CET304

ENVIRONMENTAL
ENGINEERING
MODULE II
TREATMENT OF WATER
 syllabus

• Layout plan of a conventional water treatment plant- site

selection-concept of unit operations and unit processes-
Screening-types of screens-aeration-aerator types
• Theory and principles of sedimentation-Stoke’s law-
Types of settling -Design of plain sedimentation tanks
• Mechanisms of coagulation and flocculation, popular
coagulants and feeding devices
LAYOUT OF WATER
TREATMENT PROCESS
 Methods of Purification of Water
1. Screening
2. Aeration
3. Sedimentation
i. Plain sedimentation
ii. Sedimentation aided with coagulation
4. Filtration
5. Disinfection
6. Softening
7. Miscellaneous treatment such as fluoridation,
recarbonation liming, desalination, etc
• Screening: Removes big and visible objects such as
trees, branches, sticks, vegetation, fish, animal life,
etc.
• Plain Sedimentation: Removes coarser suspended
materials
• Sedimentation aided with coagulation:
Effectiveness of sedimentation is increased by adding
some chemicals
• Filtration: Removes finer particles in suspension
which remains even after sedimentation
• Disinfection: Removes pathogenic bacteria
• Aeration: Removes unpleasant taste and odour
• Softening: Removes Hardness of water
• Fluoridation: Addition of soluble fluoride for
controlling dental caries
• Liming: Addition of lime for controlling acidity and
reduce corrosive action
• Recarbonation: Addition of carbon dioxide to
prevent deposition of calcium carbonate scale
• Desalination: Removal of excess salt
The following points should be kept in mind
while giving layout of any treatment plant.
1. The W.T.P. should be located as near to the town so as to
avoid the contamination.
2. All the units of plant should be located in order of
sequence and flow from one unit to other by gravity.
3. All the units are arranged in such a way that minimum
area is required so as to reduce the cost of construction.
4. Sufficient area should be reserved for the future
expansion
5. Staff quarters and office should be provided near the
treatment plants so that the operators can watch the plants
easily.
6. The site of treatment plant should be very neat and give
very good aesthetic appearance
 SCREENING
• Screens are fixed in the intake works or at the entrance of
treatment plant so as to remove the floating matters as
leaves, dead animals etc.
Coarse screen:
• It consists of parallel iron rods placed vertically or
inclined at 45o – 60o.
• The bars are generally 25mm dia and spaced at 75
-100mm centers.
• It removes bigger floating bodies
Fine screen: Consist of woven wire mesh. It removes fine
materials. Fine screens get clogged easily and are to be
cleaned frequently.
 SEDIMENTATION
• Solids settle based on their gravitational force (with
and without externally added chemicals).
• Settling depend on solid physical characteristics
(diameter, density) and medium temperature,
viscosity, density, etc.
• The process in which the suspended solids are made
to settle by gravity under still water conditions is
called plain sedimentation or discrete settling
(Type 1 settling). The solids particles do not interact
with each other during settling (i.e., discrete particles)
(no change in their size and shape). Ex: settling of
sand.
• When chemicals known as coagulants are added to
induce or hasten aggregation and settling of very fine
matter and colloidal substances, the process is known
as sedimentation with coagulation(Type 2 settling).
Ex: settling of clay; bacteria.
 Different Types Of Settling

• There is a total of four types of settling based on how

the solid particles interact with each other and what
is the concentration of these solids.
1. Discrete settling
2. Flocculent settling
3. Hindered or zone settling
4. Compression settling
Type 1 - Discrete settling

