DEBRE MARKOS UNIVERSITY

DEBRE MARKOS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF HYDRAULIC AND WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING

WATER TREATMENT

By

Abayneh A.

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 Introduction…
 Water quality: three ch-cs of water with respect to its suitability for
a particular purpose
Impurities

Physical Chemical Biological

Non-
Gasses Liquids Solids Organic Inorganic Pathogenic
pathogenic

Floating settleable Colloidal Dissolved

Easy to remove Difficult to remove

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 Introduction…
 Water treatment: describes those processes used to make water
more acceptable for a desired end-use.
 Water purification: removal of contaminants from untreated water to
produce drinking water that is pure enough for its intended use.

 Objectives of Treatment:
 To protect the consumer's health (bacteriological safe)
 To make it acceptable by the consumers (aesthetic: sight, taste, odor
and color)
 Economical reasons: for preventing scaling and corrosion in pipe
lines & staining cloths during laundering.

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 Introduction…
 Water quality standard: Determine the quality of drinking water in the
context of prevailing environmental, social, economic and cultural
conditions
Water quality standards

Physical standards Chemical standards

Biological standards

 Suspended solids  PH - (6.5-8.5)

 Dissolved solids  Ca - (75mg/L)
 Mg - (50mg/L)  TC- ( 0 cfu/100ml
 Color  Fe - ( 0.3 mg/L)
 Mn  Fc –(0cfu/100ml)
 Taste
 PO4 –(0.5 mg/l)
 Odor  NO3 – (50 mg/l)
 Turbidity –(5 NTU)  NH3 – (1.5 mg/l)
 TDS – (1000 mg /l)
 Total solids  EC – (300 mg/l)
 Cl 2
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 Introduction…
 Water quality and health
 It is closely related to human health through exposure.
 People are exposed to water in many different ways,
depending on their:
 Location
 Livelihood
 Culture
 Wealth, gender etc.

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 Introduction…
 The most common exposure ways can be summarized as:
o Drinking, bathing, ingestion during domestic use,
o Eating irrigated vegetables, rice or aquatic plants
o Eating contaminated fish and skin contact.
 These exposure pathways highlight that the quality of ground water,
surface water and coastal waters is relevant to human health.

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 Conventional water treatment processes

Intake Screening Aeration

Chemical mixing
Flocculation Plain-sedimentation
and coagulation

post-sedimentation PH adjustment Filtration

Sequence of basic
treatment Distribution Disinfection
units(surface water)

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 Conventional water treatment processes
o Water treatment plants utilize many treatment processes to produce
water of a desired quality.
o These processes fall into two broad divisions:-
i. Unit operations:
 Removal of contaminants is achieved by physical forces such as
gravity and screening.
ii. Unit processes:
 Removal of contaminants is achieved by chemical and biological
reactions

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 Conventional water treatment processes…
 Choice of treatment process depends on:
o Quality of raw water:
 Water source
 Design Period (year)

o Required quality o f treated water- end use

o Economic resources available for operation & maintenance

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 Water treatment processes
# 1. Screens
 Purpose of this unit:

 Removal of coarse solids

 pieces of woods,
 plastics,
 papers,
 leaves, roots
 glass

 Protection of pump, valves, pipe lines, impellers

 To lighten the load on subsequent treatment processes by the removal of
suspended matter

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 Water treatment processes
 Classification based on:
 Opening size:
 Coare or bar screen - 15 and 40 mm opening
 Medium screen,
 Fine or mesh screen - < = 15 mm opening (located behind Coarse/Bar Screening)

 Configuration:
• Bar screens,
• Mesh screens

 Cleaning Method:
 Manual,
 Mechanical,

 Screen surface:
 Fixed, Moving Fig. Mesh screen
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 Screens
 Mostly bars are kept inclined to clean easily with a rake
o Angle of inclination of bars:
 60 - 75° if screening is very small
 30 - 45° if larger amount is retained over the screen bar

 Does not change the chemical or bacteriological quality of the water.

