Abstract

In industrial plants separation processes are often undertaken to obtain the desired products in the
preferred purity and form. Separation processes can be grouped based on their properties into:
Diffusional separators, Membrane separators and Mechanical separators. This report is focused
around an experiment on batch sedimentation.
Sedimentation is the process by which particles settle to the bottom of a liquid and form a
sediment due to gravitational pull. The main objective of this study is the determination of the
efficiency of sedimentation of calcium carbonate suspensions at various flowrates.
For the batch sedimentation process three pre-prepared sedimentation cylinders, containing
unknown concentrations of calcium carbonate in water were examined. (75g/l) for cylinder A
with small diameter, (75/l) for cylinder B with large diameter, and (150g/l) for cylinder C with
large diameter, they were shaken thoroughly and allowed to settle. The heights obtained are
graphically represented against time and used to obtain the settling velocities of the particles.
The size and type of particle to be removed has a major effect on the settling rate. The solid
particles in the Cylinder 3 were larger. During the experiment the particles of the Cylinder 3
settled faster and therefore had the highest settling velocity. Sedimentation is achieved by
decreasing the velocity of the mixture to a point which the solid particles will no longer remain
in suspension.

Introduction
The sedimentation process applications are countless techniques for application prior filtration
such as Water Treatment, Oil Industry, Metal Purification and Chemical Industry.
In most industrial chemical processes, the desired product formed is usually in a mixture with
other components. These components can be excess reactants, by-products, catalysts and
components of solvents or reaction media. To obtain the products in the desired purity and form
separation must be undertaken. The most common separation processes include evaporation,
distillation, absorption, crystallization, filtration, centrifugation, drying and membrane processes.
Separation processes are mainly based on physical and physio-chemical means.
Differences in physical properties allow components in a mixture to undergo separation. Based
on these properties various separation processes can be grouped into: Diffusional separators,
Membrane separators and Mechanical separators. In diffusional separators separations are based
on molecular movement towards a favorable phase. Membrane separators make use of semi-
permeable membranes to separate molecules with different sizes or other properties. In
mechanical separators separations are based on size and/or density differences of the components
in the mixture, for separation of solid from liquid.
In heterogeneous mixtures, two or more phases combine but remain physically separate. They
can include mixtures of two liquids or suspensions (liquid and solid). Liquid-gas mixtures also
exist. Separation of such mixtures is achieved by using mechanical-physical forces. These forces
act on the particles, liquids or mixtures of particles and liquids themselves and not necessarily on
the individual molecule. Mechanical-physical forces include gravitational and centrifugal, actual
mechanical and kinetic forces arising from flow.
This paper is focused around an experiment on batch sedimentation. Sedimentation can be
described as the process of letting suspended material settle by the force of gravity as shown in
Figure 1. The main objective of this study is the determination of the efficiency of sedimentation
of calcium carbonate suspensions at various flowrates. Settling velocities were determined from
the batch settling tests. Removal efficiencies and rates of sedimentation of the continuous test
were also calculated. Further details about how the experiment was carried out and all of these
calculations undertaken are included in this report. The data and results obtained have been
captured and presented using tables and figures of the Microsoft Office applications.

Figure 1: Sedimentation process

Objective
 Experimental study for sedimentation process to separate solids from liquid using the
force of gravity.
 Study the effect of concentration on the settling velocity.
 Determine the relationship between time and interface height at different slurry
concentrations.
 Calculation the settling velocity and concentration at different times.
Apparatus and Materials
 Calcium carbonate.
 Stop Watch.
 Distilled water.
 Graduated cylinder.
 Mixing stick.

