Scientific Bulletin of the The 6th International Conference on

Politehnica University of Timisoara Hydraulic Machinery and Hydrodynamics

Transactions on Mechanics Special issue Timisoara, Romania, October 21 - 22, 2004

SOLID CONCENTRATION DISTRIBUTIONS IN SETTLING TANK

Dan Niculae ROBESCU, Szabolcs LANYI,

Professor Professor
Department of Hydraulics and Hydraulic “Sapientia “University of Miercurea Ciuc
Machinery
“Politehnica” University of Bucharest
Attila VERESTOY, Diana Lacramioara Robescu
Lecturer Associated Professor
“Sapientia “University of Miercurea Ciuc Department of Hydraulics and Hydraulic
Machinery
“Politehnica” University of Bucharest
*Corresponding author: Str. Radna 28, Sector 6, 060231 Bucharest, Romania
Tel.: (+40) 021 2126946, Fax: (+40) 021 4029493, Email: robescu@hydrop.pub.ro

ABSTRACT ABBREVIATIONS
All the installations for wastewater treatment have in inlet section in settling tank
settling tanks. The studies of solid particles motion in out outlet section of settling tank
settling tank are most important for optimum shape
and dimensions of these basins. The paper presents a 1. INTRODUCTION
model for these studies based on the dispersion equation. The settling tank is the most important object from
The numerical integration, in adequate boundaries wastewater treatment plant. Its destination is to separate
conditions for horizontal settling tank, give us the the solid phase from mixture due to different specific
concentration curves for solid particles at different weight. It is very important to determinate the concen-
values of the concentration of solid - fluid mixture. In tration profiles. Based on them the designer can give
this way it is possible to establish the optimum dimen- the shape and optimum dimension of settling tank.
sions of the sedimentation basin. In settling tank appears the following processes:
a) The discrete granulated particles settling due to
KEYWORDS different specific weight and hydrodynamic
Dispersion, diffusion, mixture flow, settling tank, conditions;
concentration profiles, solid particles, fluid b) Dispersion of solid particles due to the turbulent
motion of the mixture;
NOMENCLATURE c) Transport of solid particles by the motion of the
mixture;
Qi
u0 = [m/s] axial velocity of fluid d) It is necessary to separate the clean water by sludge
BH for wastewater clarification.
4 gd ρ s − ρ f
w = [m/s] terminal velocity of
3 CR ρf 2. CONCENTRATION PROFILES FROM
DISPERSION EQUATION
solid particle
In rectangular settling tank appears the following
vs = (u0 )2 + (w)2 [m/s] settling velocity of solid aspects:
particle a) The permanent flow of mixture;
2
g [m/s ] gravity b) The stationary regime;
ε [m2/s] turbulent dispersion coefficient c) The piston flow with the u0 velocity of fluid;
Subscripts and Superscripts The motion of solid particles is given by two
x axial direction Qi
components of velocities u 0 = – the horizontal
z vertical direction BH

