WASTE WATER TREATMENT ASSIGNMENT 1 2016

1. HYDRAULIC CONTROL METHODS OF KEEPING CONSTANT

VELOCITY UNDER VARYING FLOW CONDTIONS

1.1 GRIT CHAMBERS

The grit chambers are the sedimentation basins placed either before the screens or after the
screens, but certainly, prior to the primary sedimentation tank. The grit chamber removes the
inorganic grit, such as sand, gravel, and other mineral matter that has a nominal diameter of
0.15 to 0.20 mm or larger. Actually, grit will also include smaller mineral particles that may
settle, as well as non-putrescible organic matter, such as rags, coffee grounds, vegetable
cuttings, ash clinker, wood pieces, and tea leaves. Even though, some of the grit components,
such as coffee grounds are organic, they are essentially non-biodegradable over time spans
involved here in grit collection and disposal. The quality and quantity of grit in the sewage
determine the design factors and choice of grit removal method.
Generally, grit chambers are designed to remove all particles with a nominal diameter of
0.02mm having settling velocity of about 2.3cm/s (at 10ºc); although some grit removal
devices are designed to remove 0.15mm sand particles having settling velocity of about
1.3cm/s (at 10°c).
Grit chambers or Grit channels, as they are sometimes called, are designed to have constant
velocity horizontal flow at varying discharges. The constant velocity is achieved by
providing a velocity control section, such as a proportional flow weir at the effluent end of
a rectangular chamber; or a parshall flume (venturi flume) in a parabolic (or V) shaped
chamber, as discussed below:
1.1.1 CONSTANT VELOCITY HORIZONTAL FLOW GRIT CHAMBERS
Such a grit channel is an enlarged channel or a long basin, in which the cross-section is
increased, so as to reduce the flow velocity of sewage to such an extent that the heavy
inorganic materials do settle down by gravity, and the lighter organic materials remain in
suspension, and, thus, go out along with the effluent of the grit basin. The important point in
the design of the grit basins is that the flow velocity should neither be too low as to cause the
settling of lighter organic matter, nor should it be so high as not to cause the settlement of the
entire silt and grit present in sewage. The flow velocity should also be enough to scour out
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the settled organic matter, and reintroduce it into the flow stream. Such a critical scouring
velocity is, in fact, given by the modified Shield's formula, which states that
Critical scour velocity
√ ( )

For grit particles of 0.2mm (d), the above formula gives critical velocity values of 0.11 to
0.25m/sec. This fixes the limits for optimum flow velocity for design of grit basins. In
practice, a flow velocity of about 0.25 to 0.3m/sec is adopted for the design of grit basins.
In order to prevent large increase in flow velocity at peak hours due to increased discharge,
and thus, to avoid the scouring of the settled grit particles from the bottom, it is preferable to
design the grit chambers for D.W.F. (Dry weather flow), and to provide additional units for
taking increased discharge at peak hours. If, however, a single unit is to be designed, or there
are large variations in discharge, then the grit chamber is designed for generating optimum
velocity at peak discharge and a velocity control section, such as a proportional flow weir or
a parshall flume venturi flume), is provided at the lower (effluent) end of the grit channel,
which helps in varying the flow area of the section in direct proportion to the flow, and thus,
helps to maintain a constant velocity in the channel (within the permissible limits of ±5 to
10% over the designed value), even at varying discharges.
When a proportioning flow weir is used as a velocity control device, then a rectangular cross-
section is required for the grit channel; but however, when a parshall flume is used as a
velocity control device, then a parabolic cross-section is required for the grit channel, in order
to keep the flow velocity constant, as shown in Figure 1 (a) and (b).

Figure 1 Velocity control sections for horizontal grit channels

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2. DESIGN OF A RECTANGULAR GRIT CHAMBER PROVIDED WITH A

PROPORTIONING WEIR AT EFFLUENT END
The depth and detention time provided for a grit basin are inter dependent, and are based on
the considerations of settling velocity of inorganic particles through water. A detention time
of about 40 to 60 seconds is generally sufficient for a water depth of about 1 to 1.8m. After
fixing the depth and the detention time, we can easily design the dimensions of a rectangular
chamber, as its length will then be equal to velocity * detention time.
As stated earlier, generally two to three separate chambers in parallel (as shown in figure 2)
should be provided; one to pass the low flow, and the other to pass (along with the first of
course) the high flow. This will also help in manual cleaning of the chambers, as one unit can
work, while the other is shut down for cleaning.

