under use of coagulants (rapid

sedimentation)
 Sedimentation: Effect of the particle
concentration
• Dilute suspensions
– Particles act independently
– No increase in size & shape
– Settle with constant velocity (discrete settling)

• Concentrated suspensions (floccuant

settling)
– Particle-particle interactions are significant
– Particles may collide and stick together (form
flocs) settling quickly
– At very high concentrations particle-particle
forces may prevent further consolidation
Comparison of Type I and II sedimentation
Stokes law :  Spherical Particle dia <0.1mm
 laminar flow with RN ≤1

gd     gd s  s  gd s  1
2 2 2

V  S f
 S f p

18 18 18

S

Vs = Settling velocity, cm/sec

g = Acceleration due to gravity, cm/sec2
μ = Absolute viscosity, g/cm.sec (100 centipoise)
ρs = particle density of fluid, gm/cm3
ρ = Density of fluid. gm/cm3
d = Dia of particle, cm
 kinematic viscosity (cm2/sec-100 centistoke)
sS =specific gravity of particle
s=specific gravity of water
 Sedimentation of Small Particles?
• How could we increase the sedimentation rate
of small particles?
Increase d (stick particles together)

d g  p   w 
Increase g (centrifuge)
2

Vt 
Increase density difference
(dissolved air flotation)

18 Decrease viscosity (increase

temperature)
 SEDIMENTATION BASIN ZONES
Settling zone

Outlet zone
Influent with Clarified effluent

Inlet zone
suspended load

Sludge zone

Sludge out
Inlet zone
• The inlet or influent zone should provide a smooth transition
from the influent flow and should distribute the flow
uniformly across the inlet to the tank.
• The normal design includes baffles that gently spread the flow
across the total inlet of the tank and prevent short circuiting
in the tank.
• The baffle could include a wall across the inlet, perforated
with holes across the width of the tank.
 SEDIMENTATION BASIN ZONES

• Basin inlets should be designed to minimize high flow

velocities near the bottom of the tank.
• If high flow velocities are allowed to enter the sludge
zone, the sludge could be swept up and out of the
tank.
• Sludge is removed for further treatment from the
sludge zone by scraper or vacuum devices which
move along the bottom.
 SEDIMENTATION BASIN ZONES

Settling Zone
• The settling zone is the largest portion of the
sedimentation basin.
• This zone provides the calm area necessary for the
suspended particles to settle.

Sludge Zone
• The sludge zone, located at the bottom of the tank,
provides a storage area for the sludge before it is
removed for additional treatment or disposal.
 SEDIMENTATION BASIN ZONES
Outlet Zone
• The basin outlet zone should provide a smooth transition
from the sedimentation zone to the outlet from the tank.
• This area of the tank also controls the depth of water in the
basin.
• Weirs set at the end of the tank control the overflow rate and
prevent the solids from rising to the weirs and leaving the
tank before they settle out.

Detention time
Theoretical time for which particle will stay in sedimentation tank
td=volume of tank/inflow rate=V/Q
Specified on basis of average flow rate
Actual time =flow through time
 Ideal settling tank characteristics
1. Flow direction horizontal
2. Flow velocity uniform in all parts of settling zone
3. Particle is removed as it touches bottom of settling zone

L=length of settling zone W

D=depth of settling zone
W=width of settling zone
Q VW D
Vs=settling velocity of particle VS
Vw=horizontal velocity of water
Q=inflow to tank
V=volume of tank
As=surface area of tank L

Settling time ts=D/Vs ; detention time=td=L/Vw where Vw=Q/D.W

To get desired settling with most efficient tank size we want ts=td
occurs when td=L/Vw= ts=D/Vs ;Vs/Vw=D/L
►Vs=(Vw.D.W)/(L.W)
Vs=Q/As=overflow rate…………(eq.1)
Also Vs=Q.D/As.D=D/(As.D/Q)=D/(V/Q)
=D/td=depth/detention time……...(eq.2)
 Design Criteria
Sedimentation Tank

Min. # of tanks Two

Water depth 3-5m (2m or deep tanks 6.5m also used)
Detention time 2~8hrs
Overflow rate 20~33m3/m2/day
weir loading rate ≤250m3/m/day
Sludge storage 20% extra volume required
 Design Criteria Rectangular Sedimentation Tank

Length 30m
Width 10m(13m max)
L:W ≤ 4:1(2:1 generally )
Bottom slope 1-2%(w/o scrapers)

Design Criteria circular Sedimentation Tank

Dia 30m(max)
Depth 3-5m
Bottom slope 8%(hopper bottom + scrapers)
RECTANGULAR BASINS
 Circular Clarifiers
Peripheral Feed
Clarifier

Center Feed Clarifier

Overflow Weir Configuration
 Problem questions
Q1.Calculate the settling velocity of a sand particle
0.1 mm in size at 10OC. SS=2.65, ν=1.3097 centi
Stokes
Q 2.Design a sedimentation tank to treat a flow of
25000m3/day; Surface Overflow rate
(SOR)=25m/day; D.t = 2 hrs; sludge storage
capacity 20% of effective volume.
Under ideal conditions what particle size will be
removed if ν = 1.2 centi Stokes; SS=2.65
Q 3.Design a sedimentation tank to serve a
population of 15,000 persons with an
average water consumption of 350 lpcd.