Theory
sedimentation is the process by which particles settle to the bottom of a liquid and form a
sediment. Particles that experience a force, either due to gravity or due to centrifugal motion will
tend to move in a uniform manner in the direction exerted by that force. For gravity settling, this
means that the particles will tend to fall to the bottom of the vessel, forming a slurry at the vessel
base. For settling particles, there are two main forces enacting upon any particle. The primary
force is an applied force, such as gravity, and a drag force that is due to the motion of the particle
through the fluid. The force applied is usually not affected by the particle’s velocity, whereas the
drag force is the function of the particle velocity. As the particles increase in the velocity,
eventually the forces will approximately equate, causing no further change in the particle’s
velocity. This velocity is known as the settling velocity.
For each of the batch settling tests the settling velocity can be determined from the slope of the
height-time graph
z i−z n
v n=
t i−t 0

Where:
v n is the velocity.

To Study the effect of concentration on the settling velocity, the concentration ( C n) for each
point It must be obtained.
z0
C n=( )C
zn 0

Where
C 0 initial concentration.

C n the concentration at certain time.

z 0 initial height.

z n height at certain time.

Calculation the area of settler from equation:

m. C0
A=
1 1
−
C n C final

Where C finalis final concentration.

z0
C final=( )C 0
z final

Where z final final height.

Start-Up Procedures

1. Three pre-prepared sedimentation cylinders, containing unknown concentrations of

calcium carbonate in water, (150g/l) for cylinder A with large diameter, (75/l) for
cylinder B with large diameter, and (75g/l) for cylinder C with small diameter.
2. The water height of the three cylinders was taken and was equal to (32.5 cm), Also the
height of the sedimentation calcium carbonate was taken for the three cylinders and was
equal to) 5.6 cm) for cylinder A, and 3 cm for cylinder B and C.
3. were dislodged from the sedimentation apparatus and shaken thoroughly. This was done
until the mixture became homogenous.
4. The moment when they were put back onto the apparatus the timer was started and the
heights of the three suspensions were recorded.
5. After two minute intervals the heights of the suspension interfaces, the separation
between the zone of clear liquid and the zone of constant composition, were recorded
each time.
6. After no further settling took place the tests were complete.
7. The same procedures are followed at each required time.
Data set

Time zn zn zn
(min) cylinder A cylinder B cylinder C
(cm) (cm) (cm)
2 31 28.3 27
5 28.7 21 19.8
10 25.4 12.5 10.3
20 21 8.1 6.7
30 17.4 6.1 5.6
45 12.5 5.3 4.8
60 9.8 4.8 4.4
80 8.9 4.3 4
100 8.4 4 3.7
120 7.9 3.8 3.5
150 7.4 3.7 3.4

Calculations and results

For cylinder A:
z 0=32.5 cm z final=5.6 cm

C 0=150 g/l=0.15 g/ml

m=10 kg /min=10000 g /min

C final=
( ) ( )
z0
z final
C 0=
32.5
5.6
0.15=0.870 g /ml

Time (min) z n (cm) z i (cm) v n (cm/min) C n( g/ml ¿ A

2 31 33.5 1.25 0.157258 287.9328
5 28.7 32 0.66 0.169861 316.6057
10 25.4 30.5 0.51 0.191929 369.3825
20 21 29 0.4 0.232143 474.944
30 17.4 27.5 0.336667 0.280172 619.8845
45 12.5 24 0.255556 0.39 1060.313
60 9.8 19.5 0.161667 0.497449 1742.502
80 8.9 14 0.06375 0.547753 2218.227
100 8.4 12 0.036 0.580357 2614.827
120 7.9 10.5 0.021667 0.617089 3184.122
150 7.4 9.5 0.014 0.658784 4070.298
 Z𝑛 VS t
35

30

25

20

15

10

0
2 5 10 20 30 45 60 80 100 120 150

Figure 2: graph showing the relationship between height at a certain z n time and time t For cylinder A.

