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Learning Unit 8 - Sedimentation

The document discusses sedimentation and particle settling, including hindered settling principles, batch and continuous settling, and the Kynch method for thickener design. It explains the concepts of hindered settling, batch settling types, concentration profiles, and uses the Kynch method to determine particle settling velocity over time from experimental data.

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15 views11 pages

Learning Unit 8 - Sedimentation

The document discusses sedimentation and particle settling, including hindered settling principles, batch and continuous settling, and the Kynch method for thickener design. It explains the concepts of hindered settling, batch settling types, concentration profiles, and uses the Kynch method to determine particle settling velocity over time from experimental data.

Uploaded by

Prince immanent Bopape
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Learning Unit 8 – Multiple Particle Systems

Sedimentation

2020
At the end of this unit you should be able to:

• Understand the principle of hindered settling.

• Understand the underlying fundamentals of batch settling and continuous


settling.

• Understand the concept behind the sedimentation or settling test behavior.

• Perform the Kynch method for the design of thickeners.

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Principle of Hindered Settling
• The process of settling of multiple particles in a concentrated solutions is called
sedimentation or hindered settling
• Each particle is influenced by the presence of the others. As a particle falls its
displaced fluid moves upward and slows the observed settling of its neighbouring
particles.
• To derive an expression for the multiple particle system, we recall the analysis for
fluid particle interaction for a single particle and we obtain the following final
equations: (1) and (2)
where Uf and Up are actual fluid velocity and particle system velocity respectively, Ufs and Ups are superficial fluid
velocity and superficial particle velocity respectively, ε is the voidage fraction.

3
Batch Settling
• In a batch settling system, e.g. suspended solids in a measuring cylinder, net flow
through the vessel is zero:
(3)
• We can derive a dimensionless particle settling flux as follows (see full derivation on
the textbook):
(4)

• Taking first and second derivates of Equation (4) demonstrates that a plot of
dimensionless particle settling flux versus suspension volumetric concentration, (1-ε)
has a maximum at ε=n/(n+1) and an inflection point at ε=(n-1)/(n+1).

4
Batch Settling (Cont.)
Sharp Interfaces in the Sedimentation:
• Interfaces or discontinuities in concentration occur in the sedimentation.
• The particle velocity is slower in the hindered
settling than in free settling. This is illustrated by
Equation (5).
U P  UT  n (5)

Figure 1: Variation of dimensionless settling flux with suspension


concentration, based on Equation (4). (For Rep<0.3, i.e. n=4.65)
5
Batch Settling (Cont.)
Sedimentation Test
• In a typical sedimentation test, often prepared in a
measuring cylinder, the cylinder is shaken to
thoroughly mix the suspension and then placed
upright to allow the suspension to settle.
• The positions of the interfaces which form are
monitored in time. Two types of settling occur depending
on the initial concentration of the suspension, namely:
Type 1 and Type 2 (see Fig. 2).

Figure 2: Batch settling tests, a) Type 1 and


b) Type 2
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Batch Settling (Cont.)

In Type 1 Settling:
In zone A, there is a clear liquid where the concentration is zero. In zone B the concentration is
equal to the initial suspension concentration (i.e. Constant concentration) and the particles settle at
their terminal velocity. In zone C there is variation in the concentration and particles are in hindered
settling. In Zone D the sediment has particles; the particles are no longer settling though the
sediment may compact due to the weight of the overburden.

In Type 2 Settling:
The sedimentation rate progressively decreases throughout the whole operation because there is no
zone of constant composition, and zone C extends from the top interface to the layer of sediment.

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Continuous Settling
• When a batch of solids are allowed to settle, there is no net flow through the
vessel. For a continuous process , there is a net fluid flow (see Fig. 3).
• Performing a downward solids flow balance, we obtain:
Total solids flux = flux due to bulk flow + flux due to settling
(6)

• For upward flow, we have:


Total solids flux = flux due to settling - flux due to bulk flow

Figure 3: Continuous settling, downflow only.


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Continuous Settling (Cont.)
• Demonstration of the sedimentation in continuous settling in relation to total flux
(downward flow) is shown in Fig. 4. For comparison purpose, batch settling is also
plotted in Fig. 4.

Figure 4: Total flux plot for settling in downward flow.

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Kynch Method
• The kynch method is a graphical approach that is used to find settling velocity of a
slurry or suspension over time. The kynch method involves constructing tangents
to the settling height and times curves, and the slope of each of these tangents is
the velocity at that time.

Figure 5: Demonstration of the Kynch method.


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Stay safe, stay home, wash hands and/or use
hand sanitizer #COVID19.

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