719
 In these conditions the equation (2) became:
x
∂C ∂
in
y
out
+ (u C ) + ∂ (w C ) =
∂t ∂x ∂z , (3)
Qin Qef ∂ C
2
∂ C
2
εx +εz
∂x 2 ∂z 2
z which can be solved for obtaining concentration distri-
bution in analytical mode and numerical integration.
Figure 1 The axis of settling tank
3. ANALITICAL SOLUTION FOR
4 gd ρ s − ρ f DISPERSION EQUATION
velocity of fluid and w = - terminal
3 CR ρf Let us considered that the regime of motion is
velocity of solid particles. The resultant of the two permanent and stationary and then result ∂ C ∂ t = 0 . In
velocities represents the value of settling velocities this condition the equation 3 for stationary regime
vs = (u0 )2 + (w)2 , which moves the particle along became:
∂
(u C ) + ∂ (w C ) = ε x ∂ C2 + ε z ∂ C2 . (4)
2 2
the diagonal of the rectangle formed by the two
velocities. ∂x ∂z ∂x ∂z
Let us consider the dispersion equation in general form: For simplicity it is necessary to consider the
following hypothesis:
∂C
+
∂
(u C ) + ∂ (v C ) + ∂ (w C ) = ∂ ⎛⎜⎜ ε x ∂ C ⎞⎟⎟ 1. the solid particles dispersion along x axis are
∂t ∂x ∂y ∂z ∂x ⎝ ∂x ⎠
neglected;
∂ ⎛ ∂C ⎞ ∂ ⎛ ∂C ⎞ 2. between the concentration gradient along the two
+ ⎜⎜ ε y ⎟⎟ + ⎜⎜ ε z ⎟+
∂y ⎝ ∂y ⎠ ∂z ⎝ ∂ z ⎟⎠
axis Ox and Oz there is the relation: ∂ C 〈〈 ∂ C ,
⎛ ∂2C ∂2C ∂2C ⎞ ∂x ∂z
+ D m ⎜⎜ + + ⎟ + S (x , y , z , t ) , (1)
⎟ due to gravity forces; therefore the first gradient
⎝ ∂x ∂y 2 ∂z 2
2
⎠
can be neglected in respect with the second one
where u, v, w are the velocity components of fluid and we get the equation:
motion, C is the values of concentrations of mixture,
∂
(w C ) = ε z ∂ C2 ,
2
εx, εy, εz are the dispersion coefficients, Dm is diffusion (5)
constant (if the phases are no conservative), and ∂z ∂z
S(x,y,z,t) represent the source of mixture (if is neces- in which is necessary to considered the solid particle
sary). terminal velocity w. Thus, if the terminal velocity w
This equation is considered in the following conditions: and diffusivity along the vertical axis εz are constant
a) no interaction between solid and fluid components (in these hypothesis) we get, by integration the equa-
∆C = 0; masic diffusion is zero; ∂C
b) the motion in horizontal settling tank is the same in tion (5), wC = ε z (the integration constant is zero
∂z
vertical plane; results a motion in two dimensions
because diffusive flux are equilibrated by gravity flux,
planes (figure 1);
so that the concentration C corresponding to a level
c) the motion is permanent and stationary;
z does not vary in time) and then:
d) the values of the coefficients εx, εz are constants;
e) the component of transport motion u is given by C
dC w
z

u0 fluid velocity and the w is the terminal velocity ∫C C = ε z ∫ dz .

of particle. 0 z0

To describe this process one considers the dispersion We get the final solution
equation in dynamics of mixture flow in bidimensional
C w
model:
ln = (z − z0 )
∂C ∂ C0 ε z
+ (u C ) + ∂ (w C ) = or
∂t ∂x ∂z ; (2)
∂ ⎛ ∂C ⎞ ∂ ⎛ ∂C ⎞ ⎡w ⎤
⎜ε x ⎟+ ⎜ε z ⎟ + S (x , z , t ) C = C0 exp ⎢ ( z − z 0 )⎥ . (6)
∂ x ⎜⎝ ∂ x ⎟⎠ ∂ z ⎜⎝ ∂ z ⎟⎠ ⎣ε z ⎦
in which the source can be considered by form S = This solution are represented in figure 2 as curves
QC / V because the solid particles are transported by family in which w – terminal velocity of solid particles
the flow and the mixture enters in the feed zone. is the parameter.

