Primary Sedimentation

Theory
i) Type-I Settling following Stokes Law of Settling:

A.

B.

vs gd

s w / 18

v0

Types of Sedimentation Tanks:

i)
ii)
iii)
iv)

Rectangular
Circular
Square, and
stacked

Selection is governed by:

a)
b)
c)
d)

size of the plant

Local regulatory authorities
Local site conditions
Experience and judgment of the designer

Rectangular Sedimentation Tank (Figure in Next Slide)

Salient Features:

i.

Length: 15 to 90 m

ii.

Width: 3 to 24 m

iii. Depth: typically should exceed 2 m

Large rectangular tanks seem to yield better removal efficiencies than
do circular counterpart of comparable size.
Operation of rectangular and circular sedimentation tanks with

identical parameters

did not result in significant differences in

performance
Rectangular tanks with common-wall construction are advantageous

for sites with space constraints

Circular Sedimentation Tanks:

Salient Features:
I.

Diameters: 3 to 90 m

II. Depths:

typically 2.4 to 4.0 m

Circular sedimentation tanks can use relatively trouble-free

sludge removal equipment (drive bearings are not under
water)
Walls of circular tanks act as tension rings, which permit
thinner walls than those for rectangular tanks and hence

have lower capital costs per unit surface area than that for
rectangular tanks
For small facilities, circular tanks generally require more
yard piping than rectangular tanks do.

Square Sedimentation tanks:

Hydraulically similar to circular sedimentation tanks, sludge

removal mechanism being similar

Sludge removal from the corners can cause problems
Square tanks may use common wall construction but require
thicker walls tan circular tanks
These tanks are not common

Stacked Sedimentation Tanks (Tray Clarifiers):

Usage:

Where land availability is a problem and/or extremely

expensive.

Plant area requirements range from 0.13 to 0.5 m2 /m3.d

Series and parallel flow are two types

The inlet and outlet design is considered a weakness because

the wastewater flow patterns might possibly intersect with those
of sludge

Operational observation and maintenance are difficult

Linear Flow-through Velocity

In practice, the linear (horizontal) flow-through velocity (scour velocity) has been
limited to 1.2 to 1.5 m/min. this may be calculated from the following equation :

vH 8k s 1gd / f

0.5

Where,

v = critical scour velocity, m/s

k = constant for type of scoured particles
s = sp. gr. of scoured particles
d = diam. of scoured particles
f = Darcy-Weisbach friction factor

Typical k values are 0.04 for unigranular materials and 0.06 for sticky, inter-locking
materials.
Typically, f values are function of Reynolds no. and characteristics of the settled
solids surface.

Surface Geometry:
In order to minimize hindrance to settling and
scouring of settled solids, surface geometry

plays an important role. Common length towidth ratios employed for the design range

from 3:1 to 5:1. often, width is controlled by

the availability of

removal equipment.

sludge collection and

Inlet Conditions:

Inlets should be designed to dissipate the inlet port velocity, distribute flow evenly,
and prevent short-circuiting. The minimum distance between the inlet and the

outlet should be 3 m unless the tank includes special provisions to prevent shortcircuiting.

Inlet channel velocities should be high enough to prevent solids deposition. The
inlet channel design typically allows a minimum velocity of 0.3 m/s @ 50% of
design flow.

Velocities are typically dissipated through some type of inlet baffles, which are
placed @ 0.6 to 0.9 m ahead of the inlets and submerged 46 to 61 cm depending
upon tank depth. The top of the baffles shall be hgh above the water surface to
allow scum to pass over the top.

Proper sedimentation tank operation depend on outlet conditions. Its

principal objectives are:
1. Provide a uniform distribution of flow over a large area,

2. Minimize the lifting of the particles and their escape into the
effluent, and
3. Reduce the passage of floating matter with the effluent
Most common types of effluent structures for rectangular and circular
tanks are weirs that are adjustable for leveling. Various
configurations of outlets are shown in the next slide.

In circular clarifies outlets placed either near the centre or along the periphery:

Effluent Weir, Notches, Launder, and Outlet Channel :

Fig:

V-notches and Suspended Effluent launder in Circular Clarifier

Fig: Effluent Launders discharging into an Outlet Channel and Effluent Notches,
Launders, and Outlet Channel in a Rectangular Clarifier

Fig:

Endless Conveyor Chain Details- a) Conveyor Sludge Collectors with Skimmer;

b) Drive Sprockets

Fig:

c) Chain Drive with Gear Speed Reducer

d) Collector Sprocket

FIG:

Moving Bridge Sludge Collector

a) Travelling Truss Bridge with mechanical Scraper hung from the top
b) Travelling Truss bridge showing Wheels on Rails

FIG:

Moving Bridge Sludge Collector

b) Travelling Truss bridge showing Wheels on Rails

Sludge Collection &

Removal
Collection:

Settled sludge is generally scraped into a hopper where

it is removed by gravity or pumping. The sludge hopper for rectangular

tanks is usually located at the end of the tank, while for circular tanks,
the hopper is usually located in the centre of the tank.

The hopper is up to 3 m deep having steep slope, minimum being 1.7:1.

in practice, the hopper bottom has a maximum dimension of 0.6 m.
sedimentation tanks with steep sides and widths over 3 m often need

more than one hopper to reduce its depth.

Sludge Quantities and Properties:

SM

Q TSS E

1000

Where,

SM = mass of sludge, kg/d

Q = primary effluent flow, m3 /d
TSS = primary effluent TSS, mg/l
E = removal efficiency, fraction (usually 50 65%)

Sludge Transport and Handling:

Continuous or intermittent withdrawal @ a rate that will control the sludge
blanket depth. Sludge withdrawal lines should be at least 100 mm in diameter.

Shortest ans straightest possible lengths of suction piping should be provided

along with access to the suction piping for rodding , pigging, or flushing. A
sight glass or sludge density meter is necessary on the suction side of the
primary sludge pump. The primary sludge line should include a sampling port
and flow meter. Time clocks on sludge pumps should be capable of being set at
30-min increments. Where practical, standby pumps should be provided for
sludge pumping instead of interconnected piping that could become clogged
with debris and grease.

Scum Management:

Removal of floating materials or scum is an important function of

Primary treatment. Oil, grease, plastic, and other floating materials

increase the organic load to d/s treatment processes and may cause
various operational troubles.
The dry weight scum quantities range from 0.1 to 19 mg/L, with
median value of 5 mg/L.

Imhoff Tank:

Imhoff tanks are sometimes used for small

communities with raw wastewater flows in the order
of 945 m3 /d. conventional Imhoff tanks are usually
rectangular, although circular tanks are sometimes

used. Imhoff tanks should not be located near

residential area because an odorous gas vents to

the atmosphere.

TYPICAL DESIGN CRITERIA FOR UNHEATED IMHOFF TANKS

DESIGN PROBLEM PRACTICES

Secondary Sedimentation