V𝑛 VS Cn

1.4

1.2

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0.157 0.17 0.192 0.232 0.28 0.39 0.497 0.548 0.58 0.617 0.66

Figure 3: graph showing the relationship between the concentration at certain time C nand
velocity v nFor cylinder A.
For cylinder B:
z 0=32.5 cm z final=3 cm C0 =75 g /l=0.075 g/ml

m=10 kg /min=10000 g /min

C final=
( ) ( )
z0
z final
C 0=
32.5
3
0.75=0.813 g /ml

Time (min) z n (cm) z i (cm) v n (cm/min) C n( g/ml ¿ A

2 28.3 34 2.85 0.086131 72.25264
5 21 31 2 0.116071 101.5521
10 12.5 18 0.55 0.195 192.3968
20 8.1 12 0.195 0.300926 358.3263
30 6.1 8 0.063333 0.39959 589.367
45 5.3 6.5 0.026667 0.459906 794.1999
60 4.8 6 0.02 0.507813 1014.585
80 4.3 5.5 0.015 0.56686 1404.257
100 4 4.75 0.0075 0.609375 1824.758
120 3.8 4.5 0.005833 0.641447 2279.898
150 3.7 3.8 0.000667 0.658784 2604.742

Z𝑛 VS t

30

25

20

15

10

0
2 5 10 20 30 45 60 80 100 120 150

Figure 4: graph showing the relationship between height at a certain z n time and time t For cylinder B.
 V𝑛 VS Cn

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
31 71 19
5 26 95
9 06 13 68
6 75 47 84
861 160 0. 009 39 599 078 56 093 414 587
0 1 3 . 4 5 . 6 6 6
0. 0. 0. 0 0. 0. 0 0. 0. 0.

1 ‫سلسلة‬

Figure 5: graph showing the relationship between the concentration at certain time C nand
velocity v nFor cylinder B.

For cylinder C:
z 0=32.5 cm z final=3 cm

C 0=75 g/l=0.075 g/ml

m=10 kg /min=10000 g /min

C final=
( ) ( )
z0
z final
C 0=
32.5
3
0.075=0.813 g /ml

Time (min) z n (cm) z i (cm) v n (cm/min) C n( g/ml ¿ A

2 27 30 1.5 0.090278 76.16602
5 19.8 26 1.24 0.123106 108.805
10 10.3 14 0.37 0.23665 250.3648
20 6.7 10.5 0.19 0.363806 493.8416
30 5.6 7.5 0.063333 0.435268 702.6264
45 4.8 8 0.071111 0.507813 1014.585
60 4.4 6 0.026667 0.553977 1304.085
80 4 5 0.0125 0.609375 1824.758
100 3.7 4.8 0.011 0.658784 2604.742
120 3.5 4.5 0.008333 0.696429 3642.808
150 3.4 4 0.004 0.716912 4549.329
 Z𝑛 VS t

30

25

20

15

10

0
2 5 10 20 30 45 60 80 100 120 150

Figure 6: graph showing the relationship between height at a certain z n time and time t For cylinder C.

V𝑛 VS Cn

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
78 06 65 06 68 13 77 75 84 29 12
902 231 236 638 352 078 539 093 587 964 169
0.
0
0.
1 0. 0.
3
0.
4
0.
5
0.
5
0.
6
0.
6
0.
6
0.
7

Figure 7: graph showing the relationship between the concentration at certain time C nand
velocity v nFor cylinder C.
Discussion
Sedimentation is a critical process in various scientific and industrial applications, where the
separation of solid particles from a liquid phase occurs under the influence of gravity. In this
experiment, three tubes with different concentrations and diameters were used to observe
sedimentation rates. The objective was to understand how concentration and diameter affect the
rate of sedimentation. The tubes were left undisturbed for a specific time period to allow the
solid particles to settle.

Experimental Setup:

 Tube A: Concentration = 0.15, Diameter = Large

 Tube B: Concentration = 0.075, Diameter = Large
 Tube C: Concentration = 0.075, Diameter = Small

Results: The sedimentation rates observed were as follows:

 Tube B had the fastest sedimentation rate.

 Tube C followed.
 Tube A had the slowest sedimentation rate

The results indicate that both concentration and diameter play significant roles in the
sedimentation process. Tubes B and C, with lower concentrations (0.075), showed faster
sedimentation rates compared to Tube A (0.15). This suggests that as the concentration
decreases, the sedimentation rate increases. In lower concentrations, particles are less hindered
by collisions with other particles, allowing them to settle more quickly.