Figure 2 Modem rectangular grit chamber (not showing scraper arrangements)

The grit chambers can be cleaned periodically at about 3 weeks interval, either manually,
mechanically or hydraulically Hand cleaning is done only in case of smaller plants (of
capacity less than about 4.5 million liters per day), while mechanical or hydraulic cleaning is
adopted for larger plants. In manual cleaning, grit is removed by shovels, etc., by hand; in
mechanical cleaning, grit is removed with the help of machines; and in hydraulic cleaning,

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grit is removed by the force of water -jet directed from a central point and removed through
the pipes in the side walls or bottom of the chamber.
The removed grit may contain some organic matter, and can be washed prior to its disposal, if
necessary, by using certain patented machines, and the wash water returned to the plant
influent. Washed grit may still contain about 1 to 5% of putrescible organic matter.
The silt and grit, etc. removed by the grit chambers can be easily disposed of either by burial
or burning (incineration) or for raising law lying areas by dumping. It cannot be used for
preparation of concrete, as it contains sufficient organic matter.
3. DESIGN OF PARABOLIC GRIT CHAMBER PROVIDED WITH A PARSHALL FLUME
3.1 PARSHALL FLUME
A parshall flume, also called a venturi-flume, is a horizontally constricted vertical throat in an
open channel, as shown in Figure 3 Such a venturi-flume, as we know, can be used as a
discharge measuring device, and also as a velocity control device. This device is made use of
for its latter purpose in a grit channel. .
The venturi-flume, as a velocity control device, is preferable (to the proportional flow weir,
etc., as it involves negligible head loss, and can also work under submerged conditions for
certain limits.

Figure 3 Parshall flume

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These limits of submergence are: 50% in case of 0 .15m throat width, and 70% for wider
throat widths up to 1m. Another advantage of a venturi-flume is, that: one control section can
be installed for 2 to 3 grit chambers. Moreover, the venturi-flume is a self-cleaning device,
and there is no problem of clogging.
The discharge passing through a parshall flume of the type shown in figure 3 is related to the
water head (i.e. upstream water depth) by the formula:
( )
Where, W = the width of the throat in m
Q = Flow in m3/sec
Ha = Depth of flow in upstream leg of flume at one third point in m.
The above equation is applicable to flumes of 0.3m to 3m in width.

3.2 PARABOLIC GRIT CHANNEL

In order to maintain a constant horizontal flow velocity ( ) through a grit channel, we have
to ensure that the cross-sectional area of the channel changes with the changed discharge in
direct proportion to the change in discharge. Thus, if x is taken along the width side and y is
taken along the depth side of a channel x-section, then the cross-section must be such that

∫
Also, the discharge through the velocity control section, placed at the down end of the grit
channel, in general, is given by the equation

Where, n is the discharge coefficient of the control section; 1.5 for venturi-flume, and 1 for
proportional flow weir (also called Sutro weir).
Equating Q from equations (9.4) and (9.5), we get

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For a parshall flume, n = 1.5,

Hence, when parshall flume is used as the velocity control device, then the channel section
should be governed by equation (x representing width, and y representing depth);
which is a parabolic section.
Hence, a parabolic channel section has to be designed, when we provide a parshall flume as a
velocity control device. The method of designing the dimensions of a parabolic grit channel
is explained in example 9.4.
If a rectangular channel is used instead of a parabolic channel, then its width is constant:
i.e. x = k. Then, using equation (9.6),

Hence, for a rectangular channel section, we need a control section, such as a Sutroweir,
whose discharge equation is of the form where K is a constant.

2. SETTLING COLUMN ANALYSIS

Settling tests are conducted on wastewater samples to characterize how the particulate
material in the sample will behave under the influence of gravity. A typical settling test
involves collecting an effluent water sample, placing it in a tall clear column, and observing
how the particles in the sample settle over time. These empirical tests provide the engineer
with settling data specific to the waste stream under investigation and provide a basis for the
rational design.

In practice, with wastewater containing mixtures of particles of different settling velocities,

experimental analysis is required to determine the overall removal of particles by a
sedimentation basin with a given overflow rate. The common experimental analysis is the
settling column test, in which a sample of the wastewater is placed in a column and
thoroughly mixed to create a uniform concentration of suspended particles throughout the

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depth of the column (Figure 4). The concentration of suspended solids is then measured from
a sampling port near the bottom of the column over a range of time intervals, and percent
removal is calculated by comparing the concentration at each sampling time to the initial
concentration. The settling velocities of the particles can be calculated by dividing the
column depth by the time of sampling. Plotting the settling velocities versus the fraction
remaining in suspension yields a curve similar to the example shown in Figure 5

The fraction of particles removed is then expressed as

Where (1-x0) represents the fraction of particles with settling velocity greater than the
overflow rate, and the integral part of the equation represents the fraction of particles that
settle slower than the overflow rate, for which only a fraction will be removed in the ratio of
vs./vo. This integral can be calculated manually by estimating the area above the curve in
plots of the form of Figure 4.7, up to the fraction corresponding to the overflow rate.

