SEDIMENTATION

Physical unit operation

Removal of settleable solids and thickening of sludge
Sedimentation is the process of allowing particles in suspension in water to settle out of the
suspension under the effect of gravity. The particles that settle out from the suspension
become sediment, and in water treatment is known as sludge. When a thick layer of
sediment continues to settle, this is known as consolidation. When consolidation of
sediment, or sludge, is assisted by mechanical means then this is known as thickening.
In water treatment sedimentation might be used to reduce the concentration of particles in
suspension before the application of coagulation, to reduce the amount of coagulating
chemicals needed, or after coagulation and, possibly, flocculation. When sedimentation is
applied after coagulation, its purpose is usually to reduce the concentration of solids in
suspension so that the subsequent filtration can function most effectively.
Sedimentation is one of several methods for application prior to filtration: other options
include dissolved air flotation and some methods of filtration. Generically, such solids-liquid
separation processes are sometimes referred to as clarification processes.
There is a variety of methods for applying sedimentation and include: horizontal flow, radial
flow, inclined plate, ballasted floc and floc blanket sedimentation