Sedimentation

TYPES OF GRAVITATIONAL SETTLING PHENOMENON

(i) Discrete particle settling: Applicable for very low
concentration solids
• Particles settle as individual entities
• No interaction between particles
(ii) Flocculation settling: Applicable for dilute
suspension of particles that coalesce or
• flocculate
• By flocculation, particle size increases and terminal
velocity increases.
• Settling can be increased by addition of some
ballasting agent such as polymers.
 (iii) Hindered settling
For suspension of intermediate settling.
In this case, particles are such close together that the inter-particle force
due to
one hinders the settling of other particle.
The particles remain in fixed position with respect to each other and
particles
settles as a whole.
(iv) Compression settling
Case in which particles are in such high concentration that a whole
structure is
formed.
Compression takes place due to weight of whole mass which continuously
increases.
A clear water is formed above compression zone
 CLASSIFICATION OF SEDIMENTATION TANKS
• Grit chamber: For removal of sand, grits, etc.
• Plain sedimentation tank: For removal of
settleable solids.
• Chemical precipitation tank: for removal of very
fine suspended particles by adding coagulants,
etc
• Septic tanks: For doing sedimentation and sludge
digestion together in households
• Secondary settling tanks: After activated sludge
or trickling filter treatment systems.
 SCOUR VELOCITY
• Maximum horizontal velocity though the tank which
does not allows resuspension (scouring) of settled
particles. It is given as:

• Where, f is the Darcy–Weisbach friction factor (unit-

less) and its value varies in the range 0.02- 0.03;
• k is cohesion constant that depends upon the type of
material being scoured (unit-less). For sticky
interlocking matter k=0.6 whereas for ungrounded
sand k=0.4.
 Important point in design of sedimentation tank
• Assume t is the detention time for which a suspension is detained
in the settling tank having height H, length L and width W.
• Also assume, V is the horizontal velocity and ut is the terminal
H

settling velocity of the target particle.

• Now, Cross-sectional area of tank (Ac)=H×W
• Surface area of tank (A)=L×W
• If Q is the flow rate of wastewater into the tank,
•
• Since the target particle should not re-suspend during its flow
along the length of the tank, therefore, detention time

Also, the target particle should settle down before it reaches the
outlet, therefore,

Combining,
 This expression gives following important points:

• The terminal velocity should be ≥ surface loading of

the tank.
• Surface area is more important than the height of
the settling tank.
• Higher the surface area, higher will be the removal
efficiency and more will be the removal of finer
particles.
• All particles having settling velocity u ≥ v will be t o

completed removed.
• For particles having u < v , only u /v fraction will
t o t o

