Department of Civil Engineering-I.I.T.

Delhi
CEL 212: Environmental Engineering
Second Semester 2011-2012
Some  practice  problems  on  Sedimentation  (pl  ensure  the  correctness  of  calculations)  
Home Work 5 Solution
   
Q1. A settling analysis is run on a type 1 suspension. The column is 1.8 m deep and data are presented
below. What will be the theoretical removal efficiency in a settling basin with a loading rate of 25 m3/d/
(m2)? What parameters need to be changed to increase overall removal?
Time (min) 0 60 80 100 130 200 240 420
Conc. (mg/L) 300 189 180 168 156 111 78 27
Mass fraction =189/300 =180/300 =168/300 =156/300 =111/300 =78/300= =27/300
remaining =0.63 =0.6 =0.56 =0.52 =0.37 =0.26 =0.09
Velocity (m/min) =1.8/60 0.0225 0.018 0.0138 0.009 0.0075 0.0043
=0.03

Solution: As discussed in the class and example given in the text book.
Velocity for which tank need to be designed = 25 m3/d/ (m2) = 25m/d =0.017 m/min (this velocity lies between 100
min and 130 min of sampling (or between 0.56 and 0.52 mass fraction).
Mass fraction corresponding to 0.017 velocity = (0.56+0.52)/2=0.54 (assume approximate values)
(This is X0 value). Now plot velocity versus X (see below):
X (mass fraction of remaining

0.7
0.6
0.5
particles)

0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04
vel (m/min)

Figure 1. X versus velocity (m/min)

Divide 0.54 in five parts, so ∆x=0.54/5=0.108

For every interval determine velocity for mid point (say Vi) and then calculate for remaining portions.
 

1
  
 
 Q2. Revisit Q1. Consider a scenario where we have four discrete particles in beginning (settling
  velocity=0.00017 m/min.). After settling for Z1 depth, two particles come closer and start settling
together (now we have only two discrete particles settling from depth Z1). Further settling of two
discrete particles (approximated for modeling purposes) for Z2 (Z2>Z1) depth from the top of the
column, all particles come closer and started settling together as a single particle only (now we have only
one discrete particle settling starting from depth Z2). Model the settling process of these particles. Is it
possible to model removal of these particles in the settling column and calculate overall removal? What
additional information you would like to have, if any?

Solution:
Till Z1 depth from top, all 4 particles settle as type 1 settling and tier overall removal can be determined using
method mentioned in Q1 above. At Z1 depth now we have 2 particles which are formed after aggregation of 4
particles. Now these 2 particles will again settle as discrete particles between Z2 and Z1 depth from top and it
can be modeled as discrete settling. Same is true for depth after Z2 also, where we have one particle settling.
Following information is required:
Diameter of individual discrete particles in beginning; diameter of particles at depth Z1 and Z2 from top;
Water characteristics and their specific gravity information. upon having these information, settling of
particles can be modeled and overall removal of suspension can be determined.

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 Q5. For a flocculants suspension, determine the removal efficiency for a basin 10 ft deep with an
overflow rate V0 equal to 10 ft/h, using the laboratory settling data? Which parameters need to be varied
to increase removal efficiency? [15 points]

 
2

 
 
 
 

Q6. A settling column analysis is run on a type-I suspension. The settling column is 2 m tall and the
initial concentration of the well-mixed sample is 650 mg/L. Results of the analysis are below:
Time, min. 0 58 77 91 114 154 250
conc. remaining, mg/L 650 560 415 325 215 130 52
What is the theoretical efficiency of the settling basin that receives this suspension if the loading rate is
2.4×10-2 m/min? Which parameters need to be varied to increase removal efficiency? [5 points]
 we are having high design velocity, X0 will be higher and lies between 0.63 and 0.60. Now use the
methodology used in Q1 for solving this problem.

Q5. What is the basic difference between type-I and type-2 settling?
Solution: As per lecture notes.

Q6. Using the following settling test data, determine the efficiency of a settling tank in removing flocculating
particles if the depth is 8 ft (i.e., 8/3.3 m) and the detention time is 30 minutes? What parameters need to be
changed to increase overall removal?

Solution:
for 30 minute detetion time, say 45% removal line passes from 8ft depth (assumed). this portion will be 100%
removal (so r0=45%). now particles with higher removals will also removed but at ratio of Zi/Z0 along with
verticle line passing through 30 minutes detention time.

∆ r(dfference in depth of mid-point for this incremental Zi∆ r (in ft)

removal) removal from top Zi (in ft)
=50%-45%=5% 7 ft (approximated) =5%*7= 0.35
=60%-50%=10% 4.1 ft =10%*4.1 = 0.41
=70%-60%=10% 3.0 ft =10%*3 = 0.30
=80%-70%=10% 1.5ft =10%*1.5 = 0.15
=100%-80%=20% 0.5 =20%*0.5 = 0.10
total =1.31

removal efficiencty (R) =r0 + remaining portion = 0.45+ (1.31 ft)/(8ft) = 0.45+0.164
=0.614 (i.e., 61.4%) (answer)
If I want to increase removal effieicny in this settling, what modifications do I need to do to increase suspended
solids removal?
 
 
3
 
 
Q6. A settling column analysis is run on a type-I suspension. The settling column is 2 m tall and the
initial concentration of the well-mixed sample is 650 mg/L. Results of the analysis are below:
Time, min. 0 58 77 91 114 154 250
conc. remaining, mg/L 650 560 415 325 215 130 52
What is the theoretical efficiency of the settling basin that receives this suspension if the loading rate is
2.4×10-2 m/min? Which parameters need to be varied to increase removal efficiency? [5 points]

 
Q7. Can 100 nm nanoparticles in wastewater be removed using sedimentation tank in a municipal
wastewater treatment? [10 points]
Hint: See lecture notes; no as it will require long time (>4 hours), so practically no.

Q8. Revisit Example 4-2 (Peavy et al., Text Book). Consider a scenario where we have four discrete
particles in beginning (settling velocity=0.00017 m/min.). After settling for Z1 depth, two particles come
closer and start settling together (now we have only two discrete particles settling from depth Z1). Further