Settling and Sedimentation

FLUID FLOW
Settling and Sedimentation
in Particle-Fluid Separation
Asst.Prof.Dr.Sirirat Wacharawichanant
Department of Chemical Engineering
Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Technology
What is Settling and Sedimentation
The particles are separated from the fluid by
gravitational forces acting the particles.
When a particles is at sufficient distance from the When a particles is at sufficient distance from the
walls of the container and from other particles so that
its fall is not affected by them, the process is called
free settling.
When the particles are crowed, they settle at a lower
rate and the process is called hindered settling.
The separation of a dilute slurry or suspension by
FLUID FLOW : DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
The separation of a dilute slurry or suspension by
gravity settling into a clear fluid and a slurry of higher
solids content is called sedimentation.
Applications of Settling and Sedimentation
Removal of solids from liquid sewage waste.
Settling of crystals from the mother liquor Settling of crystals from the mother liquor.
Separation of liquid-liquid mixture from a solvent-
extraction stage in a settler.
Settling of solid food particles from a liquid food.
Settling of slurry from a soybean leaching process.
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g y y g p
The particles can be solid particles or liquid drops.
Particle Movement Through a Fluid
Whenever a particle is moving through a fluid, a
number of forces will be acting on the particle.
A density difference is needed between the particle A density difference is needed between the particle
and fluid.
External force of gravity is needed to impart motion
to the particle.
The densities of fluid and particle are equal, the
buoyant force on particle will counterbalance the
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buoyant force on particle will counterbalance the
external forces and particle will not move relative to
fluid.
Particle Movement Through a Fluid
For a rigid particle moving in fluid, there are three
forces acting on the body: gravity acting downward,
b t f ti d d i t d
(Continue)
buoyant force acting upward, and resistance or drag
force acting in opposite direction to particle motion.
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Derivation of Basic Equations for Rigid
Sphere
Consider a particle falling.
The buoyant force F
b
(N) on the particle is
g V
g m
F
p
p
b
=

=
(2-1)
y
b
( ) p
= m F
g
(2-2)
The gravitational or external force F
g
(N) is
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m : Mass of Particle, kg
: Density of liquid, kg/m
3
V
p
: Volume of particle, m
3
v : Velocity of falling, m/s

p
: Density of solid particle, kg/m
3
Derivation of Basic Equations for Rigid
Sphere
Consider a particle falling.
The drag force F (N) or frictional resistance on the
(Continue)
A
2
v
C F
2
D D
=
The drag force F
D
(N) or frictional resistance on the
body is proportional to the velocity head v
2
/2 of
fluid displaced by the moving body.
(2-3)
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C
D
: Drag coefficient
: Density of liquid, kg/m
3
v : Velocity of falling, m/s
A : Area, m
2
Derivation of Basic Equations for Rigid
Sphere
d
The resultant force on the body is F
g
-F
b
-F
D
. This
resultant force equal the force due to acceleration
(Continue)
D b g
F F F
dt
dv
m =
(2-4)
Substituting Eqs.(1)-(3) into (4),
A v C g m
mg
dv
m
2
D

= (2-5)
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2
g
dt
p

( )
Derivation of Basic Equations for Rigid
Sphere
The falling of the body consists of two periods:
the period of accelerated fall and the period of
constant velocity fall The initial acceleration
(Continue)
constant-velocity fall. The initial acceleration
period is usually very short. Hence, the period of
constant-velocity fall is the important. The
velocity is called the free settling velocity or
terminal velocity (v
t
)
To solve for the terminal velocity in Eq.(2-5), dv/dt =
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0 and equation becomes
( )


=
D p
p
t
C A
m g 2
v
(2-6)
Derivation of Basic Equations for Rigid
Sphere
For spherical particles
D
m
p
3
p
t
=
(2-7)
(Continue)
6
m =
4
D
A
2
p
t
=
( )
Substituting Eqs.(2-7) and (2-8) into Eq.(2-6), we
obtain
(2-8)
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( )

=
D
p p
t
C 3
gD 4
v
(2-9)
Drag Coefficient for Rigid Spheres
The drag coefficient for rigid spheres has been
shown to be a function of the Reynolds number.
In the laminar flow region the drag coefficient is
( )
2
Substituting Eqs.(10) into Eq.(9) for laminar flow, we
obtain
In the laminar-flow region, the drag coefficient is
Re p
D
N
24
v D
24
C =

=
(2-10)
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( )