720
 EQUATIONS
z0 C/C0
L {(ros*us-
H rof*u0)*dt(C)+}u0*dx(C)+w*dy(C)=eta*(dxx(C)+e
tu*dyy(C))
in out BOUNDARIES
Region 1
start (0,0)
value(C) = 0.2
z line to (0,-H)
natural (C) = 0
Figure 2. The theoretical allure of curves for line to (L,-H)
concentration distributions natural (C)=0
line to (L,0)
The analytical solution is simple, easy for calculate,
value (C) = 0.01
and comparable with real data. It is necessary to
line to finish
determinate the variation of diffusivity coefficient εz INITIAL VALUES
with another parameters (such as variable z) and C=0
variation law for terminal velocity with concentration. TIME
from 0 by 0.1 to 2
4. NUMERICAL RESULTS PLOT
Let us considered the (3) equation in bidimensional Contour(C)
model in order to validate our methodology. For numeri- Distributia concentratiei suspensiilor intr-un bazin de sedimentare 16:36:09 12/14/02
FlexPDE 2.21b
cal calculate is used the FlexPDE programme. This 0. a a a b a a a a a
C
zoom(0,-H,L/4,H)
programme allows solving partial derivative equations q
i
p
j
l
c
d max
t:
0.20
0.20
using finite elements method. In this way is possible -0.5
n g
f
e s:
r:
q:
0.19
0.18
0.17
to calculate the solid particle concentration in every h p:
o:
n:
0.16
0.15
0.14
part of settling tank. -1. k
m:
l:
0.13
0.12
k: 0.11
j: 0.10
Boundary conditions
Y

i: 0.09
h: 0.08
-1.5 g: 0.07

The boundary conditions for computing the mixture f:

e:
d:
0.06
0.05
0.04

flow within a solution domain are as follows: -2.

o
c:
b:
a:
0.03
0.02
0.01

1. inflow concentration Ci = 0.2; s

r m
min 0.01

2. concentration flux on the bottom of settling tank -2.5

and the right side of basin is zero; 0. 3. 6.

X
9. 12.

3. the concentration on the free surface is 0.01. This var8: Grid#10 p2 Nodes=357 Cells=154 RMS Err= 2.2e-4

condition are suitable for real process. Integral= 4.211893

The programme in FlexPDE syntax is presented Figure 3. The concentration curves in the first
below: quarter of settling tank
VARIABLES Distributia concentratiei suspensiilor intr-un bazin de sedimentare 16:36:09 12/14/02
FlexPDE 2.21b

C 0. a a a a a a a a a a a a
C
zoom(L/4,-H,L/2,H)
DEFINITIONS f
c
b
max
y:
0.13
0.13
Q = 0.16 {inflow of wastewater, m3/s} -0.5 h
e
d
x:
w:
v:
0.13
0.12
0.12
L = 50 {length of settling tank, m} j
i
u:
t:
s:
0.11
0.11
0.10
n g
B = 10 {width of settling tank, m} -1.
o
k r:
q:
0.10
0.09
p: 0.09
H = 2.5 {depth of settling tank, m} p o: 0.08
Y

m n: 0.08
r
m: 0.07
ros = 1080 {solid particle’s density, kg/m3} -1.5 l:
k:
0.07
0.06
j: 0.06
rof = 1000 {water density, kg/m3} v

w
s l i:
h:
0.05
0.05

{gravity, m/s2} x g: 0.04

g = 9.81 -2. u
t
q f:
e:
0.04
0.03

eta = 10^(-0.5) { dispersion coefficient m2/s} y d:

c:
b:
0.03
0.02
0.02

etu = 10^(-2) { dispersion coefficient m2/s}

-2.5 a: 0.01
min 0.01
15. 20. 25. 30. 35.
u0 = Q/(B*H) {horizontal velocity of water, m/s} X

a = (ros-rof)/rof var8: Grid#10 p2 Nodes=357 Cells=154 RMS Err= 2.2e-4

Integral= 3.746801
ws = Q/(B*L) {surface loading rate, m/s}
us = 0.910*u0 Figure 4 The concentration distribution in the middle
w = 1.095*ws of settling tank

721
 Distributia concentratiei suspensiilor intr-un bazin de sedimentare 16:36:09 12/14/02
FlexPDE 2.21b 6. CONCLUSIONS
The paper presents a methodology for computing
C
0. zoom(L/2,-H,3*L/4,H)
a
b

e d
c
max
w:
v:
8.06
7.80
7.50
the two dimensions incompressible flow of the solid –
-0.5 u:
t:
7.20
6.90 fluid mixture in rectangular settling tank. Using the
s: 6.60
l
f
r:
q:
6.30
6.00 dispersion equation we get the concentration curves in
rectangular settling basin for any particles with given
g p: 5.70
-1. h o: 5.40
k
m i n: 5.10
p m: 4.80
w – terminal velocity.
Y

l: 4.50
j k: 4.20
-1.5
s
r n j:
i:
3.90
3.60 In this way we get the optimum shape and dimen-
h: 3.30
t
o
g:
f:
3.00
2.70 sion of settling tank for different design conditions.
-2. e: 2.40
d: 2.10
c: 1.80
v
w
u
q
b:
a:
min
1.50
1.20
1.00
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
-2.5

25. 30. 35. 40. 45. 50. 55. 60.

