CIVIL AND WATER ENGINEERING (ECW3104)

PRESENTATION TITTLE :PRELIMINARY GRIT REMOVAL

LECTURERS : ENGINEER F MUDHINDI & S NCUBE

BY GROUP 10
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GROUP MEMBERS
NKOSANA NDEBELE N02215813Q
BUHLE NDEBELE N02212369V
MERCY MANO N02221190T
SEBASTIAN DUBE N02217269X
HILLARY DZINGIRA N02214031N

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 OBjECTIVES

• Definition of terms
• General concept of grit removal
• Importance
• Common grit removal techniques
• Factors to consider when selecting a system and types of systems
• Design Considerations
• Example 3
 WHAT IS GRIT ?
• Grit is heavy mineral matter consisting of a variety of particles including sand, gravel, cinder,

and other heavy, discrete inorganic materials found in waste water.

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 WHAT IS GRIT REMOVAL?
• This is the process of removing sand, gravel and silt from wastewater.

• Removal of grit prevents unnecessary abrasion and wear of mechanical

equipment, grit deposition in pipelines and channels, and accumulation of
grit in anaerobic digesters and aeration basins.

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OTHER TERMS
Residence time :The amount of time the waste water spends in the grit chamber allowing for
the separation of grit particles from the water.

Scour velocity :The velocity of water required to transport grit particles .

Settling velocity :The rate at which the grit particles settle at the bottom of the grit chamber
Vortex action :The rotational motion of water within a grit chamber which helps to separate
grit particles from the waste water.

Short circuit :A condition where the waste water flows takes the a shortcut through the grit
chamber by passing the intended flow path and reducing the effectiveness of the grit removal
process.
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 GENERAL CONCEPT Of GRIT REMOVAL
• Wastewater from various sources, such as municipal sewage or industrial processes, flows
into the grit removal system.

• Waste water is accelerated by gravity ,centrifugal force or vortex action to separate heavy
material from waste water.

• The separated grit particles are collected in a container or hopper for further treatment or
for disposal.

• The treated wastewater, now free from grit particles, flows out of the grit removal system
and into further treatment processes, such as primary clarification, biological treatment, or
tertiary treatment. 7
COMMON GRIT REMOVAL TECHNIQUES

1. Vortex-type

2. Aerated grit chamber

3. Detritus tanks (short-term sedimentation basins),

4. Horizontal flow grit chambers (velocity-controlled channel)

5. Hydrocyclones (cyclonic inertial separation).

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IMPORTANCE Of GRIT REMOVAL IN
WASTEWATER TREATMENTS
• Protect your device.

• Prevent clogging

• Improve the effectiveness of treatment

• Reduce wear and tear

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 IMPORTANCE Of GRIT REMOVAL IN
WASTEWATER TREATMENTS CONT…

• Prevent damage to downstream processes

• Improve water quality

• Reduce environmental impact

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 AERATED GRIT CHAMBERS
• In aerated grit chambers, grit is removed by causing the wastewater to flow in a
spiral pattern.

• Air is introduced in the grit chamber along one side, causing a perpendicular spiral
velocity pattern to flow through the tank.

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• Heavier particles are accelerated and diverge from the streamlines, dropping to the bottom
of the tank, while lighter organic particles are suspended and eventually carried out of the
tank

• When wastewater flows into the grit chamber, particles settle to the bottom according to

their size, specific gravity, and the velocity of roll in the tank.

• A velocity that is too high will result in lower grit removal efficiencies, while a velocity that
is too low will result in increased removal of organic materials

• Proper adjustment of air velocity will result in nearly 100 percent removal of the desired
particle size and a well-washed grit
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 ADVANTAGES AND
DISADVANTAGES Of AERATED
GRIT CHAMBER
Advantages

1. Consistent removal efficiency over a wide flow range.

2. A relatively low putrescible organic content may be removed with a well controlled rate of aeration.

3. Performance of downstream units may be improved by using pre-aeration to reduce septic conditions in
incoming wastewater.

4. Aerated grit chambers are versatile, allowing for chemical addition, mixing, pre aeration, and flocculation.

Disadvantages

1. Potentially harmful volatile organics and odors may be released from the aerated grit chamber.

2. Aerated grit chambers also require more power than other grit removal processes, and maintenance and
control of the aeration system requires additional labor. 13
DIAGRAM SHOWING AN AERETED GRIT CHAMBER

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 VORTEX TYPE GRIT
CHAMBER

• The vortex-type grit chamber consists of a cylindrical tank in

which the flow enters tangentially, creating a vortex flow pattern.

• Grit settles by gravity into the bottom of the tank (in a grit
hopper) while effluent exits at the top of the tank.

• The grit that settles into the grit hopper may be removed by a grit
pump or an air lift pump.

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ADVANTAGES Of VORTEX TYPE
1. These systems remove a high percentage of fine grit, up to 73 percent of 140-mesh (0.11
mm/0.004 in diameter) size.