=
18
gD
v
p
2
p
t
(2-11)
Drag Coefficient for Rigid Spheres
Drag coefficient for a rigid sphere.
(Continue)
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Differential Settling and
Separation of Solids in
Classification Classification
Differential Settling and Separation of
Solids in Classification
Devices that separate particles of differing
densities.
Sink and float methods. Devices for the separation
of solid particle into several fractions based upon
their rates of flow or settling through fluids are
known as classifier.
Differential settling methods. The separation of
solid particles into several size fractions based
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upon their settling velocities in a particular medium
is called differential settling or classification.
Sink and Float Methods
A liquid is used whose density is intermediate
between that of the heavy or high density material between that of the heavy or high density material
and light material. In liquid, heavy particle will not
float but settle out from medium, while the light
particles will float.
This method is independent of sizes of the particles
and depend only upon the densities of two materials.
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and depend only upon the densities of two materials.
Differential Settling
The density of medium is less than that of either of
the two substances to be separated.
Both light and heavy materials settle through the Both light and heavy materials settle through the
medium.
Disadvantage of this method if the light and heavy
materials both have a range of particle sizes is that
the smaller heavy particles settle at the same terminal
velocity as the larger light particles.
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Differential Settling
Consider two different materials: heavy density
material A and light density material B.
(Continue)
The terminal settling velocity of components A and
B can be written
(2-12) ( )

=
DA
pA pA
tA
C 3
gD 4
v
( )
(2 13)
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( )

=
DB
pB pB
tB
C 3
gD 4
v
(2-13)
Differential Settling
For particles of equal settling velocities, v
tA
= v
tB
,
equating Eq.(2-12) to (2-13)
(Continue)
(2-14)
( ) ( )
DB
pB pB
DA
pA pA
C
D
C
D

|
|
|

|
|
|
|

|
=
DA
pB pA
C
D (2-15)
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|
|
.

\
|
|
.

\

=
DB pA pB
C D
Differential Settling
For particles are spheres at very high Reynolds numbers
in the turbulent Newtons law region, C
D
is constant and
C
DA
=C
DB
, giving
(Continue)
C
DA
C
DB
, g g
(2-16)
0 . 1
pA
pB
pB
pA
D
D
|
|
.
|

\
|


=
For laminar Stokes law settling,
24
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=
tA pA
DA
v D
24
C (2-17)

=
tB pB
DB
v D
24
C
Differential Settling
Substituting Eq.(2-17) into Eq.(2-15) and rearranging
for Stokes law settling where v
tA
= v
tB
(Continue)
5 0
(2-18)
5 . 0
pA
pB
pB
pA
D
D
|
|
.
|

\
|


=
For transition flow between laminar and turbulent flow,
n
D
|
|

|
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(2-19)
pA
pB
pB
pA
D
D
|
|
.
|

\
|


= Where < n < 1
Differential Settling
For particle settling in the turbulent range. Eq.(2-16)
holds for equal settling velocities. For particles where
D D and settling is in the turbulent Newtons law
(Continue)
D
pA
= D
pB
and settling is in the turbulent Newtons law
region, combining Eqs. (2-12) and (2-13),
(2-20)
5 . 0
pB
pA
tB
tA
v
v
|
|
.
|

\
|


=
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pB tB
. \

Both A and B particles are
settling in the same
medium.
Settling and Separation of Two Materials
A and B in Newtons Law Region
In the size range D to D In the size range D
p1
to D
p2
,
a pure fraction of substance
B can be obtained, since no
particle A settle as slowly.
In the size range D
p3
to D
p4
,
a pure fraction of substance
A can be obtained, since no
B particles settle as fast as
A ti l
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Fig. 2-1 The plots for the relation of
velocity to diameter for A and B.
In the size range D
p1
to D
p3
,
A settle as rapidly as B and
the size range D
p2
to D
p4
,
forming a mixed fraction of
A and B.
A particles.
Example
Separation of a mixture of silica and galena.
A mixture of silica (B) and galena (A) solid particles
having a size range of 5.21 x 10
-6
m to 2.50 x 10
-5
m
is to be separated by hydraulic classification using
free settling conditions in water at 293.2 K. The
specific gravity of silica is 2.65 and that of galena is
7.5. Calculate the size range of the various fraction
obtained in the settling If the settling is in the
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obtained in the settling. If the settling is in the
laminar region, the drag coefficients will be
reasonably close to that for spheres.
Sedimentation and
Thickening
Mechanical of Sedimentation
When a dilute slurry is settled by gravity into a clear
fluid and a slurry of higher solids concentration, the
i ll d di i i process is called sedimentation or sometimes
thickening.
To illustrate the method for determining settling
velocities and mechanisms of settling, a batch
settling test is carried out by placing a uniform
concentration of slurry in a cylinder
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concentration of slurry in a cylinder.
Mechanical of Sedimentation
Fig. 2-2 Batch sedimentation results: (a) original uniform suspension, (b)
zones of settling after a given time, (c) compression of zone D after zones
B and C disappear, (d) clear liquid interface height z versus time of settling.
(Continue)
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(a)
(c)
(b) (d)
Determination of Settling Velocity
In Fig.2-2 (d), the height z of the clear liquid interface
is plotted versus time.
The velocity of settling, which is slope of the line, is
constant at first. The critical point is point C.
The settling velocity is determined by drawing a
tangent to the curve in Fig.2-2(d) at a given time t
1
,
with slope dz/dt = v
1
. At this point the height is z
1
and z
i
is the intercept of the tangent to the curve.
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i
Determination of Settling Velocity
The setting velocity
z z
1 i