Scale = E-2
The present work has been supported by theoretical
X and experimental research by Mixture Flow and Equip-
var8: Grid#10 p2 Nodes=357 Cells=154 RMS Err= 2.2e-4
Integral= 2.504403
ment for Wastewater Treatment Laboratory from the
POLITECHNICA University of Bucharest, Power
Figure 5 The concentration curves in the last part of Engineering Faculty.
settling tank
Distributia concentratiei suspensiilor intr-un bazin de sedimentare 16:36:09 12/14/02
REFERENCES
FlexPDE 2.21b

0. a a a a a a a a a a a a a
C
zoom(0,-H,L,H)
1. Cussler, E.L. Diffusion. (1984) Mass transfer in
k
m
n
max
t:
0.20
0.20
fluid systems. Cambridge University Press.
-0.5 r
o g
h
b s:
r:
q:
0.19
0.18
0.17
2. Eckenfelder W.W. (1961) Biological wastewater
treatment. Pergamon Press, New York.
s p: 0.16
i o: 0.15
j n: 0.14
-1.
e
c m:
l:
k:
0.13
0.12
0.11
3. Harvey, G.J. (1977) Mathematical modeling of
j: 0.10
biological systems. Ed. John Wiley, New York.
Y

d i: 0.09
h: 0.08
-1.5 g:
f:
e:
0.07
0.06
0.05
4. Jeppsson, Ulf. (1996) Modeling aspects of waste-
p f d:
c:
0.04
0.03 water treatment processes. Lund University,
b: 0.02
Sweden.
-2. q
a: 0.01
min 0.01

l 5. Metcalf & Eddy (1991) Wastewater engineering.

Treatment, disposal, reuse. McGraw Hill New
-2.5

0. 10. 20. 30. 40. 50.

X York.
var8: Grid#10 p2 Nodes=357 Cells=154 RMS Err= 2.2e-4
Integral= 8.901599
6. Marsili-Libelli. S., Modelli (1989) Matematici per
l*Ecologia, Ed. Pitagora, Bologna.
Figure 6 The concentration distribution in the 7. Orhon, D., Artan, N., (1994) Modelling of Activated
settling tank Sludge Systems, Technomic Publ. London.
8. Robescu, Dan, Szabolsc Lanyi, Robescu Diana,
5. EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES Constantinescu Ionel, Verestoy Attila (2001)
Wastewater Treatment. Editura Tehnică Bucureşti.
9. Roques H. (1980) Foundaments theoretique du
In Mixture Flow and Wastewater Equipment Labora- traitement biologique des eaux. Technique et et
tory was made a rectangular settling tank model for Documentation, Paris.
hydrodynamical studies. This model is similary with 10. Schutze, M. R., Butler, D., (2002) Modelling,
real settling tank. In order to respect the physical Simulation and Control of Urban Wastewater
phenomena this model is distorsioned. The scale of Systems, Springer Verlag, Londra.
modelation for depth are greater than scale for lenght 11. Seborg, D.E., Edgar, T.F., Mellicamp, D.A. (1989)
and for width one. In this way the model respects solid Process Dynamics and Control, Ed. John Wiley,
particle sedimentation and the influence of walls is New York.
neglected. The experimental studies can give us the
concentration profiles when the settling tank is fed
with a mixture of water and other compound, with a
different specific weight. This model of settling tank
allows to identify the concentration profiles for differ-
ent mixture, concentration, flow rate inflow etc. The
visual observation shows the agreement between the
experiment and theory.

722