• In discrete settling, particles settle as individual

entities, and there is no significant interaction with
neighboring particles.
• Discrete particles have little tendency to flocculate or
coalesce upon contact with each other and hence they
do not change their size, shape or mass during
settling.
• Discrete settling refers to the sedimentation of
particles in a suspension of low solids concentration.
• Grit in sewage behave like discrete particles and
hence their settling in grit chambers corresponds to
discrete settling.
 Type 2 - Flocculent settling
• In flocculent settling, particles flocculate or coalesce
during settling. By flocculation or coalescing, the
particles increase in mass and thus settle at a faster
rate.
• Flocculent settling refers to the sedimentation of
particles in a rather dilute suspension with
concentration of solids usually less than 1000 mg/l.
• The degree of flocculation depends on the contact
opportunities which in turn are affected by the
surface overflow rate, the depth of the basin, the
concentration of the particles, the range of particle
sizes and the velocity gradient in the system.
• The removal of organic suspended solids from raw or
untreated sewage in primary settling tanks, settling of
chemical floes in settling tanks and of bioflocs in the
upper portion of secondary settling tanks are the
examples of flocculent settling.
Type 3 – Hindered or Zone Settling
• When concentration of flocculent particles is in
intermediate range, they are close enough together so
that inter-particle forces are sufficient to hinder the
settling of neighboring particles resulting in hindered
settling.
• The particles maintain their relative positions with
respect to each other and the whole mass of particles
settles as a unit or zone.
• Concentration of particles = 1500 – 1800mg/l
• This type of settling is applicable to concentrated
suspensions such as are found in secondary settling
tanks used in conjunction with biological treatment
units such as trickling filters and activated sludge
units.
• In the hindered settling zone, the concentration of
particles increases from top to bottom leading to
thickening of sludge.
• Such secondary clarifiers where zone settling occurs
are designed on the basis of solids loading or solid
flux and checked for surface overflow rate, both of
which can be determined by conducting settling
column analysis.
 Type 4 – Compression Settling:
• This refers to settling in which the concentration of
particles is so high that particles are in physical
contact with each other resulting in the formation of
a structure with lower layers supporting the weight of
upper layers.
• Consequently further settling occurs due to
compression of the whole structure of particles and
accompanied by squeezing out of water from the
pores between the solid particles.
• Particle concentration is very high =2000mg/l
 PLAIN SEDIMENTATION (Type I
Settling)
Theory of Sedimentation
• Suspended impurities with specific gravity greater
than that of water settle under gravity if their flow is
retarded.
• The following factors affect sedimentation process:
1. Velocity of flow: Horizontal velocity carries the
particles horizontally without allowing the particles
to settle
2. Viscosity of water: High viscous water resist the
settling of particles
3. Size, shape and specific gravity of particles: Large
sized particles settle more than fine particles
 • The settling tank or sedimentation tanks are provided
for the removal of
i. Readily settled particles
ii. Coagulated impurities such as colour and turbidity
iii. Precipitated impurities such as hardness and iron

In water there are generally two types of suspended

impurities
i. Organic impurities(specific gravity about 1.4)
ii. Inorganic impurities(specific gravity about 2.65)
• A particle that does not alter its shape , size and
weight while settling or rising in water – Discrete
particles
• A discrete particle while falling freely through a fluid,
accelerates under an impelling force, until the
frictional resistance or drag force of the fluid equals
to the impelling force.
• At this stage the particle attains a uniform or terminal
velocity and settles down with a constant velocity
known as settling velocity or hydraulic settling value.
• The impelling force is equal to effective weight of the
particle
• The drag force depends on dynamic viscosity, mass
density , size and shape of the particle
The settling velocity of discrete particles is given by
Stock’s law:

Where ,
Vs – settling velocity in cm/s
g- acceleration due to gravity in cm/s2 (981 cm/s2)
ν- kinematic viscosity of water =1.31cm2/s at 10oC
Ss – Specific gravity of particle
d- diameter of particle in cm
S- Specific gravity of water
Or

