CVL100:Environmental Science(2-0-0)

(Tuesday and Wednesday; Friday slot reserved for extra class)

Water Treatment Processes(Sedimentation)

Wk 3 Lec6: Jan 19,2022)

Prof. Arun Kumar

(arunku@civil.iitd.ac.in)
Objective: To introduce concepts of water treatment using
sedimentation

1
 0.45 micrometer (size
Solids Removal cutoff between dissolved
Sizes of Particles in Water and suspended solids)

0.45
micrometer
 Method 1.Sedimentation

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Method 1.Sedimentation
 Method1. Sedimentation
• Solids settle based on their gravitational force (with and
without externally added chemicals).
• Settling depends on solid physical characteristics
(diameter, density) and medium temperature, viscosity,
density, etc.

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 Discrete vs. flocculant particles

• Some solids do not interact with each other during

settling (i.e., discrete particles) (no change in their size
and shape). The settling is called discrete settling (Type
1 settling). Ex: settling of sand.

• Some solids interact during their settling and change

their size and shape (i.e., flocculent particles) (Type 2
settling). Ex: settling of clay; bacteria.

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 Discrete particles Flocculent particles

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 Type 1 settling for discrete particles

Fb=buoyancy force
Fdrag= drag force
Fg=gravity force

Cd=drag coefficient
=function of Reynolds’ number

v=particle settling velocity at

steady state (when net force =0)

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 Vp/Ap=((4/3*3.14*r3)/(3.14*r2))=4/3*r=2/3*dp

Remember this general

equation

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Shape factor = 1 (for spherical particles)
For others it will be given. This is for accounting for non-spherical particles

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Put Cd=24/Re and we will get this equation

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Steps for calculating settling velocity of particles in liquid
medium (type 1 settling patten)

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 Sedimentation
• Time for settling = column depth/settling velocity at
steady state
• Some particles take less time and some particles take
longer time to settling.

• if t_design>t_settling, particles remove 100%. All

particles now constitute to solid waste.

• if t_design<t_settling, particles do not remove 100%.

Remaining particles go to next unit in treatment plant
scheme.

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 Example
Q1. Determine the settling velocity of a spherical particle
with diameter of 200 micronmeter and a specific gravity of
2.3 in water at 25degC? Comment on settling behaviour of
this type of particles.
[8+2=10 points]

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 First trial (assume laminar flow)

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Second trial using calculated drag coefficient
values

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3rd trial using calculated settling velocity

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4th trial using calculated settling velocity

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5th trial using calculated settling velocity

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 Additional Example questions
Q2. Determine the settling velocity of a spherical particle with
diameter of 100 micron and a specific gravity of 2.3 in water (i.e.,
gravity of particles/gravity of water) at 25degC?

Q3. Define following: (i) Type 1 suspension; (ii) flocculating

particles (iii) dilute suspensions, and (iv) concentrated
suspensions.

Q4. What is the basic difference between settling of inert

suspended particles and biological solids (i.e., biomass)? How
would the settling pattern change if I have a sample with 100
mg/L inert suspended particles and 800 mg/L biological
solids?(hint: biological particles will settle as type 2 particles)

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