Multiple Particles in Liquids - Where are we NOW

Have developed equations for hindered settling velocity in batch settling :

UT = terminal velocity of single particle (dilute suspensions)

UrelT = hindered settling velocity (concentrated suspensions)

For batch settling:

Q p = - Qf

= =

leads to
Up = particle settling velocity relative to vessel wall
=
Have various correlations for n
hence can calculate Up for any Rep

Dept of Process Engineering

Stellenbosch University

Particle Technology 316

Multiple Particles in Liquids - Where are we now

Have introduced Particle Flux Plots : Ups vs C

Particle(solids) volumetric settling flux

S = Qp/A
= particle velocity relative to vessel x particle concentration
= Up (1-) = Up C
= Ups

Dept of Process Engineering

Stellenbosch University

Particle Technology 316

Multiple Particles in Liquids - Where are we now

Flux plots (Ups vs C):

Indicate the unique settling characteristics of specific suspension

Are the cornerstones of design procedures for thickeners and

clarifiers

For UNIFORM SIZED SPHERES, plot can be predicted from theory

For real suspensions (distribution of sizes), plot cannot easily be

predicted from theory (theory generally based on uniform,
spherical spheres)

Usually determined from laboratory

experiments (batch settling tests)

Dept of Process Engineering

Stellenbosch University

Particle Technology 316

Multiple Particles in Liquids - Where are we now

Approaches to determine flux plots:

Multiple batch settling tests

Interpolation from a single batch settling test

Dept of Process Engineering

Stellenbosch University

Particle Technology 316

Multiple Particles in Liquids - Batch settling tests

Procedure Batch Settling Tests:

Suspension of particles of known concentration (CB)

prepared in measuring cylinder

Cylinder shaken to thoroughly mix suspension
Cylinder placed on level surface to allow settling
Positions of interfaces are monitored over time
Height-time curve

Particle fluxes are calculated for different concentrations

Flux plot

Dept of Process Engineering

Stellenbosch University

Particle Technology 316

Multiple Particles in Liquids - Types of sedimentation

Two types of sedimentation

Depending on initial concentration CB
Differ in terms of zones of concentration formed
Type 1 sedimentation:
Three zones
Clear liquid zone (A)
Initial concentration zone (B)
Sediment zone (S)

Type 2 sedimentation:
Four zones

Clear liquid zone (A)

Initial concentration zone (B)
Variable concentration zone (E)
Sediment zone (S)
Dept of Process Engineering
Stellenbosch University

Particle Technology 316

Multiple Particles in Liquids - Type 1 sedimentation

Type 1 sedimentation
Zone A: Clear liquid zone (C = 0)
Zone B: Initial concentration zone (C = CB)
Zone S: Sediment concentration zone (C = CS)

Figure from
Rhodes (2008)
Dept of Process Engineering
Stellenbosch University

Particle Technology 316

Multiple Particles in Liquids Type 1 sedimentation

Type 1 sedimentation

Figure from
Rhodes (2008)

Example of height-time curve:

Slopes give velocities of different interfaces

Interface AB descends at constant velocity
Interface BS rises at constant velocity
Interface AS is stationary (end of batch settling test)
Dept of Process Engineering
Stellenbosch University

Particle Technology 316

Multiple Particles in Liquids Type 2 sedimentation

Figure from
Rhodes (2008)

Type 2 sedimentation
Zone A: Clear liquid zone (C = 0)
Zone B: Initial concentration zone (C = CB)

Zone E: Variable concentration zone (CEmin C CEmax)

CEmin and CEmax constant

Zone S: Sediment concentration zone (C = CS)

Dept of Process Engineering

Stellenbosch University

(NB: error in Rhodes)

Particle Technology 316

Multiple Particles in Liquids Type 2 sedimentation

Type 2 sedimentation
Example of height-time curve:

Figure from
Rhodes (2008)

Linear slopes give velocities of different interfaces

Interface AB initially descends at constant velocity
Interfaces BEmin and BEmax rise at constant velocity
Interface AS is stationary (end of batch settling test)
Dept of Process Engineering
Stellenbosch University

Particle Technology 316

Multiple Particles in Liquids - Determination of Type 1 or Type 2

Types of sedimentation
Depending on initial concentration
If interface BX (CB CX CS) rises faster than interface BS:
Zone of variable concentration will form
Therefore Type 2 sedimentation

From flux plot:

Figure from
Rhodes (2008)

Tangent drawn from (CS, 0)

Intersection point: CB1
Tangent point: CB2
Type 1 sedimentation:
CB < CB1 or CB > CB2

Type 2 sedimentation:
CB1 CB CB2
Dept of Process Engineering
Stellenbosch University

Particle Technology 316

Multiple Particles in Liquids - Output of settling tests: H-t curve

Height-time curve
Plot of interface AB position over time

Figure from
Rhodes (2008)

