Adamson University

College of Engineering
Chemical Engineering Department

Chemical Engineering Laboratory 2 (51095)

Date of Experiment: April 6, 2022

Solids Separation - Experiment 10: Batch Sedimentation

GROUP 2
AQUINO, Pamela V. 201810406
AUSTERO, Sheila Marie E. 201812093
BELMONTE, Deserie Joy Y. 201810257
DACION, Algin R. 201810931
MONTIEL, Jahziel L. 201810516
UY, Kianne Denise P. 201810022

Submitted to: Engr. Pinky Joy Janaban

Date of Submission: April 27, 2022

 Abstract

Sedimentation refers to a process in which suspended particles are being let to settle
naturally by gravity. In the sedimentation cylinders, three separate mixtures of different
concentration, initial height, and particle size were monitored every 5-minute time interval.
Mixture A, which had the highest concentration of 5% CaCO3, settled slower than mixtures B
and C, which contained just 2% CaCO3. Mixture B, with a particle size of plus 60 mesh, settles
at a slower rate than Mixture C, with a particle size of minus 80 mesh. The size of the particles
and the rate of sedimentation are proportionate, and the initial suspension height has no effect on
this rate. Consequently, as concentration rises, the rate of settling decreases. Such findings are
useful in understanding how to maximize the rate at which particles settle, especially since
sedimentation is a common process in the water treatment and food industries.

Objectives

● To determine the height of clear liquid, slurry, and sediments at a certain time interval.
● To investigate the effects of initial concentration, initial suspension height, and particle
size distribution on sedimentation rates.
● To determine the critical height for each mixture.

Theory

Sedimentation is a unit operation wherein particles of a diluted slurry that are in

suspension settle due to the force of gravity. When sedimentation is completed, the settled slurry
forms a sediment at the bottom and the treated liquid is called sludge. Therefore sedimentation is
a separation process for solid-liquid mixtures, it naturally occurs and can be done batch wise or
continuously. However, in water treatment processes where sedimentation is usually applied, the
solids particles are artificially stimulated to settle using thickeners (Balsom, 2020). The purpose
of sedimentation in water treatment is to reduce the concentration of solid particles in suspension
and consequently improve the filtration of water and reduce the need of coagulation and
flocculation. Moreover, sedimentation is influenced by a variety of factors, including particle
size and shape, particle density, solids concentration at the start, and water temperature.

Industrial sedimentation involves the use of thickeners which are cylindrical tanks with
openings for the slurry feed and the product, while commercial sedimentation uses large tanks
that are similar to graduated cylinders used in the laboratories. Four different concentration zones
can be discern with this type of equipment: A, B, C, and D. Zone A is the area with clear liquid,
zone B is the region with uniform concentration, zone C is the area where the distribution of
particle size is varied and the concentration is not uniform, and zone D is where the settled solids
with heavier particles are, occurring at a faster-settling rate.

The sedimentation rate, also known as rate of settling which is expressed in terms of
height z, thus the terminal velocity of zone B can be computed with the following equation:

𝑈𝑡 = (𝑍𝑜 − 𝑍𝑐)/θ𝑐

Where: Zo = initial height of the slurry

Zc = height of the interface between the clear liquid and slurry when zone B disappears

θc = settling time of the solid particles from Zo to Zc

Meanwhile, the terminal velocity of zone C can be calculated using the given equation

𝑈𝑡 =− (𝑑𝑧/𝑑θ) = 𝑘(𝑍 − 𝑍∞)

Where: Z = height of the interface between the clear liquid and the slurry at any time θ

k = constant for a given suspension

𝑍∞ = final height of the sludge

After being rearranged and integrated, the equation becomes

𝑘(θ − θ𝑐) = 𝑙𝑛[(𝑍𝑐 − 𝑍∞)/(𝑍 − 𝑍∞)]

The critical sedimentation point, or compression point, refers to the point in which the
solid particles shift from the settling zone to the compression zone (Wakeman, 2011). The
coordinates of this point correspond to the critical time and critical height of the mixture.

