Sedimentation

Type I Sedimentation

This is discrete particle settling, i.e. each particle settles as a separate entity and there is no inter-particle
bridging or flocculation. The particles intended for capture in grit chambers settle as discrete particles.
Design for unit operations based on Type I Sedimentation is based on Stokes' Law:
where: vs = particle settling velocity, m∙s-1
g ⋅ ( ρ p - ρ w ) ⋅ -2d 2
g = acceleration due tovs =
gravity, 9.81 m∙s
18 ⋅ µ
ρp = density of the particle, kg∙m-3
ρw = density of the fluid, ~1000.0 kg∙m-3 @ 20°C
d = diameter of the particle, m
μ = dynamic viscosity, 1.002x10-3 Pa∙s (= kg∙m-1∙s-1) @ 20°C

Type II Sedimentation

This is flocculant settling, i.e the particles have a natural (or chemically enhanced) tendency to
agglomerate as they settle. These particles grow in size as they coalesce and water is squeezed out
increasing their density. There is no theoretical basis for predicting these changes in size and density, so
design calculations for Type II sedimentation are based on laboratory batch settling tests. The particles
captured in primary treatment follow Type II sedimentation.

Type III Sedimentation

This is zone settling, i.e. at high particle densities interparticle forces hinder individual particle settling
and the entire suspension settles en masse. This type of settling is characteristic of intermediate depths in
secondary clarifiers and in the gravity thickeners used for sludge treatment.

Type IV Sedimentation

This is compression settling, i.e. settling of particles that are of such a high concentration that the
particles touch each other and settling can only occur by compression of the compacting mass. This type
of settling is observed in the lower depths of secondary clarifiers and in gravity thickeners.

Stokes' Law
Stokes' Law relates particle size and settling velocity. There are three
forces which act on a particle: the downward gravitational force (F g), an Fb
upward buoyancy force (Fb) and an upward drag force (Fd). The Fd Fd
gravitational force is a function of "g" and the mass of the particle, thus
diameter and particle density. The buoyancy force is a function of the

Fg
fluid mass displaced by the particle and thus diameter and fluid density. And the drag force is a
function of particle size and viscosity and thus diameter and fluid viscosity.
g ⋅( ρ p - ρ w )⋅ d 2
vs =
18 ⋅ µ

Specific gravity: the ratio of the mass of a given volume of any substance to that of an equal
volume of water, taken at 4° C. The specific gravity of platinum is 21.5 because any volume of
platinum weighs 21.5 times more than an equal volume of water at 4°C.

Particle density: calculated as the product of the specific gravity of the particle (e.g. 1.9) and
the density of water at 4 °C (1000 kg∙m-3). Variation in particle density over the range of
environmental temperatures is negligible.

Liquid density: calculated as the product of the specific gravity of water (1.0, by definition) and
the density of water at the environmental temperature. The density of water decreases above and
below 4 °C and the changes may be significant over the range of environmental temperatures.

Dynamic viscosity: decreases with increasing temperature - by a factor of three over the range
0-35 °C.
Settling Velocity (m/d)

2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
0 10 20 30 40
Temperature

Settling Tank Design

The fundamental consideration is that the water residence time (τ ) be greater than the particle settling
time (ts),

τ > ts [1]

i.e. the particle gets to the bottom before it exits the tank.

The water residence time is given by,

 V
τ= [2]
Q

The particle settling time is given by,

h
ts = [3]
vs

substituting Equations 2 and 3 to Equation 1 yields,

V h
> and dividing both sides by h, [4]
Q vs

Asurface 1
> and inverting and multiplying both sides by Q, [5]
Q vs

Q
Asurface > [6]
vs

This is the basic design equation for a grit

chamber, with vs calculated using Stokes
Law. In application to primary treatment
(Type II or flocculent settling), we define
the surface overflow rate (m3∙m-2∙d-1) based
on Equation 6 and relate SOR to removal
efficiency empirically through laboratory
tests.

Q
SOR = [12]
Atop

Types of Pumps Used in Water Distribution

By Shellie Braeuner, eHow Contributor
updated: September 3, 2010
1.
We no longer rely on the old-fashioned pump to bring us water.
Potable water is one of the greatest natural resources on the planet. Every human, plant
an animal on Earth needs water. At one time, potable water wasn't portable. Human
settlement depended on the placement of water. So every town sprang up around a
common well, stream or river. But with the invention of pumps, mankind was able to
spread out and bring plenty of water to areas that would otherwise simply depend on
rain.

Positive Displacement Pumps

2. We've all seen the Old West movies, where people got their water from a hand pump
next to a trough. Those old-fashioned hand pumps, a staple of early America, are positive
displacement pumps. The handle pushes a piston inside the pump. When the pump
handle is pulled, the piston pulls the water into the piston case through a valve. When the
handle is pushed, the piston pushes the water out through another valve and, ultimately,
some form of spigot. Electrical versions of these simple pumps are available where a
motor replaces the traditional pump handle. This form of pump moves the water. But as
anyone who has used an old-fashioned pump knows, it takes a lot of energy to move a
little water.

Centrifugal Pump
3. Similar in design to a fan, this pump has several blades, or impellers, that surround a
central shaft. The pump will not start dry; water must fill the pump case entirely before
the pump is switched on. This is called "priming the pump." Water is drawn into the
pump through the inlet. The water is then rotated through the center of a round pump
case by the impellers. Centrifugal force pushes the water outward, where it is forced
through the outlet. The force of the outflow is dependent on how close the impellers are
to the case of the pump. When there is a lot of space, the water slows down. Several
centrifugal pumps can be used together to create higher powered outflow. When used
together, they are called multistage centrifugal pumps.

Turbine Pumps
4. Similar in design to the centrifugal pumps, turbine pumps stand vertically. In this case,
the pump uses several smaller sets of impellers to draw water up the pump. Their thinner,
vertical design makes them useful for underground water retrieval. But turbine pumps are
more expensive and labor intensive than centrifugal pumps. Because turbine pumps must
fight gravity, they need more power so their impeller blades are close to the casing. Silt,
sand and other grits are constantly ground into both the blades and the casing of the
pump. Its underground placement makes it difficult to inspect and maintain. Like the
centrifugal pump, the turbine pump must be primed.