At any other temperature, the equation can be written

as,

T- Temperature in oC
 By plain sedimentation the following are the
advantages.
1. Plain sedimentation lightens the load on the
subsequent process.
2. The operation of subsequent purification process can
be controlled in better way.
3. The cost of cleaning the chemical coagulation basins
is reduced.
4. No chemical is lost with sludge discharged from the
plain settling basin.
5. Less quantity of chemicals are required in the
subsequent treatment processes.
 Sedimentation Tank
• These are rectangular or circular tank provided with
low flow velocity for sedimentation.
Depending on nature of flow:
1. Intermittent sedimentation tank(draw and fill type)
2. Continuous sedimentation tank
Depending on direction of flow:
1. Horizontal flow tanks
2. Vertical flow tanks
 1. Intermittent Sedimentation
Tank(Draw and Fill type)
• Water is filled in the tank and allowed to rest for
certain period, during which suspended particles
settle down to bottom of the tank.
• Generally detention period of 24 hours is allowed.
• At the end of detention time, clear water is drawn
from outlet valve.
• The tank is then cleaned and made ready for filling.
• The cleaning may take 6-12 hours. Thus cycle of
operation take 30-36 hours.
• So a minimum 3 such units are required to maintain a
constant supply.
 [Link] Sedimentation Tank
• The water continuously keeps on moving in the tank,
though with a reduced velocity, during which time the
suspended particles settle at the bottom.
• The velocity of flow is so adjusted that time taken by
a particle of water to travel from inlet end to outlet
end is slightly more than the required time for
sedimentation of suspended solids in water.
 3. Horizontal flow tanks
a) Rectangular tanks
• The tank is generally rectangular in plan having
length equal to twice its width
• The water flows practically in a horizontal direction
with a maximum permissible velocity 0.3m/s.
• They consist of number of baffle walls to increase the
effective length of travel of water particles and avoid short
circuiting.
• The floor between the baffles slopes towards centre of the
tank where sludge collecting pipe is located.
• The sludge is finally removed
• The basin can be divided into 4 zones.
i. Inlet zone in which the influent stream disperse
over the cross section at right angles to flow.
ii. Settling zone
iii. Bottom zone or Sludge zone
iv. Outlet zone in which the water remaining
suspended particles assemble and are carried to
the effluent conduit.
• Rectangular tank without hopper with a sludge
hopper at the bottom and slopping bottom.
• It is provided with a mechanical sludge remover.
• The sludge scraped by the sludge scrapers is
collected in the hopper from where it is removed
through the sludge withdrawal pipe connected to the
sludge pump.
b) Circular tanks:
• Costlier to install.
• Convenient for installing mechanical sludge
scrapers
• May have radial or spiral flow( circumferential
flow)
Radial flow circular tanks

Dorr clarifier radial flow circular

• It consist of a circular tank with hopper bottom.
• Provided with a central inlet pipe through which
water mixed with coagulant and is allowed into tank
• The circular deflector box around the inlet pipe
deflects water downwards and then the water flows
radially towards the circumference.
• All the suspended particles and flocs settle down to
the hopper bottom.
• The sludge thus collected on the sloping floor is
removed by a continuously rotating raking arm.
• The raking arm(scraper) rotates very slowly at a
velocity not exceeding 4.5m/hr.
• The sludge collected at the centre is removed through
the sludge outlet pipe.
• Clear water is collected in the outlet channel at the
circumference of the tank.
Circumferential flow circular tanks
• In this tank water enters through the inlet, located at the
circumference and made to flow along the circumference
by means of rotating arm.
• Water while moving slowly, allows the suspended solids
to settle in the tank.
• The sludge thus collected is removed from sludge outlet.
• The outlet provided in the form of a submerged weir is
also provided at the circumference, but is of relatively
short length.
• The effect of inlet velocity is to rotate the water in the
tank and to induce a spiral path to water from inlet to
outlet.
c) Vertical flow Hopper bottom Tank

• Water enters through a centrally placed inlet pipe and is

deflected downwards by the action of a deflector box.
• Water travels vertically downwards through the deflector
box and then deflected to travel upwards.
• During the upward movement, the suspended solids
settles at the bottom of the hopper, from where it is
removed with the help of a sludge pipe connected to a
sludge pump.
• Clear water is drawn off from the outlet channel at the
top.
 Design Elements of Plain
Sedimentation Tank
1. Detention period:
• It is the theoretical time taken by particle of water to pass
between inlet and outlet of sedimentation tank.
• If V is the volume of the basin, Q is the discharge rate and t is
the detention period,
then
• The value of detention period depends on type of
suspended particles present in water
• It may vary from 4 -8 hours in plain sedimentation tanks
and 2 – 4 hours for sedimentation with coagulation.

