Sedimentation

Bonn Axell Moran*, Mark Joseph Reyes, Leonard Sagaral

Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan, Chemical Engineering Department, 9000 Corrales St., Cagayan de Oro
City
*moranbonn@gmail.com
Abstract Sedimentation is the separation of suspended material from a slurry by gravitational forces acting on the particles. Settling of
suspended materials is accomplished by decreasing the velocity of the fluid being treated to a point below which the particles will no
longer remain in suspension. The objective of the experiment was to determine the relationship between the setting rate and solids
concentration, to investigate the settling characteristics of a certain suspension, and to explain the mechanism of sedimentation. Three
slurry concentrations 10, 20, and 30 grams of chalk per liter were subjected to gravity settling into a sedimentation apparatus for 15
minutes. From the data gathered, the researchers were not able to draw a conclusion about the relationships of the settling velocity and solid
concentrations since it varies from 10g/L, 20 g/L and 30 g/L. The researchers, however, conclude that the approach of the experiment, as well
as, the apparatus was ineffective.
Keywords: sedimentation, gravitational settling, slurry concentration, settling velocity
I. INTRODUCTION
Many mechanical separations are based on the
sedimentation of solid particles or liquid drops through a fluid,
impelled by the force of gravity or by centrifugal force. Settling of
suspended materials is accomplished by decreasing the velocity of
the fluid being treated to a point below which the particles will no
longer remain in suspension. Applications of settling and
sedimentation include removal of solids from liquid sewage wastes,
settling of crystals from the mother liquor, settling of food particles
from a liquid food, and settling of a slurry from a soybean leaching
process. This experiment deals with gravity settling in which slurry
of chalk dust is separated into a clear fluid and slurry of higher solid
content. (1)
When dilute slurry is settled by gravity into a clear fluid
and slurry of higher solids concentration, the process is called
sedimentation or sometimes thickening. To illustrate the method for
determining settling velocities and the mechanisms of settling, a
batch settling test is carried out by placing a uniform concentration
of the slurry in a tall cylinder. At the start, as shown in Figure 1-a,
all the particles settle by free settling in suspension zone B. The
particles in zone B settle at a uniform rate at the start, and a clear
liquid zone A appears in Figure 1-b. The height z drops at a constant
rate. Also, zone D begins to appear, which contains the settled
particles at the bottom. Zone C is a transition layer whose solids
content varies from that in the zone B to that in zone D. After
further settling, zones B and C disappear, as shown in Figure 1-c.
Then compression first appears; this moment is called the critical
point. During compression, liquid is expelled upward from zone D
and the thickness of zone D decreases.

In Figure 2, the height z of the clear-liquid interface is plotted

versus time. As shown, the velocity of settling, which is the slope
of the line, is constant at first. The critical point is shown at point
C. Since sludge vary greatly in their settling rates, experimental
rates for each sludge are necessary.

The settling velocity v, is determined by drawing a

tangent to the curve in figure 2 at a given time t1, with slope dz/dt
= v1. At this point the height z1, and zi is the intercept of the
tangent to the curve. Then,

1=

z i z1
t 1t i

Eq.1

The concentration of c1 is, therefore, the average

concentration of the suspension if zi is the height of this slurry.
This is calculated by

z i c L=C 0 Z 0

Eq. 2

where c0 is the original slurry concentration in kg/m3 at z0 height

and t=0. This is repeated for other times, and a plot of settling
velocity versus concentration is made. (2)

15

II. EXPERIMENTAL

52.14285
7

Table 2: Concentration of slurry at 20 g per 1 L of water

Time, t
(min.)

Height, H
(cm)

Settling
velocity, v
(cm/min)

Solids
Concentration, c
(g/L)

36.5

20

26

2.1

28.076923

10

15

2.2

48.666667

15

1.2

81.111111

Table 3: Concentration of slurry at 30 g per 1 L of water

Time, t (min.)

Height, H
(cm)

Settling
velocity, v
(cm/min)

Solids
Concentration
, c (g/L)

36.5

30

28

1.7

10

18

15

2.6

39.10714
3
60.83333
3
219

Figure 3: Plot of Interface Height vs. Elapse Time at different

concentrations

A mass of 20 g of chalk dust was weighed and was

dissolved in a liter of water. These components were introduced in
the sedimentation apparatus and were mixed well. At the moment
the apparatus was placed in the rack, initial height of the slurry
was measured and recorded using a meter stick; simultaneously, a
timer was turned on to distinguish the time it will be measured
accurately .
At a time t, the height of slurry (separation attained) will
be measured. Repeat the procedure with different slurry
concentration by weighing 25 g of chalk dust.