be removed.
 Analysis of Flocculent Settling
• Particles in relatively dilute concentration with smaller size
sometimes will not act as discrete particles (as the grit particles
behave in grit chamber) but these particles will coalesce during
sedimentation.
• As flocculation occurs, the size of the particle increases and it
settles faster.
• The magnitude of flocculation will depend upon the opportunity
for contact between the particles, which depends upon overflow
rate, temporal mean velocity gradient in the system (representing
mixing) and concentration and size of the particles.
• Although, settling rate of particle is independent of depth of
basin, the basin depth will decide liquid detention time in the
tank and sufficient depth should be provided for settling to
separate it from sludge settled zone.
 Analysis of Flocculent Settling
• The effect of these variables on settling can only be
determined by sedimentation tests, and classical laws of
sedimentation are not applicable, due to change in
characteristics of the particle during settling.
• Settling column is used to determine the settling
characteristics of the suspension of flocculent particles.
• A column with diameter of 15 cm and height of 3.0 m
can give satisfactory results, with 5 to 6 ports provided
over the height for sampling.
• The height of the tank should be ideally equal to side
water depth of the settling tank for proper results.
• The solution containing suspended solids should be
added in the column in such a way that uniform
distribution of solid particles occur from top to bottom.
• Settling should takes place under quiescent conditions.
• It is important to maintain uniform temperature
throughout the experimental column to avoid
convection currents.
• At various time intervals, samples are withdrawn from
the ports and analyzed for suspended solids. Percentage
removal of solids is calculated for each sample analyzed
and is plotted as a number (%) against time and depth.
• The curve of equal percentage removal is drawn
between the plotted points.
 The efficiency of the sedimentation tank, with
respect to suspended solids and BOD removal, is
affected by the following:
• Eddy currents formed by the inertia of incoming
fluid,
• Wind induced turbulence created at the water
surface of the uncovered tanks,
• Thermal convection currents,
• Cold or warm water causing the formation of
density currents that moves along the bottom of
the basin, and
• Thermal stratification in hot climates.
• Because of the above reasons the removal efficiency of the
tank and detention time has correlation R = t/(a+b.t), where
‘a’ and ‘b’ are empirical constants, ‘R’ is expected removal
efficiency, and ‘t’ is nominal detention time.
• To account for the non optimum conditions encountered in
the field, due to continuously wastewater coming in and
going out of the sedimentation tank, due to ripples formed
on the surface of the water because of wind action, etc., the
settling velocity (overflow rate) obtained from the column
studies are often multiplied by a factor of 0.65 to 0.85, and
the detention time is multiplied by a factor of 1.25 to 1.50.
• This will give adequate treatment efficiency in the field
conditions as obtained under laboratory test.
Example: 1
The settling test was performed in the settling column of height 2.5
m. Four numbers of ports were provided to the column at the height
of 0.5 m from bottom. Samples were collected from these ports at
every 30 min and the results obtained are plotted in the Figure 16.1.
Determine the overall removal of solids after 1.0 h of settling.
 Recommendation for Design of Primary Sedimentation Tank
• Primary sedimentation tanks can be circular or rectangular tanks
designed using average dry weather flow and checked for peak
flow condition.
• The numbers of tanks are determined by limitation of tank size.
• Two tanks in parallel are normally used to facilitate maintenance
of any tank.
• The diameter of circular tank may range from 3 to 60 m (up to 45
m typical) and it is governed by structural requirements of the
trusses which supports scrapper in case of mechanically cleaned
tank.
• Rectangular tank with length 90 m are in use, but usually length
more than 40 m is not preferred. Width of the tank is governed by
the size of the scrappers available for mechanically cleaned tank.
 …. Design of Primary Sedimentation Tank
• The depth of mechanically cleaned tank should be as shallow as possible,
with minimum 2.15 m.
• The average depth of the tank used in practice is about 3.5 m. In addition,
0.25 m for sludge zone and 0.3 to 0.5 m free board is provided.
• The floor of the tank is provided with slope 6 to 16 % (8 to 12 % typical)
for circular tank and 2 to 8% for rectangular tanks.
• The scrappers are attached to rotating arms in case of circular tanks and to
endless chain in case of rectangular tanks.
• These scrappers collect the solids in a central sump and the solids are
withdrawn regularly in circular tanks.
• In rectangular tanks, the solids are collected in the sludge hoppers at the
influent end, and are withdrawn at fixed time intervals. The scrapper
velocity of 0.6 to 1.2 m/min (0.9 m/min typical) is used in rectangular tank
and flight speed of 0.02 to 0.05 rpm (0.03 typical) is used in circular tank.
•Inlets for both rectangular and circular tanks are to be
designed to distribute the flow equally across the cross section.
• Scum removal arrangement is provided ahead of the effluent
weir in all the PST.
• The surface overflow rate of 40 m3/m2.d (in the range 35 to
50 m3/m2.d) is used for design at average flow.
•At peak flow the surface overflow rate of 80 to 120 m3/m2.d
could be used when this PST is followed by secondary
treatment.
•Lower surface settling rates are used when waste activated
sludge is also settled in the PST along with primary solids. In
this case the surface overflow rate of 24 to 32 m3/m2.d and 48
to 60 m3/m2.d are used for average and peak flow conditions,
respectively.
•The weir loading rate less than 185 m3/m.d is used
for designing effluent weir length (in the range 125 to
500 m3/m.d). Weir loading rate up to 300 m3/m.d is
acceptable under peak flow condition.
•Higher weir loading can be acceptable when primary
treatment is followed by secondary treatment .
•As such the weir loading rate has very less impact on
the overall performance of sewage treatment plant
when secondary treatment is provided after primary
treatment.
•The detention time in PST could be as low as 1 h to
maximum of 2.5 h. Providing detention time of 1.5 to
2.5 h at average flow is a common practice.
• To avoid resuspension (scouring) of settled particles,
horizontal velocities through the PST should be kept
sufficiently low. Following equation by Camp can be
used to calculate the critical velocity, Vc, which is the
horizontal velocity that will just produce scour (m/sec).