2. Overflow rate/surface overflow rate/ surface loading

(Vo)
• The quantity of water passing per hour(per day) per unit
horizontal area is known as overflow rate or surface
loading.
• The velocity of settlement (vo) is equal to rate of flow Q
divided by horizontal area A
• Thus the surface loading rate and velocity of settlement
are numerically equal
Vo = 12 - 18 m3/d/m2 (500 – 750 l/hr/m2) for plain
sedimentation
Vo = 24 - 30 m3/d/m2 (1000 – 1250 l/hr/m2) for
sedimentation with coagulation
3. Basin dimensions:
• The surface area of the basin determined on the basis
of overflow rate or surface loading rate.
Surface area,

Depth = 1.8 – 6 m (usually 3 – 4.5m)

• For tank without mechanical scrapper, we should give
additional depth for storage of sludge called sludge
zone
• Provide 0.8 – 1.2 m additional depth as sludge zone
• Provide free board of 0.5 m to avoid over flow
• Width of tank B < 12 m
• Length of tank (L) = (1 - 6) times B
• The cross section area is such as to provide a
horizontal velocity of flow 0.2 – 0.4m/min and
normally about 0.3m/min.
• Horizontal velocity,

• Total amount of water flow from tank for 24 hour =

maximum daily demand
Check against scour
• Flow velocity should be smaller than the scour
velocity to avoid scouring
V < vd
Inlet and Outlet arrangements
• Inlet and outlet arrangements should be such that
minimum disturbance is caused due to influent and
effluent streams.
• A channel extending full width of the tank with
a submerged weir type baffle wall is provided
for entering water.
• An outlet channel extending for full width of
the tank and receiving water after it has
passed over a weir is provided for taking
water outside.
Cleaning and sludge removal
Manual
• Stop water supply and drain off contained water till
depth remaining 30 cm
• Sludge stirred and removed as a slurry through a pipe
provided at the bottom
• Use pick axes to remove hard material.
• Removed sludge is normally thrown into municipal
sewers.
Mechanical
• Mechanical cleaning device are fitted with the
sedimentation tanks in modern treatment systems.
• It scrap sludge and brought to the hopper
at the outlet end, and is removed often.
• Sludge at the bottom is removed by pumping
Short circuit
• If water current permit a portion of water to pass
directly through the tank without detained for
intended time, the flow is said to be short circuited
Flow through period
• Due to short circuiting, actual time will be less than
the intended detention time, actual time is called flow
through period
1. The maximum daily demand at a water purification
plant has been estimated as 12 million liters per day.
Design the dimension of a rectangular sedimentation
tank (fitted with mechanical sludge removal) from the
raw supplies, assuming a detention period of 6 hours
and velocity of flow as 20 cm/minutes
 Mechanisms of coagulation and
flocculation
• Very fine suspended particles and colloidal particles
present in water cannot settle down in plain
sedimentation tank or ordinary detention period. Such
particles can be removed by increasing their size by
changing them into flocculated particles.
• A certain chemicals called coagulants, are added to
water, which on thorough mixing, forms a gelatinous
precipitate called floc.
• The very fine colloidal particles gets attracted and
absorbed in these flocs, forming the bigger sized
flocculated particles.
 It is achieved in 3 stages;
1. Addition of measured quantities of
chemicals(coagulants) to water and thorough mixing.
2. Formation of precipitate with coagulants and forms a
floc.
3. Sedimentation
• The colloidal particles posses surface charges. Most
of colloidal particles in water or waste water are
negatively charged.
• The stationary charged layer on surface is
surrounded by a boundary layer of water, called stern
layer.
• The surface charges on colloidal particles gives them
a long term stability, and hence particles which
otherwise might settle are mutually repelled by their
like charges.
• Coagulation is a chemical technique which is
directed towards the destabilisation of charged
colloidal particles.
• Flocculation is the slow mixing technique which
promotes the agglomeration of the destabilised
particles.
• The overall process of addition of chemicals and
mixing are usually referred to as coagulation.
• The coagulated water if finally made to pass through
sedimentation tank, where the flocculated particles
settle down,, and are thus removed.
• Coagulation before sedimentation is almost
universally accepted in all major water treatment
plants, and is followed by rapid sand filtration.
 Coagulation aided sedimentation will remove following
type of impurities:
1. Miscellaneous fragments of animals and vegetable
matter
2. Phytoplankton
3. Finely divided mineral matters including clay and other
colloidal soils
4. Organic coloring matter, partly in colloidal form and
partly in true solution
5. Bacteria and viruses
6. Complex mixture of colloidal and dissolved organic
compounds derived from sewage and industrial effluents
 Common Coagulants
1. Aluminium sulphate or Alum
2. Chlorinated copperas
3. Ferrous sulphate and lime
4. magnisium carbonate
5. Polyelectrolytes
6. Sodium aluminate
• These coagulants are most efficient when the water
is slightly alkaline.
• In the absence of alkalinity, external alkalies such
as sodium carbonate, or lime etc are added to water
to make it alkaline.
 Alum (Aluminium sulphate,
Al2(SO4)3.18H2O
• Most common and universal coagulant used in
waterworks.
• It requires the presence of alkalinity in water to form
the floc.
• Alum reacts with bicarbonate alkalinities of water,
and form a gelatinous precipitate (floc) of aluminum
hydroxide(2Al(OH)2)
Al2(SO4)3.18H2O+3Ca(HCO3)2 2Al(OH)2+3CaSO4
+18H2O+6CO2
• This floc attracts other finer particles and colloids,
and grows in size, and finally settles down at bottom.
• Alum is found to be effective when
pH of water ranges between 6.5 to 8.5, for the
formation of good floc.
• Its dose depends on turbidity, colour, taste, pH and
temperature of water.
• The dose of alum varies from 5mg/l for
relatively clear water to 85milligrams per litre for
highly turbid water.
• The average dose of alum normally is 17mg/l.
 • There are 2 undesirable outcomes of the process;
i) Formation of permanent hardness by calcium
sulphate
ii) Formation of carbon dioxide which is corrosive to
metals
Advantages
• It reduces taste and colour in addition to turbidity.
• It is cheap and the floc formed is quite tough to break
down
• No need of skilled labour
• Produces crystal clear water