2. Vortex grit removal systems have a consistent removal efficiency over a wide flow range.

3. There are no submerged bearings or parts that require maintenance.

4. The “footprint” (horizontal dimension) of a vortex grit removal system is small making it
advantageous when space is an issue.

5. Head loss through a vortex system is minimal, typically 6 mm (0.25 in). These systems are
also energy efficient. 16
DETRITUS TANK
• A detritus tank (or square tank de-gritter) is a constant-
level, short-detention settling tank.

• These tanks require a grit-washing step to remove

organic material.

• One design option includes a grit auger and a rake that

removes and classifies grit from the grit sum.

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HYDROCYCLONE

• Hydrocyclones are used to remove grit and suspended solids directly

from wastewater flow by pumping at a head ranging from 3.7 to 9 m

(12 to 30 ft).

• Heavier grit and suspended solids collect on the sides and bottom of

the cyclone due to induced centrifugal forces, while scum and

lighter solids are removed from the center through the top of the

cyclone.
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 DISAVANTAGESANDADVANTAG
ES Of HYDROCYCLONES
Advantages

1. Hydrocyclones can remove both grit and suspended solids from wastewater.

2. A hydrocyclone can potentially remove as many solids as a primary clarifier.

Disadvantages

1. Hydrocyclones require energy because they use a pump to remove grit and suspended
solids.

2. Coarse screening is required before these units to remove sticks, rags, and plastics. 19
fACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN
SELECTING A GRIT REMOVAL SYSTEM

Ø Space requirements

Ø Removal efficiency

ØOrganic content

ØHeadloss requirements

Ø and Economics.
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 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
• With respect to grit removal systems, grit is traditionally defined as particles larger than

0.21 mm (0.008 in) (65 mesh) and with a specific gravity of greater than 2.65 (U.S. EPA,

1987).

• Equipment design was traditionally based on removal of 95 percent of these particles.

• However, with the recent recognition that smaller particles must be removed to avoid

damaging downstream processes, many modern grit removal designs are capable of

removing up to 75 percent of 0.15 mm (0.006 in) (100 mesh) material. 21

 VORTEX GRIT CHAMBER DESIGN
CONSIDERATION

ØTwo designs of vortex grit units exist: chambers with flat bottoms and a small
opening to collect grit; and chambers with a sloping bottom and a large opening
into the grit hopper.
ØThe straight inlet channel length is typically seven times the width of the inlet
channel, or 4.6 m (15 ft), whichever is greater.
Ø The ideal velocity range in the influent is typically 0.6 to 0.9 m/s (2 to 3 ft/s) at
40 to 80 percent of peak flow.
Ø A minimum velocity of 0.15 m/s (0.5 ft/s) should be maintained at all times,
because lower velocities will not carry grit into the grit chamber.

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 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS fOR DETRITUS
TANK

Ø Detritus tanks are designed to keep horizontal velocity and turbulence at a minimum while

maintaining a detention time of less than one minute.

ØProper operation of a detritus tank depends on well-distributed flow into the settling basin.

Ø Allowances are made for inlet and outlet turbulence as well as short circuiting by applying a

safety factor of 2.0 to the calculated overflow rate.

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 DESIGN EXAMPLE
QUESTION
Design an aerated grit chamber for a municipal wastewater treatment plant. The
average flow rate is 20,000 m3/d, with a peaking factor of 2.5. Use a depth of 3 m.
Air is supplied at 0.35m3/min per m of length. Assume grit collected is 0.10 m3/1000
m3 at peak flow. Determine the tank dimensions, total air supply required, and
quantity of grit.

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SOLUTION

Determine tank dimensions.

Aerated grit chamber is designed for peak flow rate hence use two chambers in

parallel.

Peak flow rate = 20,000 × 2.5 = 50,000 m3/d

Flow in each tank at peak flow, Q = 50,000 / 2 = 25,000 m3/d

Assume detention time at peak flow, t = 4 min

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Volume of each tank = Q·t = (25,000 m3/d) × (4 min) / (1440 min/d) = 70 m3

Assume width to depth ratio = 1:1

Depth = 3 m

Therefore, width = 3 m

Length = 70/(3 × 3) = 7.7 m ≈ 8 m

Tank dimensions are 8 m × 3 m × 3 m.

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Determine total air required.

Air required = (0.35 m3/min per m) × 8 m = 2.80 m3/min for each tank

Total air required for 2 tanks = 2.80 × 2 = 5.60 m3/min

Step 3. Calculate volume of grit.

Volume of grit = (0.10 m3/1000 m3) × 25,000 m3/d

= 2.5 m3/d in each tank

Total grit volume = 2.5 × 2 = 5.0 m3/d

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REfERENCES
• Martin, E.J. and E.T. Martin, 1991. Technologies for Small Water and Wastewater Systems. Van
Nostrand Reinhold. New York, New York.
• Process Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems
• Urquhart, L., 1962. Civil Engineering. Costs include construction, operation, and maintenance.
Specific cost data from contractor bids.
• Water Environment Federation, 1998. Design of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants.

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