Where, beta = constant

= 0.04 for unigranular sand
= 0.06 for non-uniform sticky material
f = Darcy –Weisbach friction factor = 0.02 to 0.03
g = Gravity acceleration,
S = Specific gravity of the particle to be removed (1.2 to 1.6)
D = Diameter of the particle, m
For organic particle with size of 0.1 mm and specific gravity of 1.25 this
velocity will be about 0.063 m/sec.
Sedimentation tank
 Example
• Design the primary sedimentation tank to treat water with
average flow rate of 10 MLD and peak flow of 22.5 MLD.
Solution
Assume surface settling rate = 40 m3/m2.d
Therefore, the surface area of the tank = 10 x 106 / 40 x 103 = 250 m2
Check for peak flow condition: The SOR at peak flow = 22.5 x 103 /250 = 90
m3/m2.d
This is less than the recommended value at peak flow.
Assume width = 6.0 m
Therefore theoretical length = 250/6 = 41.66 > 40 m
Hence, provide two tanks in parallel
Total length of each tank = 41.66/2 + 2 (inlet)+2(outlet)=24.83say 24.85 m
Now,
Flow rate * detention time = depth*surface area = volume of tank
or Flow / Surface area = depth/detention time = Surface settling rate
• Provide detention time of 1.5 h

• Therefore, liquid depth required = 40 x 1.5 / 24 = 2.5 m

• Therefore, flow through velocity = (0.116 m3/sec) / (2 x 2.5 x 6)
• = 0.0039 m/sec < 1 cm/sec hence O.K.
• At peak flow, the flow through velocity = 22.5 x 103 /(2 x 6 x 2.5) = 750 m/d
= 0.0087 m/sec.
• (Horizontal velocity should be checked for non-scouring velocity i.e. less
than 0.06 m/sec.)
• Provide total depth = 2.5 + 0.5 (free board) + 0.25 (space for sludge) = 3.25
m
• Weir loading rate = 10 x 103 / 12 = 833.33 m3/m.day > 185 m3/m.day
• Length of weir required = 10 x 103 / 185 = 54.05 m
• Hence, provide about 27.1 m of weir length for each tank.
• This can be provided by two effluent collection channels across the width
at outlet end offering total 24.0 m and side weir of total 1.55 m on each
side.
Questions
1. Describe flocculant settling.
2. What is the purpose of providing primary sedimentation tank in
wastewater
treatment? What is the expected BOD and SS removal is primary
sedimentation tank?
3. What are the parameters which will govern performance of PSTs?
4. Describe design guidelines for primary sedimentation facilities.
5. Design circular and rectangular PST for treatment of 4 MLD of average
sewage flow
with peaking factor of 2.
Answer:
Q. 5. Assume surface settling rate = 40 m3/m2.d;
For rectangular tank: Width = 5 m, Length = 24.0 m, Liquid depth = 2.5 m two
tanks.
For circular tank: Provide 11.5 m diameter two tanks with side water depth of
2.5 m.
 Secondary Sedimentation
• The secondary sedimentation facility is provided after the
biological reactor to facilitate the sedimentation of the cells
produced during biological oxidation of organic matter.
• If these cells produced are not removed, complete
treatment will not be achieved as these cells will represent
about 30 to 60% of the organic matter present in untreated
wastewater in aerobic treatment.
• Depending on the type of reactor used fraction of these
settled cells is returned back to the reactor and remaining
cells are wasted as excess sludge for further treatment.
Analysis of hindered settling (Type 3)
• In systems that contain high concentration of suspended
solids, both hindered (zone) settling (type 3) and compression
settling usually occur in addition to discrete and flocculent
settling. The settling phenomenon that occurs when a
concentrated suspension, initially of uniform concentration
throughout, is placed in cylinder as shown.
• Due to high concentration of particles, the liquid tends to move up through the
interstices of contacting particles.
• As a result, the particles settle as a zone or ‘blanket’, maintaining the same
relative position with respect to each other. This is known as ‘hindered settling’.
• As the solids settle as a zone, a relatively clear layer of water is produced above
the particles in the settling region.
• The rate of settling in the hindered settling region is a function of concentration
of solids and their characteristics.
• As settling continues, a compressed layer of particles begins to form at the
bottom of the cylinder in the compression settling region.
• Thus in hindered settling region a gradation in solid concentration exists from
interface of settling region to that found in the compression settling region.
• Due to variability of nature of solids and concentration, settling test is necessary
to determine the settling characteristics. Two different approaches can be used
for conducting the laboratory test.
1. Single (batch) settling test, or
2. Solid flux method (based on series of tests at different suspended solids
concentration).
 Area Requirement Based on Single Batch Test Result
The final overflow rate selected for design of sedimentation tank is based on the
following:
 Area needed for clarification,
 Area needed for thickening,
 The rate of sludge withdrawal.