Disadvantages
• Difficult to dewater and dispose the sludge formed
• pH of water should be in the range 6.5 - 8.3
• It cause permanent hardness
• CO2 evolved will cause corrosion
 Chlorinated Copperas
• When chlorine is added to hydrated ferrous sulphate
(Copperas) FeSO4.7H2O, they chemically react and
forms ferric sulphate(Fe2(SO4)3) and ferric chloride
(FeCl3)
• The resultant combination of ferric sulphate and
ferric chloride are called chlorinated copperas.
• It has too high solubility to act as coagulant for
removing colours, especially at low pH range.
• Both of these will form ferric hydroxide floc.
• When used independently, ferric chloride(ferrichlor)
is effective at a pH of 3.5 to 6.5 and above 8.5, and
ferric sulphate(ferrisul) 4 to 7 and above 9.
 Ferrous sulphate and lime
• Ferrous sulphate or copperas can react with natural
calcium bicarbonate alkali in water, but this will take
time. Hence lime is used with ferrous sulphate.
• Ferric hydroxide is a gelatinous satisfactory floc
which is heavier than the floc formed by alum.
• Effective range of pH is 8.5 and above.
 Magnesium carbonate and lime
• When magnesium carbonate and lime are dissolved in
water, magnesium hydroxide and calcium carbonate
are formed.
• These are soluble in water, resulting in the formation
of sludge, which is in a slurry form. Due to this it is
not commonly used.
• It is useful in removing organic colour, iron and
manganese.
 polyelectrolytes
• These are highly molecular weight water soluble
polymers.
• They are classified as anionic, cationic and non-ionic.
• Cationic polyelectrolytes are used as independent
coagulants, while other two are used as coagulant aids
with alum etc.
• Cationic coagulants are available under certain trade
names such as Floccal N, Magnifloc 972, Mogul 980
etc.
 Sodium Aluminate(Na2Al2O4)
• Sodium Aluminate is alkaline in reaction
• It is less used than alum, because it is 1.5 times
costlier than alum.
• It reacts with salts of calcium and magnesium and
Floc formed is calcium or magnesium aluminate, and
removes temporary and permanent hardness
• It is effective in the pH range of 6 – 8.5.
 The constituents of a coagulation
sedimentation tank
• Coagulation sedimentation tank is also called
clariflocculator. It consists of 4 units:
1. Feeding device
2. Mixing device/mixing basin
3. Flocculation tank/flocculator
4. Settling /sedimentation tank
 1. Feeding device
• Two methods of feeding coagulants in water are
i) dry feeding - Coagulant fed in powderd form
ii) wet feeding - Coagulant fed in solution form
 The choice between these two depends upon the
following factors:
1. The characteristics of coagulant and the convenient
with which it can be applied
– Chemicals which clog or which are non-uniform
cannot be fed by dry device. Alum can be fed by
Dry feeding, whereas copperas by wet feeding
2. Amount of coagulant to be added
– If the dose is very small, then it is fed by wet
feeding
3. Cost of coagulant and the size of plant
– If the plant is small then dry feeding is may be
choose, because dry feeding is cheaper and large
plant use wet feeding.
Dry Feeding device

