PARTICLE TECHNOLOGY TUTORIAL 7 DR M AZIZ

SEDIMENTATION

Question 1:

A thickener is fed a feed of slurry that has a density of 1100 kg.m -3. It will be necessary to develop an
under flow that has a density of 1400 kg.m -3. The density of the solid is 2700 kg.m -3 and the volumetric
flow rate is 1 m3 per second. What should the minimum cross-sectional area of the thickener be to
achieve this underflow? Attempt with both design equations.

The following sedimentation function which relates concentration to Rate of sedimentation was
achieved in the Laboratory;

0.0312 – 0.0216(conc) + 0.0108 (conc)2 = rate of sedimentation (mm/s)

where : concentration of solids (kg water/ kg solids) not to be mixed up with C

answer : 10823 m2 at a density of 1250kg.m -3 (15)

Question 2:

Determine the minimum cross sectional area of a thickener required to achieve the following;

Solids feed rate 2 kg per second

Feed slurry density RD 1.336
Feed percent solids by mass 40 %
Clarified water discharged 2 kg per second

Settling rates of the system determined in the laboratory

Concentration (kg water/kg solid)

1.5 1.2 1.0 0.8 0.5

Rate of sedimentation (m/s)

0.0002 0.00012 0.000094 0.000070 0.000050 (15)

LECTURER: DR M AZIZ