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 Screens
 Flow velocity should be low towards the screen bar (0.1 - 0.2m/s).
 It may be increased to 0.3 - 0.5m/s after the screen to prevent settling
b/n the openings,
 The velocity mostly restricted up to 1m/s to avoid forcing through the
Right side of
suspended solids approach channel

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 Design of the bar screen channel (Approach Channel)
 Design parameters
 should be straight for at least 0.6 meter ahead of the screen to produce
uniform flow through the screen
 Va should be at least 0.46 m/s to prevent precipitation of debris
 Vb should be less than 0.62 m/s at design flow
 Vb should be not more than 0.91 m/s at maximum flow
 two screens should be provided (one stand-by screen)
 Stop-gates slots are provided ahead and behind screens for maintenance
reasons

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 Screens
# 1. Head loss through coarse screen

1 𝑉22 −𝑉12
ℎ𝐿 = *
𝑐 2𝑔

Where:
c = empirical discharge coefficient to account for turbulence and eddy motion
= 0.7 for clean bar
= 0.6 for clogged bar screen
V2 = velocity of flow through openings or bar screen
V1 = approaching velocity of upstream channel

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 Screens
# 2. Head loss through fine screen

1 𝑄 2
ℎ𝐿 =
c = 0.6
*
𝑐(2𝑔) 𝐴 Q = discharge (m3 /s)
A = effective opening area of the screen

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 Sedimentation - Introduction
o is a treatment process at which suspended particles ( flocs, sand and
clay) are re-moved from water by gravity.
 It is the process of removing solid particles heavier than water by
gravity force.
o Occurs because of the d/ce in density b/n suspended particles and water.

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 Sedimentation-Introduction
 Geometry of sedimentation tank:
o Sedimentation tanks are either:

 Rectangular
 Circular

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 Sedimentation-Introduction
 Theoretical background on Sedimentation
o Types of particles :
a. Discrete / individual particle
 Size, velocity constant during the settling
 Density 2,000 – 2,200 kg/m3

b. Flocculent particles
 Size, velocity fluctuates during the settling
 Particles flocculate and grow bigger in size
 Density 1,030 – 1,070 kg/m3

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 Sedimentation-Introduction
Three classes of particles settling:

Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 or zone

 Particles settle discretely  Flocculate during

at a constant velocity sedimentation o Settle as mass and form a

 Settle as individual
particles and do not
flocculate.
 Eg. Sand, grit material
 Concentration - very low
Occurs during:
 Pre‐sedimentation for sand
removal
 Settling of sand during rapid
sand filter cleaning
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 Size constantly changing
 Settling velocity is
changing
 Settling velocity increase
with depth and extent of
flocculation.
 Concentration : low
Occurs during:
 Alum or iron coagulation
layer – blanket
o Concentration high ( > 1000
mg/L)
o Distinct clear zone and
sludge zone are present.
o Occurs during :
• Lime‐softening sedimentation
• Sludge thickeners in water
treatment.
20
 Sedimentation-Introduction

Factors influencing sedimentation process

Density Size Temperature Turbulence

Bottom
scour Flocculation Stability

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 Sedimentation - Introduction
Factors Definitions

Density the greater the density of the particles, the faster the particles
settle
Size the larger the particles are, the faster they settle

Temperature the lower the temperature of the water is, the higher the viscosity,
so the slower the particles settle
Turbulence the more turbulent the flow is, the slower the particles settle

Stability instability can result in a short-circuit flow, influencing the settling

of particles
Bottom scour during bottom scour, settled particles are re-suspended and
washed out with the effluent
Flocculation flocculation results in larger particles, increasing the settling
velocity

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 Sedimentation- Introduction
 Applications in water treatment plant:
 Settling of coagulated and flocculated waters prior to filtration
 Settling of coagulated and flocculated waters in a softening plant

 Settling of treated waters in an iron and manganese removal plant

 Suspended solids removal in plain sedimentation tank

o Plain sedimentation: the process of removing solid particles heavier

than water by gravity force without any chemical addition.
 It comes next to aeration tank

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 Sedimentation
o Post-sedimentation: is a treatment process in which suspended particles(
flocs) are re-moved from water by gravity force.
 It comes next to the coagulation and flocculation unit
Inlet outlet
zone zone

𝑉𝑠

Sedimen
tation
zone
𝑉𝑠

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 Sedimentation
sedimentation basin zones

# 2. Settling # 3. Sludge # 4. Outlet zone

# 1. Inlet zone
zone zone

# 1. Inlet Zone
 Distribute flow uniformly across the inlet to the tank.
 Consists of baffles that gently spread the flow across the total inlet of the tank
and prevent short circuiting in the tank.
 Short circuiting: is a situation in which part of the influent water exits the tank
too quickly, by flowing across the top or along the bottom of the tank.
 The baffle is sometimes designed as a wall across the inlet with holes
perforated across the width of the tank.

