Inclined Plate Clarifiers.

A gravity clarifier is the most economical method of removing solids from liquid because natural
gravity is the source of energy and it is free. A clarifier simply provides a non-turbulent zone
where heavier than liquid solids, suspended by turbulence, are given sufficient time to settle to
a quiescent surface. The inclined plate clarifiers are compact units with multiple layers of
settling area utilizing less than 25% of the floor space required by conventional clarifiers.
Principle of Horizontal Clarifier

A particle carried forward by the velocity of the liquid flow must settle at a rate that allows it to
reach the bottom before passing through the clarifier. Thus, particles beginning at a point "a"
must traverse some route lying between ab and ab' in order to avoid being carried over the
outlet.

If V is the horizontal velocity of the liquid, S the solids particle vertical settling velocity, L the
length of the settling device, and D its depth, then particles entering at point A will settle to the
bottom of the device only if V does not exceed: S(L/D)
Since V
max
/ S = L / D then, V
max
= S (L / D)
Therefore, the velocity at which a horizontal clarifying device may be operated successfully is
directly proportional to its length and inversely proportional to its depth.
This analysis applies to multiple horizontal plate units also. The spacing between plates is
usually a few inches as opposed to a depth of several feet in a horizontal tank; therefore,
"settling-out" times are dramatically reduced. The flow must be non-turbulent to prevent settled
solids from being reentrained within the moving liquid. Small plate spacing and a large surface
area permits laminar flow at higher velocities than large horizontal tanks would allow.
Horizontal clarifying devices become self-flushing if they are inclined at an angle which
exceeds the angle of repose of the settled solids. In such cases, flow enters the lower end of
the device where settling particles move to the floor eventually sliding back out the entrance.
Clear effluent leaves the top of the device.
However, when the device is inclined, the furthest settling particles no longer fall through
distance D but some longer distance D'. This new longer settling distance D' is related to D by
the relation: D =D' cos .


Theta "" is the angle, the device is inclined to the horizontal plane. Thus settling distance is
increased by the factor: 1/cos In the case where =60, 1/cos =2.

The maxi mum settling distance is twice the distance between the plates. It is apparent then
that the lower the angle of inclination, the smaller the settling distance. However, the angle of
inclination must exceed the angle of repose of the solids to be separated. The previous
equation may be modified to express the cosine of an inclined plate clarifying system as:
V
max
= L / (D / cos) (s) = Lcos / D (s)

Inclined Plate Clarifier

A reduction of the required floor space is acquired by diminishing the separation between the
horizontal plates to a few inches and stacking the settling surfaces. Inclining the plates to
provide self flushing, 45 for heavy particles and 60 for light particles, reduces the available
horizontal projected area (effective settling area) by a factor equivalent to the cosine of the
angle. The surface area diagram (below) graphically compares the floor space requirements of
an inclined plate clarifier with the equivalent horizontal projected settling area.
Settling Rate

The settling rate for a specific solids should be determined by standard laboratory tests. Light
particles, such as metal hydroxides, usually require a design parameter of 0.5 m3 / h m2 of
horizontal projected area. These low density solids require the inclined plates to be set at a 60
angle to induce the particles to slide down the plate. Heavier particles (such as sand that easily
flow) will readily slide from plates set at a 45 angle.

Maximum flow rate of an inclined plate clarifier is based on the flow rate per unit of a
horizontally projected surface area. Retention time in the clarifier is not a design criteria.
However, attaining optimum performance requires the prudent design to recognize several
additional, very important factors.





Inlet Plenum

An inlet plenum must be provided to uniformly distribute the influent to the inclined plate
compartments. Laminar flow must be established as the flow enters the plate area. The
hydraulic momentum of the incoming liquid must be dissipated to prevent channeling. The
design does not use orifices which may clog with heavy suspended solids.
Outlet Area

The outlet area must be designed to force uniform flow from all plate compartments and also
over the entire width of the plates. For example, wide plates (4 foot and over) with side outlets
do not utilize the center section and must be proportionately decreased. A poorly designed
outlet can result in one 50-60% plate utilization. The clarifier utilizes an orifice type weir with
orifices placed on each side of the plate to force uniform flow from each compartment.

Equalization Compartment

The inclined plate clarifier provides equalized flow between two or more plate packs. After
installation, clarifiers will often settle which creates channeling and turbulence through one of
the plate packs. A prudent design prohibits channeling.
Solids Renoval

Solids sliding off the plates must be provided with a sufficiently large compartment to insure
adequate capacity for the accumulated solids. Turbulence and channeling are avoided by
continuously removing the solids which will disrupt the flow pattern if allowed to build up and
contact the inclined plate.
There are essentially only two designs of sludge storage compartments in general use. The
conventional design is an inverted cone or pyramid with angles to match the expected angle of
repose of the solids to be collected.
Due to the hydrostatic head present before and during sludge removal, two adverse conditions
tend to be created. The sludge which accumulates between draw downs will compact,
changing its angle of repose. With the draw off pipe open the hydrostatic head will cause the
more fluid supernatent to create a channel (rat hole) from the top sludge layer to the outlet.
The result is too much liquid and not enough sludge removed.
The preferred design is a compartment with almost a flat bottom and a top driven motorized
rake which will break up compacted sludge and direct the sludge to the center discharge point
preventing the "rat hole" phenomenon. This design also allows for the maximum amount of
sludge storage below the plates for a given ght (three time as much as a cone bottom design).

Inclined Plate Clarifier with Motorized Sludge Rake


Sludge Thickening

For most applications there is insufficient volume below the inclined plates to provide adequate
storage time to attain sludge thickening or compaction. A secondary tank is required to provide
sufficient storage time to accumulate and thicken the collected solids. Laboratory studies must
be performed on each sludge to determine thickening rate. Usually sludges must be retained in
non-turbulent condition for 4-24 hours to reach an optimum concentration. A typical well-
flocculated clarifier influent may contain 300-500 ppm suspended solids. The solids will settle
to a volume of approximately 10% of the initial volume (0.3-0.5%). Hence, a 10% underflow is
required to remove the accumulated solids. The sludge accumulator or sludge thickener must
have the capacity to store the accumulated solids for at least 24 hours. The filter press or other
compaction device must be sufficiently large to continuously compact the collected solids.

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