• Consist of a tank with hopper bottom

• The coagulant in the powdered form is filled in the hopper
tank and is allowed to fall in to the mixing basin.
• Agitating plates are placed inside the tank.
• First figure shows, the dose is regulated by the speed of a
toothed wheel, which is connected by venturi device in
the raw water pipe.
• Second figure, the feeding is regulated by helical screw.
The drive unit of helical screw is governed by venturi
device in the raw water pipe.
Wet feeding device

• The solution coagulant of required strength is

prepared and stored in a tank, from where it is
allowed to trickle down in to the mixing basin.
• The level of solution in the tank and rate of flow is
adjusted by means of a float valve and a conical plug
arrangement.
• The solution is stored in a constant head feeding tank.
• The feeding of coagulant to raw water is regulated
through the conical plug, which is governed by
movement of a pulley attached to the rod, which
inturn is rotated by rack and pinion arrangement.
• The raw water channel and float chamber are
interconnected to maintain same level.
• When flow of raw water increases, the float rises, due
to which pinion and pulley rotate in same direction,
thereby rising the conical plug.
• The reverse is true when flow is decreased.
Wet feeding VS Dry feeding
 2. Mixing devices
• After the coagulants are added to water, it is
thoroughly mixed by following methods:
1. Centrifugal pumps
• centrifugal pump is used to raise raw water to
settling tank.
• The required dose of chemicals added to the suction
pipe of the pump, and mixing is done at the impellor
by agitation.
• After the water comes out some gentle agitation is
required to get good results
2. Compressed air agitation
• Raw water fed with coagulant is agitated vigorously
by diffusing compressed air from the bottom of the
mixing basin.
3. Narrow mixing channel with flume
• Coagulant is fed from the feeding tank.
• Turbulence caused by vertical baffles mixes the
chemical thorughly.
• A flume is provided to create the hydraulic jump for
causing turbulance
4. Mixing basin with baffle walls:
• Rectangular tank which are divided by baffle walls.
• In the horizontal or round end type basin, the water
flows horizontally for a short distance, makes a
complete turn and continues back and forth around
the ends of the baffle. This causes turbulance and
hence the mixing.
• Vertical or over and under type used in small plants
has vertically hanging baffle walls due to which water
flows up and down.
• Horizontal flow type is more preferred due to its ease
of cleaning.
• Basins with baffle walls are not used now because of
high head loss and variable velocities.
5. Mixing basin with mechanical devices
• It consists of a rectangular tank with a flash mixer.
• The coagulant added to the water is mixed by the
flash mixer.
• Flash mixer consists of an impeller driven by an
electric motor, and it revolve at high speed.
 3. Flocculators
• After the coagulant is mixed thoroughly, the desired
reactions starts to take place.
• For formation of flocs it is essential that water is kept
in a state of controlled agitation.
• This operation of slow mixing is achieved in a basin
called flocculators.
• The degree of agitation required depends on the
factors like concentration of turbidity, type of
coagulant, dosage etc, but frequently a apaddle speed
of 15-60cm/s is adopted.
 Design criteria
Mixing basin with baffle wall
• The velocity of flow in the channel between the
baffles is 0.15-0.45 m/s
• Detention time 20 – 50 minute
• Distance between baffles (x) should not be less than
45 cm
• The clear opening between the end of each baffle and
the tank wall (y) should be kept 1.5 times the distance
between the baffles (x)
• The floor of channel should slope towards the outlet.
• For around the baffle type, depth obtained by
dividing cross-sectional area of each channel
by distance between baffles
• For around the baffles, depth should not be less
than 1.0 m
• The width of “over and under baffles” is
obtained by dividing the cross-sectional area of
each channel by the spacing of the baffles.
• The effective depth ( effective depth of flow )
is kept 2 to 3 times the distance between the
baffles
Mixing basin with mechanical devices
• The impeller’s speed is kept between 100 to 120 rpm