Figure 4. Class I (Discrete) settling column test apparatus. Figure 5 Example data
from a Class I settling column test.

For cases where Class II settling predominates (Figure 4.8), e.g. primary sedimentation in
wastewater treatment, flocculation occurs during sedimentation due to:

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Differences in settling velocity of particles, as faster settling particles overtake slower

ones and coalesce
Velocity gradients within the liquid causing particles in regions of higher velocities to
overtake those in slower-moving regions.

The settling column test apparatus for a Class II design is shown in Figure 7 As in the Class I
test, the test begins with the wastewater being mixed so that there is an approximately
uniform concentration of particles throughout the column at the start of the test. Sampling is
then conducted from each of the ports at different depths over a range of time intervals. From
calculation of per cent removal at each depth and time and interpolation, a plot of iso-removal
lines can be constructed (Figure 6).

Figure 6 Schematic representation of Class 2 flocculent settling. Figure 7 A Class II

(Flocculent) settling column apparatus.

Figure 8 Example percept is removal data from a Class II settling column test.

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2.1 BATCH SETTLING COLUMN TEST FOR TYPE ONE SETTLING

Depth of column is not a factor in the analysis (about 2 m)

Diameter of column is about 200 mm

Figure 9 batch settling column test for type 1 settling

Procedure:

1. Height of the port is measured

2. Su Mixed completely to ensure uniform distribution of particles

3. At time=0, a portion of the sample is removed from the port

TSS analysis is carried out in order to determine the initial TSS concentration

4. The suspension is allowed to settle

5. Intermittent samples are removed at appropriate time intervals

For each sample withdrawn,

TSS analysis must be performed in order to determine the fraction remaining in suspension at
each time interval

6. Settling velocity at each time interval (V=H/t; V’=H/t’; V’’=H /t’’….) fraction with
settling velocity less than stated vs. terminal settling velocity

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2.2 TYPE 2 – FLOCCULENT SETTLING (SETTLING OF FLOCCULENT PARTICLES IN

DILUTE SUSPENSION)
Chemical precipitates formed in coagulation and other destabilization processes tend to
agglomerate while settling as a result of inter particle collisions As a result;

their sizes change continually (increases)

their shapes change continually
their specific gravity change (as a result of entrapment of water in interstitial spaces)

As their size increases, they settle at a faster velocity STOKE’s law not applicable impossible
to develop a general formula for determining settling velocities of flocculent particles. To
determine the settling characteristics suspension of flocculent particles batch settling column
test must be performed. In this case, Minimum Diameter of column about 150 - 200 mm (to
minimize sidewall effects)

Height of column is the depth of the proposed tank whereas Sampling ports are provided at
equal intervals in height.

Figure 10 of column test for flocculent settling

Procedure:

1. Suspension to be tested is placed in the column

Mixed completely to ensure uniform distribution of particles

3. At time=0, a portion of the sample is in order to determine the initial TSS

concentration

4. The suspension is allowed to settle

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5. At periodic time intervals, samples are removed through the ports located in different
heights. For each sample withdrawn at each depth and for each time, TSS analysis must be
performed in order to determine the fraction remaining in suspension at each time interval

6. Percent removals Xij= mass fraction removed (at ith depth at jth time interval) = (1-
Cij/C0) x 100 & 7. Percent removal lines (is removal lines) are drawn by interpolation.

Figure 11 iso removal line from settling analysis

To find the total removal at any chosen time;

% removal of completely removed fraction and % removal of partially removed fraction is

determined as below step.

Initially; A vertical line from the chosen time is projected upward.

% removal of completely removed fraction

% read at chosen time % of particles that are completely removed. And % read at chosen
time is % of particles having Average settling velocity greater than Design settling velocity.
Also Median lines are drawn between the percent removal lines. Average depth reached read
from the intersection point of vertical line and drawn median line

% partially removed= average depth reached by fraction x Fraction

Total depth

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REFERENCES
1. Wastewater Engineering, Treatment, disposal and reuse, Fourth edition, Metcalfe and
Eddy, McGraw- Hill.
2. Introduction to Environmental Engineering, Third edition, Davis M. and Cornwell D.,
McGraw-Hill.
3. Wastewater Engineering, Treatment and Reuse – Metcalf and Eddy, (2003), 4th
Edition, Tata McGraw Hill Edition, Tata McGraw Hill Publishing Co. Ltd.

4. Environmental Engineering Unit Operations, by Assist. Prof. Bilge Alpaslan

Kocamemi Marmara University Department of Environmental Engineering Istanbul,
Turkey

5. Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems March 22, 2010 Edition,
Environmental and public health through leadership, partnership and science.

6. Small and decentralized wastewater Management systems, Crites R. and

Tchobanoglous G., McGraw-Hill.

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