Design of a sedimentation basin

Introduction
A sediment basin is a temporary pond built on a construction site to capture eroded or
disturbed soil that is washed off during rain storms, and protect the water quality of a nearby
water body e.g.: stream, river, lake, or bay. Sediment basins collect and detain runoff, to
allow suspended solids to settle. Sedimentation basins have different uses in different fields.
This may be due to them having similar properties but also have a lot of differences in the
design. With all these differences, it means there has to be a certain way to select which type
of tank to use. Within the basin, there are certain areas where a number of processes take
place which all lead to sedimentation.

SEDIMENTATION TANKS
Sedimentation Tanks are generally made up of reinforced concrete and may be rectangular or
circular in plan . The capacity and other dimension of the tank should be properly designed so
as to effect a fairly high percentage of removal of suspended particles . A plain sedimentation
tank under normal conditions may remove as much as 70 % of the suspended impurities
present in water . Long narrow rectangular tanks with horizontal flow are generally preferred
to the circular tanks with the horizontal radial or spiral flow . Storage reservoirs may also
serve as sedimentation basins but they cannot effect proper sedimentation because of factors
such as density currents , the turbulences caused by winds etc . and hence they cannot be
relied upon . Therefore , special basins are constructed to purify water by the process of
sedimentation .
Types of Sedimentation Tanks
Depending upon various factors sedimentation tanks are classified as follows:
1.Based on methods of operation
a. Fill and draw type tank

b. Continuous flow type tank

2. Based on shape
a. Circular tank

b. Rectangular tank

c. Hopper bottom tank

3.Based on location
a. Primary tank

b. Secondary tank

1. Types of Sedimentation Tanks based on Methods

of Operation

a. Fill and Draw Type Sedimentation Tank

This is sedimentation tank type where water from inlet is stored for some time (may be 24

hours). During this time, the suspended particles settle to the tank's bottom and after 24

hours, the water is discharged through outlet. The particles that have settled are then

removed. This procedure takes 6 to 12 hours to complete. In the case of a fill and draw type

sedimentation tank, one full sedimentation operation takes 30-40 hours.

b. Continuous Flow Type Sedimentation Tank

In this sedimentation tank type, flow occurs at all times at a very slow rate and that make
water not able to rest in this situation. Suspended particles settle to the bottom of the tank
during this flood. It is possible for the flow to be in either a horizontal or vertical direction.

2. Types of Sedimentation Tanks based on Shape

a. Circular tank
Circular tanks are best used for continuous vertical flow sedimentation tanks. Influent will be
sent through central pipe and radial flow takes place (flowing mainly along the radii rotation).
Mechanical sludge scrappers are used to collect the sludge, which is later passed through the
sludge pipe found at the bottom of the tank. Circular tanks are expensive to use as compared
to rectangular tanks. They, however, have high clarification efficiency.

b. Rectangular tank
Rectangular sedimentation tanks are the most preferred sedimentation tanks, thus they are
commonly used. Flow takes place in the horizontal direction that is length wise in rectangular
tanks. Sometimes baffle walls, used for controlling the flow of water and to increase
residence time are provided for rectangular tank. Maintaining rectangular sedimentation tanks
is very much cheap. They may be used in large capacity plants.
 c. Hopper bottom tank
In this tank, a deflector box is located at the top which deflects the influent coming from
central pipe to downwards. Sludge is collected at the bottom and it is disposed through sludge
pump.
 3. Types of Sedimentation Tanks based on Location

Primary Sedimentation Tank

Primary sedimentation tank is a normal sedimentation tank in which water is stored at rest for
some time and sludge collected at bottom and oily matter collected at top are removed. After
primary sedimentation process the wastewater is discharged into aerobic filter where
activated sludge process take place.

Secondary Sedimentation Tank

After activated sludge process the wastewater enters secondary sedimentation tank in which
suspended particles contains microbes are removed and are reflected towards aerobic filter to
maintain high microbe concentration in aerobic filter.
Functional zones
Sedimentation basins have for primary functional zone namely;
  Inlet zone; Region in which the flow is uniformly distributed over the cross
section such that, the flow through the settling zone follows a horizontal path
 Settling zone; settling occurs best in a state or period of inactivity or
dormancy.
 Outlet zone; liquid waste (effluent), is collected and discharge through outlet
weir.
 Sludge zone; for collection of sludge below tank

Factors to consider in selection of a basin

When selection of a basin is done, there are several factors one has to take into
consideration, below I shall discus them.

 The maximum drainage area a basin serves.

 The height of the embankment.
 The extent of the mechanical control devices provided with a basin
 Soil texture and soil types
 sludge removal device
 basin dimensions
 inlet and outlet arrangement
 depth and length of cross section
Application of settlers
 Settling tanks are used for separating solids and/or oil from another liquid. In the food
processing procedure, vegetables are crushed and placed inside a settling tank with
water. The oil floats at the top of the water and is then collected.
 In water and waste water treatment, a flocculent is added prior to settling to form
larger particles that settle out quickly. In a settling tank, the large particles leave the
water with a lower turbidity.
 Used in aquaculture to remove waste products after harvesting. These may be uneaten
feed, excreta, dead fish and pathogens.
 Used to treat waste water that comes from the mining industry. This helps the
biological life of the waters and reduces discoloration of the waters.
Conclusion
To sum it up, sedimentation basins are very useful in mainly industries. Their main
purpose is to easily get rid of unwanted material. This is done by letting the fluid settle at
the bottom and the unwanted material shall float on top. Without sedimentation basins, it
would be very hard to purify water, to separate solids from liquids and to remove dirt
( leaves, twigs and roots ) from water bodies.

References
 https://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/nps-sediment-basin_332133_7.pdf
 http://ecompendium.sswm.info/sanitation-technologies/settler
 https://theconstructor.org/environmental-engg/types-of-sedimentation-tank/14711/
 https://theconstructor.org/environmental-engg/types-of-sedimentation-tank/14711/