Physico-Chemical Treatment Methods

Sedimentation
• Sedimentation is a physical water treatment process used
to remove suspended solids such as particulate matter,
chemical flocs, precipitates, and other settleable materials
that are heavier than water.

• The process operates on the principle of gravity settling,

where particles with a higher specific gravity than water
gradually sink to the bottom when the flow velocity is
reduced.

• As water enters a sedimentation tank, its velocity

decreases, allowing suspended solids to settle under the
influence of gravity. The settled materials accumulate at the
bottom of the tank as sludge, which is periodically removed,
while the clarified water flows out from the top.
Sedimentation is carried out in specially designed tanks called sedimentation tanks or clarifiers,
which may be:

▪ Rectangular tanks
▪ Circular tanks

Different Zones of a Sedimentation Tank

A sedimentation tank is divided into four functional zones to

ensure efficient removal of suspended solids. Each zone plays a
specific role in maintaining smooth flow conditions and effective
settling.

1. Inlet Zone:

The inlet (or influent) zone serves as the entry point for water from the flocculation unit into the sedimentation tank.
Its primary function is to provide a smooth hydraulic transition and distribute the incoming water uniformly across
the cross-section of the tank. Proper flow distribution prevents turbulence and uneven velocities. Baffles are
commonly installed in this zone to dissipate energy and avoid short-circuiting, a condition in which incoming water
flows directly to the outlet without adequate settling time. Effective design of the inlet zone ensures stable flow
conditions and maximizes settling efficiency.
2. Settling Zone:

The settling zone is the main and largest portion of the tank where actual sedimentation occurs. In this zone,
water moves slowly and uniformly, creating a calm environment that allows suspended particles and flocs to
settle under gravity. The design of this zone focuses on minimizing turbulence and maintaining uniform
horizontal flow so that particles can settle to the bottom without disturbance. The performance of the
sedimentation tank largely depends on the efficiency of this zone.

3. Sludge Zone:

The sludge zone is located at the bottom of the tank and acts as a storage area for the settled solids before
their removal. Accumulated sludge must be removed periodically to maintain tank efficiency. The inlet
arrangement must prevent high-velocity currents near the tank bottom, as strong flows can resuspend
settled sludge and reduce treatment efficiency. Mechanical scrapers or sludge collectors are typically
provided to move the sludge toward hoppers for further treatment or disposal.

4. Outlet Zone:
The outlet zone, also known as the launder, is responsible for collecting and discharging the clarified water
from the tank. It usually consists of overflow weirs that ensure uniform withdrawal of treated water and
control the water level within the basin. Adequate weir length is essential to maintain a proper overflow rate
and prevent unsettled solids from escaping with the effluent. A well-designed outlet zone ensures smooth
removal of clarified water without disturbing the settling process.
Types of Sedimentation

Sedimentation can be classified based on particle

behavior:

Discrete Particle Settling

• Particles settle individually without interaction.
• Occurs in low concentration suspensions.

Flocculent Settling
• Particles coalesce during settling, increasing in size
and settling velocity.
• Common in water treatment after coagulation.

Zone Settling (Hindered Settling)

• Particles settle as a mass at higher concentrations.
• Common in wastewater treatment.

Compression Settling
• Occurs when particle concentration is very high and
particles compress under their own weight.
 Coagulation-flocculation
Coagulation–flocculation is an important physico-chemical process used in water and wastewater
treatment to remove dissolved pollutants, suspended solids, and colloidal particles. This treatment
combines both physical and chemical mechanisms to destabilize and separate fine particles that
cannot be removed by simple sedimentation alone.

Physical treatment includes fast and slow stirring processes, and sedimentation. While chemical
treatment includes ionization processes, compound binding, charge exchange, and particle
destabilization.
Coagulation is the process of adding chemical substances known as coagulants to water or wastewater
to destabilize and aggregate colloidal particles.
Most colloidal particles carry a similar electrical charge, which causes them to repel each other and
remain suspended. When a coagulant with an opposite charge is introduced, charge neutralization
occurs. This reduces the repulsive forces between particles, allowing them to come closer together and
form small aggregates. The addition of the coagulant is immediately followed by rapid mixing for a short
duration to ensure uniform distribution and effective destabilization of particles.

