ChapterIII

DECANTATION
 ChapterIIIDecantation
III.1Definition:
i noi t a tnaceD
ofwaters.
Itam
i stoem
il niaethteMESandthefolcs
resulting from coagulation flocculation.
Under the influence of weightlessness, the particles whose
density > that of water reaches
the background and the clear water is collected at the
surface.
 ChapterIIIDecantation
[Link]:
Decantation of discrete particles:
Decantation of flocculating particles
diffuse decantation
Piston decantation (braked decantation)
Decantation in sludge compression.
 ChapterIIIDecantation
III.2.1Decantationofdiscreteparticles:
Theparticlesfallindependentlyofeachotherandtheyretaintheir
initial physical properties (speed, diameter, shape, ...). (sand sucker)
Described by mathematical equations.
III.2.1.1 Theory:
[Link]
loeanvilapestr
following:
Gravitational force FG = m.g = FG=ρ[Link].g
Resistance force (viscosity) FF=C d .A.ρ.v
p
2/ 2

-Archimedes' thrust force F A= ρ.VPg

•ρ, ρPare respectively the density of water and that of the particle
C =d coefficient of friction (drag) FA
FF
V: pvolume of the particle
A: psurface of the particle
v: particle falling speed
g : acceleration of gravity FG
 ChapterIIISettling
atequilibriumtheresultantforceiszeroandthe
particle falls with a constant velocity.
na t l use r ehT
Wefindthefalingspeedvfora
spherical particle
1/2
4g( P ).d
v
3Cd . (1)
d: diameter of the particle
ThisdependsontheReynoldsnumberofthegrains
Re(PseudonameofReynolds). .v.d. ( 2)
Re
 ChapterIIIDecantation
a) For Re<1 laminar settling regime
Cd=24/Re(3)
by combining (1) (2) and (3)
g( P )d 2 (4)
Wefind: v
18
This is the law of Stokes giving the expression for the falling velocity of the
discrete spherical particles in laminar flow (the case of
desabler
 ChapterIIIDECANTATION
b) Intermediate case: 18.5
fI 1 < Re < 500 hetn Cd
Re0.6
In this case, equation (1) becomes:

0.153.g0.71.d1.14( p )0.71 (5)

v 0.29 0.43
.
c) Newton's equation:
si500 < Re < 10,000 Cd = 0.44 constant
Theequation(1)becomes:

g.d( p  ) (6)
v 1.74
 ChapterIIISettling
III.2.1.2 Calculation of the fall speed of a particle
known diameter:
We have the problem:

Re=f(v) and v=f(Re) so we have a nonlinear problem

It can be solved either:
1 - iterative method:
we assume the flow is laminar
we calculate the speed according to the law of Stokes

We check the regime if the Departure hypothesis is correct.

we stop if not we apply the other formula
regime until the initial hypothesis is verified.
 ChapterIIIDecantation
2thmethod:
We calculate k; (  ). .g
1/3

k d P
2
7

If k < 2.6, we apply Stokes' law.

If 2.5 < k < 44, we apply the intermediate case.
If 44<k<2360 we apply Newton's law
Example:
Calculatethefallingspeedofagrainofsandofwhichsize
est de 0.10mm dans l’eau stagnante à 5°c
We give: ρs=2650kg/m3 , µ=1.5*10-3pa.s
Réponse:v=0.6cm/s
 ChapterIIIDecantation
III.2.1.3 Calculation of the size of a particle whose speed
the fall is known:
d = f(Re) and Re = f(d) nonlinear problem
We carry out this calculation by assuming that one
the three equations apply and after solving
In the equation, we check the initial hypothesis by calculation.
if the initial hypothesis is not verified, we
apply another formula of the most probable speed.
Example: what is the size of an alumina flake
hydrated (relative density = 1.18) whose fall speed
is 0.0040 m/s in water at 10°c.
Réponsed=0.23mm
 ChapterIIIDecantation
III.2.1.4 Ideal Decanter (Perfect):
roha swohs2erugiF
perfect. It is a rectangular basin with a horizontal bottom
of effective length L, depth H, and width l.
rus a sahni sabehT
A=H.l).
 ChapterIIIDecantation
Superficial hydraulic charge = Q/S
What is the flow passing through the basin.
m
ia l s i m
eigerwol f ehT
To ensure a complete decantation of all particles having a
falling speed greater than or equal0
to V (chosen speed) or target speed
(limit) the dimensions must beof the basin are calculated so that
the particles coming to the basin at a distance of the floor H may
reach the bottom. So the length of stay