Comparing Tubes B and C, which have the same concentration but different diameters, Tube B
(large diameter) had a faster sedimentation rate than Tube C (small diameter). A larger diameter
provides a greater surface area for sedimentation, enhancing the settling velocity of particles.

 The two key graphs explained:

1. Distance Settled vs. Time:

This graph usually displays the relationship between the distance the particles have
settled and the time elapsed. Typically, the plot shows an initial rapid settling phase
due to gravity pulling the particles downward quickly. As time progresses, the rate of
settling slows down as particles approach the bottom and encounter resistance from
the fluid and other particles. The graph might start steep and then level out, indicating
the deceleration of settling particles. This can be seen in Figure 2, Figure 4 and
Figure 6.
 2. Sedimentation Rate vs. Concentration:

This graph highlights the inverse relationship between sedimentation rate and particle
concentration. As the concentration increases, the sedimentation rate decreases. This
is due to the higher number of particles in the solution, leading to more collisions and
interactions that hinder the settling process. The graph typically shows a decreasing
trend, confirming that lower concentrations allow particles to settle faster. As shown
in Figure 3, Figure 5 and Figure 7.

There are also other factors that affect the speed and rate of sedimentation, and among these
factors is gravity, the Gravity is the primary force that pulls particles downward. Higher
gravitational force increases the sedimentation speed. also Larger particles have greater mass and
thus experience a stronger gravitational pull, which makes them settle faster than smaller ones.
This increased mass and gravitational attraction make larger particles less affected by the fluid's
resistance.

The shape of the particles also plays a crucial role. Irregularly shaped particles may settle slower
than spherical ones due to the fluid resistance acting on them. also Higher fluid viscosity
increases resistance to particle movement, slowing down the sedimentation speed. Viscous fluids
impede particle settling, requiring more time for sedimentation. also The density of the fluid
directly affects the sedimentation speed. Particles settle faster in less dense fluids because the
difference in density between the particles and the fluid is greater, enhancing the downward
force

Conclusion

The sedimentation experiment provided valuable insights into the factors affecting the rate and
speed of sedimentation. It was observed that lower concentrations of particles led to faster
sedimentation rates. This is because particles in lower concentrations experience fewer
collisions, allowing them to settle more quickly. Additionally, the diameter of the tubes played a
significant role, with larger diameters facilitating faster sedimentation due to the increased
surface area available for particles to settle.

Further analysis indicated that several other factors also influence sedimentation. Larger
particles, having greater mass, experience a stronger gravitational pull, leading to faster
sedimentation. The shape of the particles affects their settling speed, with irregularly shaped
particles settling slower due to increased fluid resistance. Higher fluid viscosity increases
resistance to particle movement, slowing down the sedimentation process. Lastly, the density of
the fluid affects the sedimentation rate, with particles settling faster in less dense fluids due to the
greater difference in density between the particles and the fluid.

In summary, both concentration and diameter significantly impact sedimentation rates, while
factors such as gravity, particle size and shape, fluid viscosity, and fluid density also play crucial
roles. Understanding these factors can help optimize sedimentation processes in various
applications.

Recommended

1. Optimize Concentration: For processes like water purification, using lower

concentrations of particles can improve sedimentation efficiency and enhance overall
process effectiveness.
2. Design for Larger Diameters: In industrial settings, design tanks and equipment with
larger diameters to facilitate faster sedimentation and increase throughput.
3. Use Low Viscosity Fluids: For operations involving fluid flow, selecting fluids with
lower viscosity can reduce resistance and improve sedimentation rates, leading to more
efficient separation.
4. Consider Fluid Density: Use fluids with lower density in separation processes to
maximize the difference in density between the particles and the fluid, promoting faster
sedimentation.
5. Maintain Stable Conditions: Ensure consistent environmental conditions, such as
temperature and gravitational force, to achieve predictable and efficient sedimentation
results.
6. Further Research and Development: Continuously explore and experiment with other
variables, such as particle size distribution and fluid temperature, to optimize and
enhance industrial processes.