(2 21)
(Continue)
0 t
v
1
1 i
1

= (2-21)
The concentration
o 0 i 1
z c z c =
(2-22)
or
o
i
o
1
c
z
z
c
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
FLUID FLOW : DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
C
o
: The original slurry concentration in kg/m
3
at z
o
and t = 0
i
z
. \
Equipment for Settling
and Sedimentation
Simple Gravity Settling Tank
A simple gravity settler for
removing by settling a
dispersed liquid phase from
h h another phase.
The velocity horizontally to
the right must be slow
enough to allow time for the
smaller droplets to rise from
the bottom to the interface
or from the top down to the
interface and coalesce.
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Fig. 2-3 Gravity settling tanks:
settler for liquid-liquid dispersion
Simple Gravity Settling Tank
Dust-laden air enters at one
end of a large, boxlike
chamber.
Particles settle toward the
floor at their terminal
settling velocities.
The air must remain in the
chamber a sufficient length
of time so that the particles
reach the floor of the
h b
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Fig. 2-4 Gravity settling tanks:
dust-settling chambers.
chamber.
Equipment for Classification
The simplest type of
classifier is a large tang is
subdivided into several
sections.
Fig. 2-5 Simple gravity settling classifier.
sect o s
A liquid slurry feed enters
the tank containing a size
range of solid particles.
The larger, faster-settling
particles settle to the bottom
close to the entrance and the
slower-settling particles
l h b l h l l f h
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settle to the bottom close to
the exit.
The vertical baffles in the
tank allow for the collection
of several fractions.
The linear velocity of the entering
feed decrease as a result of the
enlargement of the cross-section
area at the entrance.
Spitzkasten Classifier
Fig. 2-6 Spitzkasten gravity settling chambers.
Consists of a series of conical vessels of increasing diameter in the
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Consists of a series of conical vessels of increasing diameter in the
direction of flow.
The slurry enters the first vessel, where the largest and fastest-settling
particles are separated.
In each vessel the velocity of upflowing inlet water is controlled to give
the desired size range for each vessel .
Sedimentation Thickener
The separation of a dilute slurry by gravity settling
into a clear fluid and a slurry of higher solids
i i ll d di i concentration is called sedimentation
Industrially, sedimentation operations are often
carried out continuously in equipment called
thickeners.
A continuous thickener with a slowly revolving rake
for removing the sludge or thickened slurry.
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Sedimentation Thickener
Fig. 2-5 Continuous thickener.
(Continue)
The slurry is fed at the center of the tank several feet below the surface
of the liquid. Around the top edge of the tank is a clear-liquid-overflow
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q p g q
outlet.
The rank serves to scrape the sludge toward the center of the bottom for
removal. This gentle stirring aids in removing water from the sludge.
In the thickener the entering slurry spreads radially through the cross
section of thickener and liquid flows upward and out the overflow..
Sedimentation Thickener
Fig. 2-7 Continuous thickener.
(Continue)
The solids settle in the upper zone by free settling.
Below this dilute settling zone is the transition zone, in which the
FLUID FLOW : DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
Below this dilute settling zone is the transition zone, in which the
concentration of solids increases rapidly, and then compression zone.
A clear overflow can be obtained if the upward velocity of fluid in dilute
zone is less than the minimum settling velocity of solids in this zone.
The settling rates are quite slow in thickened zone, which consists of a
compression of solids with liquid being forced upward through solids.