Current research regarding the effects of lamella spacing on sedimentation is an extension of experiments completed during summer 2008: Summer 2008

Fall 2008 Research

Objectives

The purpose of this experiment is to determine the optimal plate settler spacing using tube settlers and a tube floc

Methods

The experimental apparatus was designed to be as robust as possible allowing for various experiments to be conducted using the same setup. The setup is made up of three unit processes, the constant turbidity control, flocculation, and settling column. Our focus for the experiment is on the settling column, where we will be varying certain parameters. We optimized the turbidity control system and the flocculator to create an ideal conditions for floc blanket formation and sedimentation in the settling column.

Schematic

Design Parameters (parameters/equations/length and diameter values/critical settling velocity values)

Uniform Flow

We want uniform upward flow so flow through tube settlers is laminar

Cone
Typical jet dissipation ratio is 1:10
Ratio of cone diffuser 4:6
Mesh
Break up inlet jet into several
weaker jets

Results and Discussion

Obstacles

Flow into bottom bucket
Flow through

Graphs and results from trials

Future Work

Varying
Flow rate
Floc blanket depth
Location of tube settlers