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 Sedimentation
# 2. Settling Zone
 is the largest portion of the sedimentation basin
 provides the calm area necessary for the suspended particles to settle

# 3. Sludge zone
 Located at the bottom of the tank, and provides a storage area for
sludge before it is removed for additional treatment or disposal.
 Basin inlets should be designed to minimize high flow velocities
near the bottom of the tank.

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 Sedimentation
 If high flow velocities are allowed to enter the sludge zone, the sludge
could be swept up and out of the tank.
 Sludge is removed for further treatment from the sludge zone by scraper
or vacuum devices which move along the bottom.
# 3. Outlet Zone
 provide a smooth transition from the sedimentation zone to the outlet
from the tank.
 This area of the tank also controls the depth of water in the basin.
 Weirs set at the end of the tank to control overflow rate and prevent the
solids from rising to the weirs and leaving the tank before they settle out.

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 Sedimentation
 The tank needs enough weir length to control the overflow rate

Fig. Overflow weir for effluent discharge

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 Sedimentation
 Particle-fluid separation processes are difficult to describe by theoretical
analysis only, mainly because the particles involved are not regular in
shape, density or size.
 Regimes in settling of particles:
o Type I: Discrete particle settling
o Type II: Flocculent settling
o Type III: Hindered (zone) settling
o Type IV: Compression settling

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 Type I - Discrete particle settling
Settling of discrete particles in low concentration
 Negligible flocculation and inter-particle effects
 Particles settle at constant settling velocity
They settle as individual particles and do not flocculate during settling
 Examples: Settling of sand, grit material
 Applications:
 plain sedimentation for sand removal prior to coagulation

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 Type II - Flocculant settling
 Settling of flocculent particles in a dilute suspension.
As coalescence occurs, particle masses increases and particles
settle more rapidly.
Particles flocculate during sedimentation.
 These types of particles can occur in alum or iron coagulation.

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 Type III - Hindered (zone) settling
o Settling in which particle concentration causes interparticle effects.
o Flocculation and rate of settling is a function of particle concentration.
o Particles remain in a fixed position relative to each other, and all settle at
a constant velocity
o Mass of particles settle as a zone

o Zones of d/t particle concentrations (different layers) may develop as a

result of particles with d/t settling velocities
o State of compression is reached at the bottom.

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 Type IV - Compression settling
o Settling of particles that are in high concentration of solids (sludge's)
o The particles touch each other and settling can occur only by
compression of the compacting mass.
o Occurs at lower depths of the sedimentation tanks
o Rate of compression is dependent on time and the force caused by the
weight of solids above the compression layer.
o Both discrete and flocculant particles may settle by zone and/or
compression settling

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 Type 1 – Discrete Settling
 If a particle is suspended in water , it initially has 2 forces acting upon
it.
a. The forces of gravity

𝐹𝑔 = 𝑃𝑝 g∀𝑝 𝐹𝑔 = 𝛾𝑝 ∀𝑝 = 𝑊𝑝

b. The buoyant force quantified by Archimedes

𝐹𝑏 = 𝑃𝑤 g∀𝑝 𝐹𝑏 = 𝛾𝑤 ∀𝑝 = 𝑊𝑤

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 Type 1 – Discrete Settling
o Once motion has been initiated, a third force is created due to viscous
friction:
# 3. Drag force
𝑉𝑠2
𝐹𝐷 = 𝐶𝐷 𝐴𝑝 𝑃𝑤
2

o Force balance for a discrete particle that is settling:

Downward
acceleration
of the particle

𝑑𝑉𝑠
𝑚𝑝 = 𝐹𝑔 - 𝐹𝑏 - 𝐹𝑑
𝑑𝑡

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 Type 1 – Discrete Settling
𝑑𝑉𝑠
o After an initial transient period, the acceleration becomes zero
𝑑𝑡

and the settling velocity becomes constant:

𝐹𝑔 = force of gravity
𝑚𝑝 = mass of particle
𝐹𝑏 = buoyancy force
𝑑𝑉𝑠 𝐹𝑑 = drag force
𝑚𝑝 = 0 = 𝐹𝑔 - 𝐹𝑏 - 𝐹𝑑
𝑑𝑡 𝑉𝑠 = settling velocity of particle
𝐶𝐷 = drag coefficient
𝐴𝑝 = cross-sectional area of particle
perpendicular to the direction of movement
∀𝑝 = volume of particle
𝑃𝑤 = density of water
𝑃𝑝 = density of particle
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 Type 1 – Discrete Settling
settling velocity of
discrete particle in
𝑉𝑠2
any shape
0 = 𝑃𝑝 g∀𝑝 - 𝑃𝑤 g∀𝑝 - 𝐶𝐷 𝐴𝑝 𝑃𝑤
2