Procedure

One kilogram of CaCO3 was screened in a Rio Tap sieve to obtain particle sizes of -100
mesh and +60 mesh. Three different CaCO3 concentration and water mixtures with various
particle sizes were prepared after sieving. Mixture A which has a plus 60 mesh particle size
contains 1200 ml water with 5% CaCO3, Mixture B of similar size contains 1800 ml water with
2% CaCO3 while Mixture C of similar concentration has a particle size of minus 80 mesh. The
mixtures were carefully agitated before being placed into the sedimentation cylinders. The
mixtures were labeled A, B, and C. Each mixture's initial height and temperature, as well as the
inside diameters of the cylinders, were then recorded. The heights of the clear liquid, slurry, and
sediments were monitored and recorded every 5 minutes until the readings were nearly constant.

Results and Discussion

Table 1: Height of Mixtures A, B, and C every 5-minute interval

A B C

Initial Height 591 876 880

5 500 650 630

10 390 440 410

15 303 220 180

20 217 65 65

25 166.5 59 53.9

30 132 56 51

35 115.5 53 49

40 110 51 47

45 106.5 50 45

50 104 48 44

55 101.5 45 43

60 100 45 42

65 97.5 45 41

70 95 44 40

75 93.5 43 39.5

80 92.5 42 38.5

85 91 41 38

90 90 41 37

95 88.5 40 37

100 87 39.5 36

105 86 39 36

110 85 38.5 35.5

 Figure 1. Height of the Mixture vs. Time

At time zero, the initial height of mixtures A, B, and C were found to be 591, 876, and
880 cm, respectively. After 110 minutes, it can be observed that even though mixture A has the
least initial height of 591 cm, the graph shows that its height drops at a slower rate compared to
mixtures B and C which settled faster at a height of 38.5 and 35.5 cm, respectively. The initial
concentration of the mixture, suspension height, and particle size distribution are the different
factors that influence such outcomes.
Effects of Initial Concentration

Figure 2. Height vs. Time for Mixture A and B

Mixture A which consists of 5% CaCO3 tends to be more concentrated than mixture B

which is composed of only 2% CaCO3. Initially, the height of A is 591 cm while B is 876 cm.
Regardless, it can be observed from the data presented that mixture B settles at a faster rate
compared to mixture A. Because mixture A contains more CaCO3, the capacity of particles to
aggregate is enhanced as this higher concentration. The graph also shows that the height of
mixture B began to become practically constant after only 20 minutes, but mixture A took about
roughly 35 minutes to achieve a more consistent reading. With that, it can be deduced that
concentration and sedimentation velocity is inversely proportional to each other. Increasing the
particle concentration results in a decreased sedimentation rate while the lower the concentration
is, the faster the particles settle.
Effects of Initial Suspension Height

Figure 3. Height vs. Time for Mixtures A and B

Mixture A has an initial height of 591 cm, while mixture B of 876 cm and mixture C of
880 cm. The graph shows that after 110 minutes mixture A, despite having the lowest initial
height, had the highest final height of 85 cm. Mixture B, instead had a final height of 38.5 cm,
even if started at a higher height than mixture A. Meanwhile mixture C that had the highest
initial height among all the mixtures ended up having the lowest final height of 35.5 cm.
Therefore from the result we can conclude that initial suspension height does not affect
sedimentation, meaning the process is independent of the initial height.
Effects of Particle Size Distribution

Figure 4. Height vs. Time for Mixtures B and C

Mixture B initial height is at 876cm while mixture C initial height is at 880 cm. The two
mixtures have the same volume of 1800 ml as well as the same concentration of 2% CaCO3, thus
it can be observed that these have similar graphs. In fact, from the graph we can see that after 20
minutes the rate of sedimentation of both mixtures drastically decreased. However, the figure
also shows that the height of mixture C slightly drops faster than mixture B. In fact, after 110
minutes the height of mixture B is 38.5cm while that of mixture C is 35.5 cm. The only
difference between the two mixtures is the particle size of CaCO3 because mixture B and mixture
C have plus 60 mesh particle size and minus 80 mesh particle size, respectively. Therefore, from
the result it can be deduced that particle size distribution affects significantly sedimentation rate
since when particle size increases the rate of sedimentation also increases, meaning the
relationship between particle size and sedimentation is directly proportional.
Determination of Critical Height of the Mixture