Since the area needed for the free settling region is less than the area required for
thickening, the rate of free settling is rarely the controlling factor. In case of
activated sludge process where light, fluffy floc particles may be present, it is
conceivable that the free or flocculent settling velocity of these particles could
control the design.
For a column of height = Ho, and uniform solid concentration = Co, the position of
interface as the time elapses is given in Figure. The rate at which interface
subsides is equal to slope of the curve at that point in time.
The area required for thickening
Where, A = Area required for sludge thickening, m2
Q = Flow rate in the tank, m3/sec
H = Initial height of interface in column, m
o

t = Time to reach desired underflow concentration, sec.

u

The critical concentration controlling the sludge handling capability of the tank occurs at
a height H2, where concentration is C2 (C2 is determined by extending tangent and
bisecting angle of intersection).
The time tu can be determined as follows (Metcalf and Eddy, 2003):
a. Construct a horizontal line at the depth ‘H ’ that corresponds to the
u

depth at which the solids are at the desired underflow concentration, ‘C ’.

u

The value of H can be determined as:

u

b. Construct a tangent to a settling curve at point C2.

c. Construct a vertical line from intersection of tangent and horizontal
line from ‘Hu’. This vertical line will determine ‘tu’. With this value
of ‘tu’ the area required for thickening is computed using relation,

The area required for clarification is then determined. The larger of the
two areas is the controlling value. Although ‘Cu’ in settling test will
occur at longer time, due to continuous withdrawal from the
bottom of tank this time may not reach in settling tank, hence ‘tu’
is worked out from tangent.
 Example
• Calculate the size of SST for ASP. In a settling cylinder of 2.0 m height the settling
test was performed, and the settling curve as shown in Figure 20.3 was obtained for
an activated sludge with initial solids concentration, Co = 4300 mg/L. Determine the
area to yield a thickened sludge concentration Cu of 20 g/L with an inflow of 500
m3/day. In addition, determine the solids loading in kg/m2.day and the overflow
rate in m3/m2.day.
Solution
 Design of secondary sedimentation tank
• The design guidelines for secondary sedimentation tank for different biological
processes as recommended by CPHEEO manual (1993) is presented in the Table

Weir loading rate for the secondary sedimentation tank is kept less than or equal to 185
m3/m.d. Other guidelines for the dimensions of the tank are similar to as described earlier
in primary sedimentation.
Example: 2
Design secondary sedimentation tank for treatment of 10 MLD effluent coming from
conventional ASP. The MLSS in aeration tank is 3000 mg/L and peak flow factor is 2.0
Solution
Adopt surface loading rate of 20 m3/m2.d at average flow.
Therefore surface area required = 10000/20 = 500 m2
Then surface overflow rate at peak flow = 20000/500 = 40 m3/m2.d (within 40
to 50)
Check for solid loading
At average flow solid loading rate = 10000 x 3/500 = 60 kg/m2.d
At peak flow solid loading rate = 20000 x 3/500 = 120 kg/m2.d (less than
permissible)
Diameter of the tank for 500 m2 area = 25.24 m
Provide detention time of 2 h, hence volume = 10000*2/24 = 833.33 m3
Hence depth of the tank = 833.33/500 = 1.67 m
Provide depth of 2.0 m + 0.3 m for sludge accumulation and 0.4 m free board.
Hence total
depth = 2.7 m
Check for weir loading
Weir loading = 10000/(π * D) = 126.18 m3/m.d, hence safe.
• Design secondary sedimentation tank for the industrial
effluent treatment plant employing completely mixed
ASP. The MLVSS in aeration tank is 3500 mg/L and
average annual wastewater flow rate is 500 m3/d.
However in summer the wastewater generation is 1.5
times the annual average. Consider MLVSS/MLSS =0.8.
• Answer:
Provide surface loading rate of 20 m3/m2.d at average
flow. Diameter 5.64 m and total depth = 2.7 m.