H L = L = H
t on the other hand t
V0 v1 Q / A V0
So we find
Q Q
v0 8
l.L S
it is the speed of Hazen
AlparticleshavingaspeedgreaterthanorequaltoVare 0
eliminated
 ChapterIIIDecantation
Theparticleswhosefallingspeed<v0 will be eliminated if
only if they penetrate at a height h<H
indeed, we have
h H
t v1
v pV0
h
vp

which gives h=vp.H/v0

e fonoi t car f ehT
F=h/H=Vp/V0
Conclusion:tocalculatetheeliminationyieldof
discrete particles of the same type that settle with a
speedVp < V0 in an ideal decanter with horizontal flow is
given by:

vP
R .100 (9)
V0
 ChapterIIIDecantation
Whenthefallspeedsoftheparticlesaredifferent,wecan
calculate the overall yield of a settling basin if we
knows the distribution of these falling speeds fig(3).
F0: Fraction of particles whose falling speed < v0
Sothefractionofparticleseliminatedis(1-f0with a speed >= v0
For the particles 1
Whose speed of
Fraction of the
particles of which the
fallP<v0
fall speed F0
the eliminated fraction
to that extent I
is vp/ v 0 on the x-axis
By integration of the curve v0 Fallingspeed
Fig.3 speed distribution curve
onbiw
ueitR
rentse0diand0f of fall
Weobtainthefractionofparticleseliminatedinanidealpool.
f0
Theintegralistheareaoftheshadedpart. 1
F 1  f 0 v pdf
F=1-f0+I/v0 v0 0
 ChapterIIIDecantation
Example:non-flocculatingparticlesinsuspensionfall.
in a column where the conditions are favorable, we sample
at different intervals of time samples. We assess
the fraction of solids in each sample by deviating
its measure of concentration at time t by the concentration
attimet0.
What is the total fraction of eliminated parts in the basin of
ideal decantation if the surface load is 4.9m/h.
fo m
eiT w
ghteiofnF
iartc fodeS
p
decantation (min) that remains decantation (m/h)
5 0.96 18
10 0.81 9.0
15 0.62 6.0
20 0.46 4.5
30 0.23 3.0
60 0.06 1.5
 ChapterIIIDecantation
We calculate the speeds at each time interval.
V
5=1
5*6
. 0/5=1
8hm
/

Wetracethecurvefraction=f(dropspeed)
V0=4.9m/h thus f0=0.51
OntrouveR=82%
1
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0,1
0
0 5 10 15 20
speed

Fig 4. speed distribution curve

 ChapterIIIDecantation
III.2.2 Decantation of flocculated particles (decantation)
diffuse
In this type of decantation, the particles do not keep their
initial physical properties during their fall (aggregation).
Theresinomahtemacitalwhtagtovernshtsyitpeofdecanaotin.
colffonoitartnecnocehtsanossasruccossecorpsT
ih
is higher than around 50 mg.l-1. (Decrement).
Laboratory tests allow the calculation of removal efficiency
,thesuperficialvelocityandthedimensionsoftheclarifier.

Fig 5. ideal horizontal flow clarifier

 ChapterIIIDecantation

tsetoniC
um
aton
ld
cten
We take a settling column of height equal to the
depth of the settler and diameter 0.15m equipped with
sample collections, spaced 0.6m apart.
Samples are taken at different 0.6m
time intervals and at different
Depths 0.6m
2. We calculate the % of elimination
by the following formula:
Ct
R (1 ).100
C0
3. we draw the isorendement curves (equal yield) in
a plan of axes depth - sedimentation time. The trace
is done by interpolation between the calculated yields.
 chapter III Decantation
Ct: concentration at time t
C:0 initial concentration at t0
geantecropneim
tnaR
i%
le:
h1 100

h2

h3

h4

ts

Figure 6. Diffuse Decantation

 CHoD
A
niIateP
cnIt
4. We calculate the overall elimination yield for a time
of decantation ts using the following formula:

R=iso-yield
i curve
For our case R =100, 1 R =70,
2 R =60,
3 R =50,4 R =50 5
h ivertical distance between two successive curves
of underperformance
5. We plot the total return graphs as a function of ts and
overall yield as a function of V0
6. We take the length of stay and v0 that correspond to
desired elimination yield.
7. We multiply them by correction factors.
8. We calculate the area of the decanter.
 ChapterIIIDecantation
III.2.3 Piston and compression decantation of
sludges: (Kynch theory)
Whentheconcentrationofwaterinsuspendedsolidsexceedsthe
1000mg/lla decantation is done by piston and by
sludge compression and a clear interface is observed
between water floating -mud. We find these types of
decantation in the cases of softening, activated sludges
secondary decanter and in the thickener.
Kynch curve (figure 7)
[Link]
S
ontaiulocestdlanw
gk(tcerw
l)snhfetrati
in a 1L test tube
We plot the height of the water-mud interface over the course of
at times we find a curve similar to that of the figure
 ChapterIIIDecantation

Figure7Kynchcurve
we observe 04 zones:
ThefundamentalhypothesisofKynchisthatthefallingspeedofa
The particle only depends on the local concentration C of particles.
FormAotBht,esepnairgtsuafrcesimoeroerslsechtial:er
phase of coalescence of the flakes. This phase is sometimes
nonexistent.
FormBogehstgaC
nirm
giatps,[Link]
constanteVo(pente dela droite)
 ChapterIIIDecantation
oc ,D
Ctnm
egesehT
a gradual slowdown of speed
fall of the upper layer of the deposit.
StartingfromD,theflakestoucheachotherbyexerting
a compression on the lower layers.
 ChapterIIIDecantation
Srtucu
treodfecanetrs:
In reality, there is no ideal decanter.
Thereavrelsiotcirteswhtinhtqeiludihtatfect
the flow regime (is not laminar).
Onemuststrivetoobtaintheregimeasmuchaspossible.
laminar by calculating Re
Re: Reynolds Name [Link]
(characterizing the flow of the fluid). Re
V: Water circulation speed m.s-1.
•dh: Equivalent hydraulic diameter m. v2
Fr
Kinematic viscosity of water m2.s-1 [Link]
Furthermore, the Froude number allows for the assessment of stability.
of the circulatory flow (negligible vertical movement)
/ horizontal movement).
For horizontal flow settlers, it is recommended
Values of Re < 20,000 and Fr > 10-5
 Design of the rectangular decanter
Hozroilw
n
fatrelcatnguadlrecanetr:
To lighten the treatment, a minimum of two clarifiers is recommended. 04
The decanter seems to be not economical.
deziretcarahc si enozyrtneeht :enozyrE
tn
allows the flow to be distributed (same case as flocculation). The barrier separates the

flocculation basin of the sedimentation basin.

henw
th,w
deochtruanm
pehgtfohaiItrm
cfulehsft

recommends a speed of 0.15 to 0.60 m/s. the chicane is placed 2m from

the arrival conduit. the speed in the pores (orifices) is between 0.2 to
0.30m/s. The openings have a diameter of 0.10 to 0.20m and are spaced 0.25 to
The lowest opening is located 0.6m above the bottom of the
decanter (Willis 2005).
 Design of the rectangular decanter
:enozgniltteS
Thedesigncriteriaforthesedimentationareaina
Horizontal flow decanter are: 1) hydraulic load
{"1":"superficial","2":"effective water depth","3":"Time"}
["retention","horizontal flow rate","minimum ratio"]
length/width
eul av l ac ipyt ehT
represented by the table ( )
:enoz tE
ix
snocaera t ixeehT
Spillways parallel to the length of the basin. Along the length
Theoutletsvaryfrom1/3to½thelengthofthebasin.
col evwol f revoehT
spillway. The submerged outlets must not exceed
1m below the water surface. The speed through the orifice
< =0.15m/s
 Design of the rectangular decanter
to horizontal flow
6.0nw
eetebthgieha :enoM
zd
u
add to the water depth, reserved for
the accumulation of sludge and equipment
of mud extraction.
flight
 ChapterIIIDecantation
III.3LamelarDecantation:
In horizontal flow settlers, the capture
a discrete particle is independent of the
depth H. It depends only on the
Hazen V speed. 0
However,wecanmaintainthesamespeedVin 0
treating it as:
• a flow rate nQ, in the same work, in
superimposing n levels of elementary height H/n
(figure 8 a and b),
 ChapterIIIDecantation
•a flow Q in
superimposing n floors of
elementary height H/n
and of length L/n
(fig. 8 a and c).
But the problem
evacuation of sludge
Supoeswehoeam
vt
Incline (principle of the
Lamellar decantation
Fig 8. lamellar decantation
 ChapterIIISettling
noi t a tnaced ra l lm
eaL
increase the space by adding inclined landings (plates or tubes) that is
several decanters in a single work.
rodeepsgni t m
i i l ehT
Q
u1
n.S L. c o s
Threetypesoflamellarsettlingexist:
-Co current: the flow and settling occur in the same direction

Countercurrent: flow occurs in the opposite direction of settling.

