SEDIMENTATION

Settling Characteristics of Calcium

Carbonate Slurry

Abad, Abegail B.
Omega, Victor Alvin A.
Tandingan, Wayne Lorenz B.

Objectives:
1. Describe the mechanism of sedimentation by
observing occurrences during the settling of a CaCO3slurry in graduated glass cylinders.
2. Determine the effect of increased slurry concentration
on the rate of settling.
3. Determine the area and depth of an industrial
thickener that may be used for thickening a CaCO3slurry under conditions similar to those of the
experiment.

sedimentation
-the separation of a dilute slurry by gravity settling
into a clear fluid and a slurry of higher solids
content (Foust, 1980)

Theoretical Background
A clear zone
B uniform concentration
zone
C transition zone
D compression zone
z0 initial height of slurry

Batch Sedimentation (McCabe, Smith & Harriot,

1993)

Theoretical Background
free settling characterized
by particles settling
independent from one another
hindered settling particle
motion is impeded by other
particles nearby

Interface height as a function of time

compression the zone of

highest density or
concentration, regime where
the rate of settling approaches
zero

Theoretical Background
Kynch theory of
sedimentation
Lines of constant slope on a
plot of z vs. t will refer to
zones of constant composition
which will be propagated at a
constant rate dependent only
on the concentration

Interface height as a function of time

Theoretical Background

The settling rate decreases

with increasing concentration
of the solid in the slurry
(Foust, 1980)

Rate of settling as a function of concentration

Theoretical Background
Continuous thickeners
- Large diameter, shallowdepth tanks with revolving
rakes for removing the
sludge
- Purpose is to take a slurry of
some initial concentration of
solids and through the
process of sedimentation
produce a slurry of some
higher concentration

Theoretical Background

Thickener area
Thickener depth

Theoretical Background

Area of the thickener

Yoshioka method of determination of limiting

total flux

Theoretical Background
Thickener depth

Volume of the compression zone

Theoretical Background
Objective

Concepts

Output

zones
types of settling

z(t) curve

1
describe the mechanism of
sedimentation by observing
occurrences during the
settling of CaCO3-slurry

Theoretical Background
Objective

Concepts

Output

Kynch theory of
sedimentation

R(c) curve

2
determine the effect of
increased slurry
concentration on the rate of
settling

Theoretical Background
Objective

Concepts

Output

3
determine the area and
depth of an industrial
thickener that may be used
for thickening a CaCO3slurry under conditions
similar to those of the
experiment

rate-limiting layer

sketch of the thickener

Results and Discussion: Objective 1

Figure 1. Average interface height

as a function of time for 100 g/L
CaCO3-slurry

Results and Discussion: Objective 1

Figure 2. Average interface height

as a function of time for 50 g/L
CaCO3-slurry

Results and Discussion: Objective 1

Figure 3. Interface height as a

function of time for 100 g/L
CaCO3-slurry

Results and Discussion: Objective 1

Figure 4. Interface height as a

function of time for 50 g/L CaCO3slurry consolidated in a z(t) data

Results and Discussion: Objective 2

Figure 5.
Settling
velocity as a
function of
concentration

Results and Discussion: Objective 2

Results and Discussion: Objective 2

Results and Discussion: Objective 2

Thickener Area and Depth

(a) A 100 g CaCO3 per liter slurry is fed to a thickener at
the rate of 30 tons of dry solids per hour to produce a
thickened sludge of 350 g CaCO3 per liter. Specify the
thickener area required.
(b) Estimate the depth of a thickener required to perform
the operations in (a). Assume the z is equal to the height
of the solid/liquid interface which remains constant with
time.

Thickener Area and Depth

V (m3 water/h)
cv = 0

F = 300.00 m3 slurry/h
co = 100 g CaCO3/L

z (m)

D (m)

THICKENER

L (m3 slurry/h)
cu = 350 g CaCO3/L

Solids Flux
Method

By Yoshioka and Hotta

cu

GROUP 1

GROUP 2

GROUP 3

GROUP 4

GROUP 5

GROUP 6

GROUP 7

GROUP 8

GROUP 9

GROUP 10

GROUP 11

Critical Flux and Thickener Area

Grp #
L
(kg/m2h)
S (m2)
D (m)
Grp #
L
(kg/m2h)
S (m2)
D (m)

34.50

84.00

145.00

48.42

45.77

37.75

869.57
33.27

357.14
21.32

206.90
16.23

619.57
28.09

655.46
28.89

794.70
31.81

10

11

55.00

72.67

46.76

48.26

85.88

545.45
26.35

412.84
22.93

641.51
28.58

621.62
28.13

349.32
21.09

869.57
794.70
619.57

655.46

641.51

621.62

545.45
412.84

357.14

349.32
206.90

z0

(z0 + z0)/2

1
z*
Linear (z*)
z/2
tc

z0
tc

Critical Flux and Thickener Area

Grp #
z (m)

1
2.6618

4. 53

2.43

Grp #
z (m)

2.7244

4. 53

2.57

4
1.84

5
2.57

10
1.84

11
1.88

6
2.55

Conclusion:
The mechanism of sedimentation can be described
using the profile of interface height versus time where it
can be seen that three settling regimes happen during
the process: free settling, hindered settling and
compression.
The rate of settling decreases with increasing slurry
concentration, sharply at low concentrations and
minimal change at greater concentration values.
Using the data gathered from the experiment, the
thickeners diameter and depth given the flow stream
specifications can be determined.