Experiment No.

2
Aim : To carry out the batch Sedimentation test and to plot the graph of height of interface
Vs time.
Chemicals & Apparatus : Water, 50g CaCo3, 1 measuring cylinder with scale for measuring
height, weighing balance, stop watch, stirrer.
Objective : To separate the suspended solids from liquid using the force of gravity and to
study their settling curve by plotting the height of interface of the solids and liquid with time.
Principle : Solid particles are deposited by gravity into the bottom of a liquid. The property
density of particles plays important role in the process of sedimentation. Sedimentation is the
tendency for particles in suspension to settle out of the fluid in which they are entrained, and
come to rest at the bottom. Different particles attain different settling velocities in the liquid
depending upon their densities.
Theory : The separation of solids from a suspension in a liquid by gravity settling is called
sedimentation. Sedimentation is one of the most widely used processes in the treatment of
water. The simplest method of removing the suspended impurities is by plain sedimentation.
The water is allowed to stand quiescent or move very slowly through basin until the
suspended impurities settle to the bottom and relatively clear water is drawn off from the top.
The degree of removal of suspended impurities depends upon the length of retention period,
the size of the suspended impurities and the temperature of water.
Free settling refers to the process wherein the fall of the particle in a gravitational
field through a stationary fluid is not affected by the walls of container and other particles. In
such cases, as the particle falls its velocity increases and will continue to increase until the
resisting force and accelerating force are equal. When this point is reached, the particles will
settle at a definite constant velocity during remainder of its fall. This ultimate constant
velocity is called terminal setting velocity. When the concentration of particles in suspension
is large, particles will be so close to each other that the surrounding particles will interfere
with the motion of other individual particles. This process is called hindered settling.
Different zones of varying concentration are formed. The layers present are channels through
which fluid rises upward and particles settle down. At this stage, The solid present in these
layers split out into the clear zone.
Procedure :
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

50g of CaCo3 was weighed on a weighing balance.

It was then poured in a measuring cylinder having a scale on it.
Then water was poured into it to fill the cylinder.
The solution is then stirred so as to get uniform slurry.
Readings of time were noted down as the height of the interface went down.

Application : Sedimentation is used in wastewater treatment plants. It is the primary

treatment given to the wastewater which removes dirt, sand, biological floc and other
suspended particles. It is also used in food industry and oil refineries. In industry,

sedimentation is used in the separation of powders into fractions and the isolation of various
products in chemical engineering.
Calculation Formula :
Settling Velocity =

Time required
Final Height Original height
reach theheight

Observation Table :
Height (cm)
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4.5
4.3
4.2
4.1
4
4

Time (s)
12
27
40
53
70
83
99
113
128
149
169
188
217
253
310
390
500
660
810
1080
1320
1500
1800
1914

Calculations :
Settling Velocity =

Time required
Final Height Original height
reach theheight

11 22
188

= 0.0585 cm/s

Result : Thus, we have carried out the sedimentation test and plot the graph of height of
interface Vs time. And we have found the value of settling velocity of the solids,
By Calculations : 0.058 cm/s
By Graph : 0.054 cm/s