Dept of Process Engineering

Stellenbosch University

Particle Technology 316

Multiple Particles in Liquids Experimental H-t curve

Height-time curves from video data

Influence of type of colour scale
colormap function in Matlab

Influence of range of colour scale

Clim axes property in Matlab

Dept of Process Engineering

Stellenbosch University

Particle Technology 316

Multiple Particles in Liquids - Flux plots from H-t curves

Deriving flux plots from height-time curve:

Approach 1: get h-t curves for multiple starting

concentrations
Approach 2: derive flux plot from a single height-time curve

Figure from
Rhodes (2008)

Dept of Process Engineering

Stellenbosch University

Particle Technology 316

Multiple Particles in Liquids - Batch settling

Approach 1:
Experimentally determine H-t plots for different starting concentrations
Calculate initial slopes for each concentration
Hence get flux for each concentration

v3

v2

c3

v1

c2

US1=v1c1
ps1=v1c1
US2=v2c2
ps2=v2c2
S3=v3c3 etc
Ups3=v3c3

(kg/m2.s)

c1

time
Dept of Process Engineering
Stellenbosch University

Ups S

c (kg/m3)
C

Particle Technology 316

Multiple Particles in Liquids - .

Approach 2 (based on Kynch Theory):

Velocity of interface between clear liquid (A) and
suspension of concentration C at time t:
=

h1 = projected tangential height

Interface velocity from mass balance:

=

, = 0

Velocity of particles at interface

Relative to wall
=

Figure from
Rhodes (2008)

Dept of Process Engineering

Stellenbosch University

Particle Technology 316

Multiple Particles in Liquids - Summary thus far

Deriving flux plot from height-time curve

Plane of concentration C rising from base of vessel:
At time t, this plane has risen h, therefore plane velocity is h/t

Velocity of particles relative to plane of concentration C:

+

Figures from
Rhodes (2008)
Dept of Process Engineering
Stellenbosch University

Particle Technology 316

Multiple Particles in Liquids - Summary thus far

Deriving flux plot from height-time curve

Volume of particles passed through plane of concentration

C after time t is:

= +

This plane is interfacing with clear liquid

All particles have passed through it: 0

Figures from
Rhodes (2008)
Dept of Process Engineering
Stellenbosch University

Particle Technology 316

Multiple Particles in Liquids - Particle Fluxes

Deriving flux plot from height-time curve

1
above

0 = +

Substituting =
0
=
1

gives concentration relation:

Figures from
Rhodes (2008)
Dept of Process Engineering
Stellenbosch University

Particle Technology 316

Multiple Particles in Liquids - Particle flux plot

Summary of Approach 2:

Consider the following batch setting curve, obtained for a suspension

that was initially at a concentration of co and a height of ho.
h0 A

interface
height

hi

i
C

time
Dept of Process Engineering
Stellenbosch University

Particle Technology 316

Multiple Particles in Liquids - Particle flux plot

Summary of Approach 2 (contd):

For the curve AB, the concentration is co, and the settling velocity is vo.

Hence the flux for co may be obtained.

For the variable concentration part of the curve, BC, the following
procedure is applied :

draw a tangent to the curve at any point i , to intersect the h axis at hi.
According to Kynchs theory the concentration of the interface at this point is
given by :
ci hi = co ho
Hence, ci may be calculated.
the settling velocity, vi, at this point is obtained from the gradient of the line hii.
Hence, the flux Upsi for the concentration ci may be calculated.
The above is repeated for various points along BC and CD. Hence, the flux plot is
obtained.

Dept of Process Engineering

Stellenbosch University

Particle Technology 316

Multiple Particles in Liquids - Particle flux plot

Summary of Approach 2 (contd):

The slope of the line from the origin to the point i indicates the velocity at

which a zone of concentration ci propagates upwards

h0 A

interface
height

hi

i
C

grad=vci

time
Dept of Process Engineering
Stellenbosch University

Particle Technology 316

Multiple Particles in Liquids - Summary of lecture

What did we achieve today ?

Know about the different types of settling (Type 1 and Type 2)
Can develop a flux curve (Ups vs c) from multiple settling curves obtained

for different starting concentrations

Can develop a flux curve by construction from a single settling curve
Can calculate the velocity of upward propagation of a zone of any
concentration

Dept of Process Engineering

Stellenbosch University

Particle Technology 316

Multiple Particles in Liquids - Summary of lecture

Important note
We have used flux plots of Volumetric Flux (Ups in m/s) vs Volumetric

Concentration (C)
Many texts use flux plots of Mass flux (S in kg/m2.s) vs Mass Concentration
The form of the plot is similar and the manipulation is the same

Ups S

(m/s)
(kg/m2.s)

(kg/m2.s)

c (kg/m3)
C
Dept of Process Engineering
Stellenbosch University

c (kg/m3)

Particle Technology 316