Figure 5. Determination of Critical Height for Cylinder A

Figure 6. Determination of Critical Height for Cylinder B

 Figure 7. Determination of Critical Height for Cylinder C

Figure 5, 6 and 7 represent the plot of θ𝑐 − θ 𝑣𝑠 𝑙𝑛(𝑍 − 𝑍∞) that is needed in order to
determine the critical height of each mixture. From each graph, an equation of the line is derived
where the y-intercept correspond to 𝑙𝑛(𝑍𝑐 − 𝑍∞). By equating y-intercept to 𝑙𝑛(𝑍𝑐 − 𝑍∞)
critical height can be calculated since y-intercept and final height are already known. In figure 5,
it is observed that the y-intercept from the equation of the line is 0.1551, thus the resulting
critical height for mixture A is 86.1678 cm. In figure 6, instead, the y-intercept of the equation of
the line is -0.8213, yielding to a critical height of 38.9399 cm for mixture B. Lastly, in figure 7, it
can be seen that the y-intercept is -1.0577 and the obtained critical height for mixture C is
35.8473 cm. However, the critical heights computed were only based on the set of data obtained
since due to limited time sedimentation was not completed. In addition, the readings of the
height from the graduated cylinder may not be accurate or precise, thus this may have affected
the value of the critical heights of each mixture.
 Conclusion

Mixtures A, B, and C had initial heights of 591, 876, and 880 cm, respectively. The final
sludge readings were found to be 85 cm for Mixture A, 38.5 cm for Mixture B, and 35.5 cm for
Mixture C, indicating that the concentration of the mixture is inversely proportional to the
particle settling rate. Mixture A settled slower than B and C because it has the highest
concentration among the three mixtures. Despite having the lowest initial suspension height,
Mixture A had the highest sludge height of 85 cm at 110 minutes. Mixture C, which started out
with the highest initial height of all the mixtures, settled at the lowest height. As a result, it can
be concluded that the sedimentation process is unaffected by the initial height of the suspension.
The particle size distribution affects the rate of sedimentation as well. The particle size of
mixture B is plus 60 mesh, while that of mixture C is minus 80 mesh. Mixture C's height drops
slightly faster than mixture B's. These findings indicate that particle size distribution has a
substantial effect on sedimentation rate. Particle size and settling rate are proportional, meaning
that as particle size increases, so does the rate of sedimentation.

References
Balsom, P. (2020, January 23). Understanding Sedimentation Water Treatment. High Tide.

https://htt.io/understanding-sedimentation-water-treatment/

Wakeman, R. J. (2011, February 8). SEDIMENTATION. THERMOPEDIA.

https://thermopedia.com/content/1114/
APPENDICES
 A. Experimental Data

Cylinder A

● Initial Height of Slurry = 591 cm

● Volume of the Slurry = 1200 ml
● Concentration of the Slurry = 5%
● Particle Size of CaCO3 = +60 mesh
● Temperature of the Slurry = 27.5°C
● Final Height of the slurry = 85 cm

Cylinder B

● Initial Height of Slurry = 876 cm

● Volume of the Slurry = 1800 ml
● Concentration of the Slurry = 2%
● Particle Size of CaCO3 = +60 mesh
● Temperature of the Slurry = 27.5°C
● Final Height of the slurry = 38.5 cm

Cylinder C

● Initial Height of Slurry = 880 cm

● Volume of the Slurry = 1800 ml
● Concentration of the Slurry = 2%
● Particle Size of CaCO3 = -80 mesh
● Temperature of the Slurry = 27.5°C
● Final Height of the slurry = 35.5 cm
 Table 1: Height of Mixtures A, B, and C every 5-minute interval

A B C

Initial Height 591 876 880

5 500 650 630

10 390 440 410

15 303 220 180

20 217 65 65

25 166.5 59 53.9

30 132 56 51

35 115.5 53 49

40 110 51 47

45 106.5 50 45

50 104 48 44

55 101.5 45 43

60 100 45 42

65 97.5 45 41

70 95 44 40

75 93.5 43 39.5

80 92.5 42 38.5

85 91 41 38

90 90 41 37

95 88.5 40 37

100 87 39.5 36

105 86 39 36

110 85 38.5 35.5

B. Simulation
 C. Sample Computation
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑒 60𝑔
Mixture A: 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑥100 = 1200𝑔
𝑥100 = 5%

𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑒 36𝑔

Mixture B: 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑥100 = 1800𝑔
𝑥100 = 2%

𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑒 36𝑔

Mixture C: 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑥100 = 1800𝑔
𝑥100 = 2%

Critical height

● Mixture A
𝑍𝑐−𝑍∞
𝑘(θ𝑐 − θ) = 𝑙𝑛( 𝑍−𝑍∞
)

𝑘(θ𝑐 − θ) + 𝑙𝑛(𝑍 − 𝑍∞) = 𝑙𝑛(𝑍𝑐 − 𝑍∞)

𝛉c-𝝷 ln(Z-Z∞)
110 6.226536669
105 6.02827852
100 5.720311777
95 5.384495063
90 4.882801923
85 4.40060302
80 3.850147602
75 3.417726684
70 3.218875825
65 3.068052935
60 2.944438979
55 2.803360381
50 2.708050201
45 2.525728644
40 2.302585093
35 2.140066163
30 2.014903021
25 1.791759469
20 1.609437912
15 1.252762968
10 0.6931471806
5 0

From graph equation of the line: y = ax+b = 0.0518x+0.1551

 𝑏 = 𝑙𝑛(𝑍𝑐 − 𝑍∞)
𝑏 𝑙𝑛(𝑍𝑐−𝑍∞)
𝑒 =𝑒
𝑏
𝑍𝑐 = 𝑒 + 𝑍∞
0.1551
𝑍𝑐 = 𝑒 + 85 = 86. 1678 𝑐𝑚

● Mixture B
𝛉c-𝝷 ln(Z-Z∞)
110 6.730421264
105 6.415914955
100 5.995207533
95 5.201255654
90 3.277144733
85 3.020424886
80 2.862200881
75 2.674148649
70 2.525728644
65 2.442347035
60 2.251291799
55 1.871802177
50 1.871802177
45 1.871802177
40 1.704748092
35 1.504077397
30 1.252762968
25 0.9162907319
20 0.9162907319
15 0.4054651081
10 0
5 -0.6931471806

From graph equation of the line: y = ax+b = 0.0578x-0.8213

−0.8213
𝑍𝑐 = 𝑒 + 38. 5 = 38. 9399 𝑐𝑚
● Mixture C
𝛉c-𝝷 ln(Z-Z∞)
110 6.738744736
105 6.387720716
100 5.925591803
95 4.973279508
90 3.384390263
85 2.912350665
80 2.740840024
75 2.602689685
70 2.442347035
65 2.251291799
60 2.140066163
55 2.014903021
50 1.871802177
45 1.704748092
40 1.504077397
35 1.386294361
30 1.098612289
25 0.916290732
20 0.405465108
15 0.405465108
10 -0.693147181
5 -0.693147181

From graph equation of the line: y = ax+b = 0.0598x-1.0577

−1.0577
𝑍𝑐 = 𝑒 + 35. 5 = 35. 8473 𝑐𝑚
D. Originality Report
 PRE-LABORATORY EXERCISES

1. Free settling of sludge is 1 inch/min. using an original height of 50 cm, the sludge settled
to a height of 18 cm after the free settling period. The sludge was found to settle to a
height of 10 cm after 100 minutes. This particular sludge was found to settle completely
to a height of 4 cm. The time to settle to a height of 1/5 of its original height in a
cylindrical tank whose diameter is 85% of its depth if it is 85% full and consider 1000ft3
of sludge in the tank is

Given: v = 1 inch/min

Z0 = 50 cm = 19.6850 inches

Zc = 18 cm = 7.0866 inches

@ t = 110 min, Z10 = 10 cm = 3.9370 inches

Z∞ = 4 cm = 1.5748 inches

Required: t = ? if Z = 1/5 Z0 , D = 0.85H, V = 0.85(1000)= 850 ft3.