• Detention period 0.5 – 2 minute
• Power required for flash mixing 2-5 kW/m3 per
minute
Flocculation tank /flocculator
• Paddles rotation 2-3 rpm
• Detention period 20-60 minute ( normally 30 minute)
• The distance between the paddles and the wall or the
floor of the tank 15-30 cm.
Settling /sedimentation tank
• Function design and other details same as that of
plain sedimentation tank
• Detention period 2 to 4 hours
• SOR 24-30 m3/d/m2
Combined Coagulation-cum-sedimentation
tanks
• Flocculation tank combined with sedimentation tank
(known as coagulation sedimentation tank). A plain
floc chamber without any mechanical devices is
provided before the water enters the sedimentation
chamber.
• Detention period for floc chamber is kept at 15-40
minute and that for settling chamber at about 2-4
hours
• The depth in the floc chamber is kept about half that
of in the settling chamber
• Design is same as that of plain sedimentation tank
• Depth of settling tank 3-6m
• Tank is cleaned at intervals of 6 months
 Aeration:
• Brings water and air in close contact in order to remove
dissolved gases (such as carbon dioxide) and oxidizes
dissolved metals such as iron, hydrogen sulfide, and
volatile organic chemicals.
• Aeration brings water and air in close contact by
exposing drops or thin sheets of water to the air or by
introducing small bubbles of air (the smaller the bubble,
the better) and letting them rise through the water.
• The scrubbing process caused by the turbulence of
aeration physically removes dissolved gases from
solution and allows them to escape into the surrounding
air.
• Aeration also helps remove dissolved metals through
oxidation, the chemical combination of oxygen from the
air with certain undesirable metals in the water.
• The efficiency of aeration depends on the amount of
surface contact between air and water, which is
controlled primarily by the size of the water drop or air
bubble.
• Oxygen is added to water through aeration and can
increase the palpability of water by removing the flat
taste.
• Water that contains excessive amounts of oxygen can
become very corrosive. Excessive oxygen can also cause
problems in the treatment plant i.e. air binding of filters
 TYPES OF AERATORS
• Free fall aerators or gravity aerator
• cascade aerator
• Spray aerator
• Air diffuser
• Trickling bed
 [Link] Aerators
• A cascade aerator (one of the oldest and most
common aerators) consists of a series of steps that
the water flows over (similar to a flowing stream).
• In this method water is allowed to fall through a
certain height (1 to 3m) over a series of steps. The
structure so formed is called free fall aerator.
• In all cascade aerators, aeration is accomplished in
the splash zones.
• Splash zones are created by placing blocks across the
incline. (They are the oldest and most common type
of aerators.)
• Cascade aerators can be used to oxidize iron and to
partially reduce dissolved gases.
• CO2 reduction efficiency is 50 – 60%
 2. Spray Aerators
• Spray aerators have one or more spray nozzles
connected to a pipe manifold.
• Water moves through the pipe under pressure, and
leaves each nozzle in a fine spray and falls through
the surrounding air, creating a fountain affect.
• Spray aeration is successful in oxidizing iron and
manganese and increases the dissolved oxygen in the
water.
• CO2 reduction efficiency is 70 – 90%
 3. Air Diffusion:
• In Air diffusion basins, perforated pipe network is
installed at the bottom of the tank, and compressed
air is blown through the pipes.
• The air bubbles travel upward through the water,
thus causing aeration.
• These basins have detention period of 15 minutes
and a depth of 3 to 5 meters.
• Alternately, compressed air may be injected into the
flow of water pipe.
• Aeration under pressure does not remove carbon
dioxide from water.
• It removes colour and odour due to algae
 4. Trickling bed or Tray tower
aerator
• 3-4 trays are filled with coke or stone.
• Thickness of bed is 0.5 -0.6m
• Distance between trays are 0.5m.
• Water is sprayed from distribution pipe at the top.
• During the trickling process aeration takes place.
• Used for removal of Fe and Mn.
• Removes CO2 from water.
• Used in small scale industries where discharge is
very less.
• Efficiency of tray tower aerator is greater than
cascade aerator, and less than air diffuser.