Flocculation is the subsequent stage of the process and involves slow and gentle stirring. During this
stage, the destabilized particles collide and stick together due to inter-particle interactions, leading to
agglomeration. As these particles combine, they form larger and heavier flocs. With the increase in floc
size, their mass and settling velocity also increase, which enhances the efficiency of the sedimentation
process.
Common coagulants used in treatment plants
 Thickening
Sewage sludge treatment generally involves thickening, digestion and dewatering.

Thickening is usually the first step because dilute sludge (a slurry of solids in water) is difficult to
handle. It is commonly carried out in a gravity thickener, which can reduce sludge volume by
more than half. Another method used is dissolved air flotation.

Thickening concentrates biosolids and produces a relatively clear supernatant. By increasing

solids concentration (for example, from 3% to 6%), the sludge volume can be reduced by about
50%, making storage, processing, and disposal easier and more economical. Thickening is mainly
applied to secondary waste sludge, but it can also be used for primary sludge.

A thickener works similarly to a sedimentation tank: sludge enters at the center, spreads radially,
settled solids are collected at the bottom, and clarified liquid overflows through weirs.

In a continuous thickener, three main zones are present: a clear liquid zone at the top, a feed
zone with uniform solids concentration, and a compaction zone where solids concentration
gradually increases toward the underflow.
 Thickening
Sludge thickening is a process used to reduce the volume of sludge before further dewatering
treatments. The main sources of sludge generation are primary and secondary treatment
processes.

The solids that settle at the bottom of primary and secondary settling tanks form an aqueous
mixture of separated suspended particles, which is commonly referred to as sludge or slurry.
➢ Thickening reduces sludge volume by removing water before further treatment.

➢ Sludge contains 95–99% water, making handling difficult.

➢ It also contains organic matter and pathogens, causing odors and

decomposition.

Goals of sludge treatment

▪ Reduce water content and volume.

▪ Stabilize organic matter to prevent putrefaction.

▪ Improve texture for handling and transport.

Gravity Thickening
A gravity thickener is a simple and low-cost method used to thicken sludge by settling and
compacting solids under gravity. It usually thickens primary sludge without chemical addition.

The system consists of a rectangular or circular tank with a sloped bottom and can operate in
either batch or continuous mode.
Typical overflow rates range from 0.2–0.4 L/s/m². However, gravity thickeners require large
space and longer settling time, making them unsuitable for mobile dewatering operations.
 Gravity Belt Thickening
Gravity belt thickeners (GBTs) work by spreading sludge onto a porous horizontal belt, allowing free water
to drain by gravity.

The feed rate is an important operating parameter and is usually maintained at or below 10 L/s per meter
of belt width. This process depends significantly on polymer addition but requires relatively little space.
 Rotary Drum Thickening

A rotary drum thickener (rotary

vacuum-drum filter) consists of a
rotating drum covered with a
semiporous cloth. The drum is
partially submerged in sludge and
uses vacuum to draw solids onto the
cloth surface.

As the drum rotates, the solids are

further dewatered and then
discharged before the drum re-enters
the slurry. The drum typically
operates at 5–20 rpm with a variable-
speed drive.
 Dissolved Air Floatation Thickening
Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) thickening works by attaching microscopic air bubbles
to suspended solids, reducing their density so they float to the surface and can be
removed by skimming. It can produce 2–5% total solids with moderate polymer use.
However, DAF is mainly a clarification method and is not suitable for sludge containing
high-density solids; therefore, gravity thickeners are often preferred for primary sludge.

Flotation–Anoxic Gas uses anoxic gas to enhance flotation and speed up anaerobic
digestion. In pilot studies, it achieved 6–10% solids concentration. The process
thickens digested biosolids and returns them to the digester, while also improving odor
control compared to conventional flotation thickening.