Solution:

Z = 1/5Z0 = 1/5(19.6850) = 3.937 inches

Since Z<Zc, hindered settling

𝑍𝑜−𝑍𝑐 (19.6850−7.0866)𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠
θ𝑐 = 𝑣
= 1 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ/𝑚𝑖𝑛
= 12. 5984 𝑚𝑖𝑛

𝑑𝑧
− 𝑑θ
= 𝑘(𝑍 − 𝑍∞)

𝑍𝑐−𝑍∞
𝑙𝑛( 𝑍−𝑍∞
) = 𝑘(θ − θ𝑐)

7.0866−1.5748
𝑙𝑛( 3.937−1.5748
) = 𝑘(110 − 12. 5984)

𝑘 = 0. 0087/𝑚𝑖𝑛

If Z=3.937 inches
1 𝑍𝑐−𝑍∞ 1 7.0866−1.5748
θ= 𝑘
𝑙𝑛( 𝑍−𝑍∞
) + θ𝑐 = 0.0087
𝑙𝑛( 3.937−1.5748
) + 12. 5984

θ = 109. 99 𝑚𝑖𝑛
π 2
0. 85𝑉 = 4
𝐷𝐻
 π 2 3
0. 85(1728000) = 4
(0. 85) 𝐻

𝐻 = 137. 3025 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠

θ 109.99
𝑡 = ( 𝑍 )𝐻 = ( 3.937
)137. 3025

t = 3835.8908 min = 63.9315 hrs

2. A single-batch settling test was made on limestone slurry. The interface between clear
liquid and suspended solids was observed as a function of time, and the results are
tabulated below. The test was made using 236g of limestone per liter of slurry. Prepare a
curve showing the relationship between settling rate and solids concentration.

Test Data:

Time, hr 0 0.25 0.50 1.00 1.75 3.0 4.75 12.0 20.0

Height of 36.0 32.4 28.6 21.0 14.7 12.3 11.55 9.8 8.8
interface, cm

Solution:

𝐶𝑜𝐻𝑜 (236 𝑔/𝐿)(36𝑐𝑚) 8496 𝑔·𝑐𝑚/𝐿

Solid concentration = 𝐻𝑖
= 𝐻𝑖
= 𝐻𝑖

By getting the tangent line: y-intercept = Hi = 20 cm

 slope = settling velocity = 2.78 cm/hr
8496 𝑔·𝑐𝑚/𝐿
Solid concentration = C = 20 𝑐𝑚
= 424. 8 𝑔/𝐿

𝜃, hr Hi, cm v, cm/hr C, g/L

1 36 15.65 236

2 20 2.78 424.8

3 16.2 1.27 524.4

4 14.2 0.646 598.309

3. A 3% by weight calcium carbonate slurry was subjected to a batch-sedimentation test.

The density of the solids in the slurry was 2.63 g/ml, and that of the liquid was 1.0 g/ml.
The test results are indicated below

Time, min 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140

Height of 176 100 74 57 42 34 26 22

interface, m

Determine the area and depth of continuous thickener that is to handle 400,000 kg of
solids per day. Initial solids concentration in the feed is 3% by weight and the final
concentration is to be 40% solids.
4. Wastewater from a de-inking plant is to be clarified by continuous sedimentation. Feed to
the thickener is 1 million gal/day containing 1.2% by weight solids. The underflow from
the unit analyzes 8% solids. Specify the depth and diameter of the thickener.

A single batch settling test on the feed material gave the following information: Specify
gravity of solids = 2.0; Specific gravity solution = 1.00; Concentration of solids in test =
0.12%

Time, hr 0 5 10 20 40 60 180 240 ∞

Height of 31 21 10 3.2 2.2 2.1 2.0 1.96 1.94

interface, cm
5. Discuss the effects of the following on sedimentation rates:
a. Initial Concentration

The relationship between initial concentration and sedimentation rate is inversely

proportional, thus increasing initial concentration causes sedimentation rate to
decrease, while lowering the concentration will result into a faster settling of the
particles meaning a higher sedimentation rate.

b. Initial height of the slurry

Initial height of the slurry doesn’t have an effect on the sedimentation rate,
meaning the rate of settling is independent of this factor. A higher initial height
does not necessarily mean lower sedimentation rate, and the same applies to a
when the initial height is low does not mean that the rate of settling is faster. In
fact, it all depends on the particle size and density, the concentration of solids, and
even the water temperature.

c. Particle size distribution of the solids in the slurry

Particle size distribution and sedimentation rate are directly proportional. When
particle size increases the rate of sedimentation also increases, and when particle
size decreases rate of settling decreases too. Smaller particles take longer time to
settle thus sedimentation rate is low. Meanwhile, particles with larger sizes tend to
settle faster resulting in a greater rate of sedimentation.