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 1: Concentration of slurry at 10 g per 1 L of water
Time, t (min.)

Height, H
(cm)

Settling
velocity, v
(cm/min)

0
5

36.5
22.5

0
2.8

10

12

2.1

Solids
Concentration
, c (g/L)

10
16.22222
2
30.41666
7

Based from Figure 3 above, the relationship between the

interference height and time duration is inversely proportional,
which means that as time increases, interference height decreases.
Based from Figure 1 in the introduction which is the literature, only
the concentration, 10g/L follows the trend fairly reasonably. These
erroneous results reflects the mishandling and the effectivity of the
sedimentation apparatus used.

Figure 4: Plot of Settling Velocity vs. Concentration for 10, 20 and 30 g/L

are near each other. Further lowering the height of interference as

time elapse would result to complete settling in which 2
distinguishable layers were visible. A clear liquid zone and the
compaction zone. Compaction zone is the zone in which the
particles is at rest and the particles tend to be adjacent other. This
behavior is same for all the concentrations applied.
IV. CONCLUSION
Based from the data gathered, the researchers were not
able to draw a conclusion about the relationships of the settling
velocity and solid concentrations since it varies from 10g/L, 20 g/L
and 30 g/L. The researchers, however, conclude that the approach of
the experiment, as well as, the apparatus was ineffective.

In figure 4 above, the three concentrations shows diversified

relationship between the settling velocity and solid concentrations.
For 10g/L, the relationship is inversely proportional, which implies
that as the solids concentration increased, the settling velocity
V. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
decreases. For 20 g/L, the correlation was a mixed, it was both
inversely and directly proportional. On the other hand, 30 g/L
The researchers would like to thank Engr. Rose May
resulted a directly proportional which entailed that as solid
Igdon
for
sharing her knowledge and sparing her time to
concentrations increased, the settling velocity. These erroneous
watch over us through this experiment. The researchers
results recorded are the effects of human and equipment error.
would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to our laboratory
Carl Angelo Fallares, for keeping the
Based from literature which can be found in figure 1 in the technician, Mr.
introduction, the settling velocity is the tangent of the curve between laboratory in good condition and for helping us with the things
the interference height and time duration. This precisely means that we need. This experiment would have not been possible
the settling velocity at any time, is the derivative of -dz/dt which is without their help. Lastly, we thank one another for supporting
the definition of derivative of a curve. As the solids is mixed each other and always willing to help and give our best
thoroughly with water then transfer the slurry in the sedimentation suggestions. It would have been difficult to carry out the
apparatus and record the initial height of the slurry and allow experiment without each of us working together.
gravitational settling of the dust particles. The solid particles then
were distributed around the container, thus particles dispersed more
and allows the settling towards the bottom faster because few
VI. REFERENCES
collisions occur. The height of interface lowers because as time
increases, particles tends to settle at the bottom at gradual rate and
Geankoplis, C.J. Principles of Transport
slowly appeared the clear liquid zone at the top of the interface [1]
Processes
and Separation Processes. 4th Ed. Pearson
height. This clear liquid zone indicates that almost all of the particles
Education,
Inc.
2003.
at that zone were started to settle and the interface height started to
decrease, thus lowering the area in which particles can move freely.
Welty,J.R. Fundamentals of Momentum, Heat,
As the area was lowered, the settling velocity would decrease over [2]
and
Mass
Transfer. 5th Ed. John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
time because the particles tend to move slowly in which the particles
2007.

Appendix:
Sample Calculat ions:
Trial 1
Solid concentration- 10g/L
Time, t (min.)

Height, H (cm)

0
5
10
15

36.5
22.5
12
7

Solution:
v
v

1=

zi z1
t 1t i

1=

36.522.5
=2.8 cm/min
50

z i c L=c o z o
22.5 c L =(10)(36.5)
c L =16.22 g / L
PROBLEMS:
Determine the area and the depth of a continuous thickener that is to handle 100 tons of solids per
day. Initial solids concentration in the feed is 3% by weight and the final concentration is to be 40% by
weight.

Given:
xi = 0.03
Required: A and H

Solution:

solid = 2.63 g/mL

xf = 0.4

liquid = 1.00 g/mL

z i c L=c o z o
c o z o 0.03176
=
zi
0.4
c L =13.2 cm
mixture =0.4 ( 2.63 ) +0.6 ( 1.00 )
c L=

mixture =2.052 g /mL

tons
day 106 g
0.4
1 ton

100
Q u=

( )(

1 day
1mL
cm3
=84,605.8
1440 mins 2.052 g
min

)(