𝑉𝑠2
0 = g ∀𝑝 𝑃𝑝 − 𝑃𝑤 - 𝐶𝐷 𝐴𝑝 𝑃𝑤 2𝑔 𝑃𝑝 −𝑃𝑤 ∀𝑝
2 Vs =
𝐶𝐷 𝑃𝑤 𝐴𝑝

𝑉𝑠2
g ∀𝑝 𝑃𝑝 − 𝑃𝑤 = 𝐶𝐷 𝐴𝑝 𝑃𝑤
2
Equation ---1
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 Type 1 – Discrete Settling
 For spherical particle:
4
∀𝑝 = 𝜋𝑟 3 ∀𝑝
4
𝜋𝑟 3
3 3 4 4𝑑
= = 𝑟=
A𝑝 𝜋𝑟 2 3 32

A𝑝 = 𝜋𝑟 2

Substitute into equation_1

2𝑔 𝑃𝑝 −𝑃𝑤 4 𝑑
𝑉𝑠 =
𝐶𝐷 𝑃𝑤 3 2
settling velocity of
spherical discrete
particle

4 𝑃𝑝 −𝑃𝑤 𝑔𝑑
𝑉𝑠 =
3 𝐶𝐷 𝑃𝑤 Equation_2

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 Type 1 – Discrete Settling

 Newton’s drag coefficient (CD) is a function of:

Re < 1 Laminar flow

1< Re < 104 Transitional flow

i. Flow regime around the particle
Re > 104 Turbulent flow
ii. Particle shape
𝑉𝐷 𝑉𝑠 𝐷 𝜇
Re = = ,𝜗 = (kinematic
𝑣 𝑣 𝜌𝑤

viscosity)

∅𝑉𝑠 𝐷
Re = ( For non-spherical particles)
𝜗
 Drag coefficient (𝐶𝐷 ) for spheres:

24 3
𝐶𝐷 = + + 0.34
𝑅𝑒 𝑅𝑒
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 Type 1 – Discrete Settling
𝑅𝑒 < 1
Negligible
# 1. For laminar flow 24 3
𝐶𝐷 = + + 0.34
𝑅𝑒 𝑅𝑒
For laminar flow
24 𝑉𝑠 𝐷 𝑉𝑠 𝐷𝜌𝑤
𝐶𝐷 = , 𝑅𝑒 = =
𝑅𝑒 𝑣 𝜇

24𝜇
𝐶𝐷 =
𝑉𝑠 𝐷𝜌𝑤

Settling velocity of spherical discrete

particles under laminar flow conditions
(STOKE’S LAW) Eqn. 3

At laminar flow, settling velocity

equation is simplified to Stocks law:
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 Type 1 – Discrete Settling

24 3
 Transitional Flow, 1< Re < 104 𝐶𝐷 = + + 0.34
𝑅𝑒 𝑅𝑒

4 𝑃𝑝 −𝑃𝑤 𝑔𝑑
𝑉𝑠 =
3 𝑃𝑤

Commonly used
Substitute into Eqn_2

 For turbulent flow, 𝑅𝑒 > 104 𝐶𝐷 = 0.34 – 0.4

10 𝑃𝑝 −𝑃𝑤 𝑔𝑑
𝑉𝑠 =
3 𝑃𝑤
Settling velocity of spherical discrete
particles under turbulent flow conditions
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 Critical Settling Velocity & Overflow rate
 Particles move horizontally with the fluid (all particles have the same
horizontal velocity)
 Particles move vertically with terminal settling velocity (different for
particles with different size, shape and density)

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 Critical Settling Velocity & Overflow rate
 All particles with 𝑉𝑠 > 𝑉𝑐 , will be completely settled.
 Particle with 𝑉𝑠 < 𝑉𝑐 , will be removed in the ratio 𝑉𝑝 / 𝑉𝑐

𝑇𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ 𝑇𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ

 𝑉𝑐 = =
𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑇𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒/𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 surface loading or