Cross current: flow perpendicular to the settling

w
dsaebt2nelactsdihognlatorE:
 ChapterIIIDecantation
foec iohcehT
lamellar decantation
t a tnacni ehT
Courantisthemostreliableand
Effective. It is the most used.
In the settling at
co-currently it is difficult to
Collectthetreatedwater.
 ChapterIIIDecantation
Tube decanter:
Stacks of tubes inclined at 5°, 7°, or 60° / to the horizontal.
Theshapesoftubes:square,hexagonalorcorrugated
Whtiaelnghtof06.m,12.m,18.m,[Link],ioperaetsnicounetrcuren.t
The7°inclinationtubesfunctiondependingonthefilters.
Whilethe60°inclinetubesoperateindependentlyofthe
filters. Washing water part
coagulant Water washing filter part filter (start of washing)
(end of washing)

Rawwater

Water evacuation of
washing
 ChapterIIIDecantation
Pad
letecanetr:
i re tnacedehT
inclined plates of 35°/horizontal
Theflowmusbtelaminarbetweenthe
plaques.
 Typesofdecanter
Rectangular decanter (trench)
Typesdedécanteurs
Pusalu
tbd
eecand
e(tregre)
Superpusalotd
recand
e(tregremen)t
DecanetrA
olfcit
 FLOTATION
Doneitn
fis:
. Natural flotation: the density is lower than that of
water (natural separation)
•Assisted flotation: it implements external means to
improve the separation of naturally floatable particles.
Induced flotation: the density at source > that of
the water is artificially reduced following a mixture with some
gas bubbles.
[Link]
lrefthetm
,tnaertrenw
Ita
provoked.
Principle:
ol f r iadevloss iD
process that uses fine air bubbles for solid separation
liquid. Microbubbles with a diameter of 40 to 70 microns
similar to those in "the white water" On the contrary, in
mineralurgy, we give the name of mechanical flotation to
the use of dispersed air with bubble production of 0.2 to 2 mm
de diamètre.
 flotation
fine air bubbles are introduced next to the
bottom of the basin to mix with the water at
treated at the entrance of the basin.
Theairbubblesmoveupwards
,The solids downwards. The two attach.
and the resulting force tends to raise the
floc towards the surface (density
resulting lower than water). The figure ( )
show the variation of speed
ascending based on the diameter of
bubbles.
 Flotation
Descp
roih
n
top
efroces:
ew
hs0291eht ecnisetA
aD
dFehT
videos have been used.
eme lpmi t s r i f ehT
the1980s.
Thewatera,pparentlycoagulatedandflocculateda,rivesatheFADbasin.
Thewaterisintroducedintothecontactareanextothebotomofthe
bassin figure ( ). There is a chicane that separates the zone of
contact and the separation zone. In the zone of
Separation the flakes move towards the surface in flow
ascending forming a floating layer of mud.
surface scraper allows for the evacuation of material
floating. The recovery of treated water is done by a
perforated conduit placed at the bottom of the basin.
Flotation
 Flotation
In water treatment, the FAD is used to eliminate the
following subjects:
. Low density particles like algae
. Dissolved organic matter (color)
. Low to moderate turbidity particles
. Washing water from the filter.
Several factors influence flotation, including: 1) characteristics
["flakes","size of bubbles and the rising speed","air flow"]
4) attachement floc – bulles et 5) solubilité des gaz en pression
raised
ot m eulov sag lm
ainM i
fogVm
eulov lmainmi ehT
to ensure the flotation of a particle with mass S and mass
volumetric Qs, in a liquid with a density Q1, is given
through the relationship
 Design duFAD
i tatolfehtfongisedeT
h
basin, recirculation system, system
drainage of clarified water and system of
scraping of the floating objects.

oi t a tol f ehT
rectangular see figure ( ).
swohse lba t ehT
sizing of a DAF system
Flotation Design