𝑇𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑄 overflow rate

 = = =
(𝐷𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ . 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎)/𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝐴𝑠

 (Settling velocity of the slowest-settling particles that are 100%

removed)

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 Critical Settling Velocity & Overflow rate
 In a typical suspension of discrete particles , there is a large variation
in particle size
 To determine the overall removal for a given design settling velocity
(or overflow rate)
 The settling velocity distribution for the suspension must be determined

 Experimental analysis:
 Use of a settling column
 Use of sieve analysis Methods to determine
 Hydrometer tests critical velocity

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 Batch Settling Column Test for Type 1 Settling
 Depth of column is not a factor in the analysis ( about 2 m)
 Diameter of column about 200 mm

𝑍𝑜
 Procedure: Sampling port

1. Height of the port is measured

2. Suspension to be tested is placed in the column
 Mixed completely to ensure uniform distribution of particles
3. At time = 0, a portion of the sample is removed from the port
 TSS analysis is carried out in order to determine the initial TSS concentration
4. The suspension is allowed to settle

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 Batch Settling Column Test for Type 1 Settling
1. Intermittent samples are removed at appropriate time intervals
 For each sample withdrawn, TSS analysis must be performed to determine the
fraction remaining in suspension at each time interval
2. Settling velocity at each time interval (𝑉1 = H/𝑡1 , 𝑉2 = H/𝑡2 , 𝑉3 =H /𝑡3 , ...)
 fraction with settling velocity less than stated vs terminal settling velocity

Fraction particles with

velocity less than Vc

𝑉𝑝
Fraction removed = (1 - 𝑋𝐶 ) + dx
𝑉𝐶

Fraction particles with

velocity greater than Vc
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 Sieve Analysis for Type 1 Settling
o Particle Size vs Weight fraction greater than size (%) are determined
o Settling velocity for each particle size is calculated
o Cumulative distribution curve (fraction with settling velocity less than stated vs
terminal settling velocity) is drawn
Fraction particles removed
with velocity less than 𝑉𝐶

𝑉𝑝
Fraction removed = (1 - 𝑋𝐶 ) + dx
𝑉𝐶

Fraction particles removed

with velocity greater than
𝑉𝐶

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 Design of Sedimentation tank

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 Design of Sedimentation tank
 In practice, settling of the particles is governed by the resultant of
horizontal velocity of water and the vertical downward velocity of the
particle.
 Particles move horizontally with the fluid (all particles have the same
horizontal velocity)
 Particles move vertically with terminal settling velocity (different for
particles with different size, shape and density)

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 Design of Sedimentation tank

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 Design of Sedimentation tank
o The critical particle in the settling zone of an ideal rect. Sediment.
tank, for design purposes, will be the one that enters at the top of the
settling zone and settles with a velocity just sufficient to reach the
sludge zone at the end of the settling zone of the tank.
o In an ideal sedimentation tank with horizontal or radial flow pattern,
particles with settling velocity less than vs (vt ) can still be removed
partially.

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 Design of sedimentation tank
 The design aspects of sedimentary tanks are:
a. Velocity of flow
b. Capacity of tank
c. Inlet and outlet arrangements
d. Settling and sludge zones
e. Shapes of tanks

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 Design of sedimentation tank
# 1. Velocity of flow
 Should be sufficient enough to cause the hydraulic settling of suspended
impurities
 Should remain uniform throughout the tank
 Is generally not allowed to exceed 0.3m/min

# 2. Capacity of tank
o Capacity of tank is calculated by:
1. Detention period
2. Overflow/Overload rate

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 Design of sedimentation tank

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 Design of sedimentation tank
# 3. Detention period
o Theoretical time taken by a particle of water to pass between entry and exit of a
settling tank
o Depends on the quality of suspended impurities present in water
o For plain sedimentation tanks, it is found to vary from 3 to 4 hours.
o The detention time of the particle that enters at point 1 and get removed at point 2 is
given by:
𝐻 Eqn. 1
t=
𝑉𝑂

o The detention time is also equal to the length divided by the horizontal velocity:

𝐿
t=
𝑉 Eqn. 2
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 Design of Sedimentation Tanks
o Horizontal velocity is equal to flowrate divided by cross-sectional area:

𝑄
V=
𝐻𝑊 Eqn. 3

o Combining Eqns. 2 and 3 to eliminate V gives:

𝐿𝑊𝐻
t= Eqn. 4
𝑄

o Since LWH is the basin volume (Vol), the detention time ( t) is equal to
the basin volume divided by the flow rate:

𝑉𝑜𝑙
t= Eqn. 5
𝑄

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 Design of Sedimentation Tanks
o From eqns. 1 and 4:

𝐿𝑊𝐻 𝐻
= Eqn. 6
𝑄 𝑉𝑂

o Rearranging yields:

𝑄
𝑉𝑂 =
𝐿𝑊 Eqn. 7

o Or overflow rate or surface loading (m3/day-m2):

𝑄
𝑉𝑂 = Eqn. 8
𝐴𝑝

 Where Ap = the plan area of the basin

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 Design of Sedimentation Tanks
o For an ideal circular settling basin, the horizontal velocity is given by:

𝑄
V=
2𝜋𝑟𝐻

o Overflow rate or surface loading (m3/day-m2)

L = Length of tank
B = Width of tank
Ap = Plan or surface area of tank
Q = Discharge or rate of flow
𝑄
𝑉𝑂 = Vs = Velocity of descend of a
𝐴𝑝 particle to the bottom of tank
Vo = overflow rate / surface loading
rate /critical velocity
V = horizontal velocity of particle
o The depth of an ideal rectangular or circular basins
is given by:
H = 𝑉𝑂 t
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 Design of Sedimentation Tanks
𝑄
o All particles having settling velocity(𝑉𝑠 ) greater than or equal to will
𝑊𝐿

be removed
oWhen the particles enter the tank at full height H
𝑄
o Smaller particles having settling velocities (𝑉′𝑠 ) lower than will also
𝑊𝐿

settle down
o if they happen to enter at some other height h of the tank
oWhen the particles are entering at some other height h of the tank, all
ℎ 𝑄
those particles having their settling velocities 𝑉′𝑠 ≥ will settle down
𝐻 𝑊𝐿

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 Design of sedimentation tanks
# 4. Inlet and Outlet Arrangements
 Inlet zone
 To distribute the water uniformly
 To control the water's velocity
as it enters the basin
The incoming flow in a sedimentation
basin must be evenly distributed across the width of the basin to prevent
short-circuiting.
Inlet arrangement consists of:
 Baffles

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 Design of sedimentation tanks
o Short-circuiting - is a problematic circumstance in which water bypasses the
normal flow path through the basin and reaches the outlet in less than the
normal detention time.
o Camp Number > 10-5 ( stable flow or No short-circuiting)

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 Design of sedimentation tanks
 Outlet Zone
 The outlet zone controls the water flowing out of the sedimentation basin
 Designed to prevent short-circuiting of water in the basin.
 To ensure that only well-settled water leaves the basin and enters to the
filter.
 Used to control the water level in the basin.
 Outlet arrangement consists of:
o Weir, notches or orifices
o Effluent trough or launder
o Outlet pipe

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 Design of sedimentation tank
 Outlet Zone
o Weir loading rates are limited to prevent high approach velocities near
the outlet.
o Weirs frequently consist of V-notches approximately 50mm in depth,
placed 150 – 300 mm on centers, with a baffle in front of the weir:
o To prevent floating material from escaping the sedimentation basin and
clogging the filters.

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 Design of sedimentation tank
# 6. Settling Zone
o Zone where particle settling occurs
o This zone will make up the largest volume of the sedimentation
basin.
o For optimal performance, the settling zone requires a slow, even
flow of water.
o The settling zone may be simply a large area of open water
o But, in some cases, tube settlers and lamella plates are included in
the settling zone.

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 Design of sedimentation tank
 Tube settlers and lamella plates:
 Increase the settling efficiency and speed in sedimentation basins.
 Functions as a small sedimentation basin, greatly increasing the settling
area.
 Are very useful in plants where site area is limited, in packaged plants,
or to increase the capacity of shallow basins.

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 Design of sedimentation tank
# 7. Sludge Zone
 Found at bottom sedimentation basin where sludge collects temporarily.
 Velocity should be very slow to prevent re-suspension of sludge (𝑉𝑓 < 𝑉𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑟. )

40 𝑃𝑠 −𝑃𝑤 𝑔𝑑
𝑉𝑠𝑐 =
3 𝑃𝑤

 A drain at bottom of the basin allows sludge to be easily removed from tank.
 Tank bottom should slope toward the drains to further facilitate sludge removal.
 Sludge removal can be:
 Automated equipment
 Manually

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