Type I Sedimentation

The following particle size and settling velocity data was obtained from a particle size
distribution analysis and application of Stokes Law (Table 1). These data can be used to
size a sedimentation pond for the capture of particles that exhibit Type I settling
characteristics.

Table 1. Particle size distribution and settling velocity data.

Settling
Velocity Fraction
D (mm) (fpm) Finer than
0.210 7.80 0.56
0.151 4.02 0.48
0.106 1.98 0.37
0.075 1.00 0.19
0.061 0.66 0.05
0.053 0.50 0.02

Step 1: Plot Fraction Finer Than vs. Settling Velocity (Figure 1).
Step 2: Select a design particle size that you want to be completely removed and calculate
its settling velocity.
Step 3: Utilize Figure 2 and the following equation to determine total percent removal.

R = (1 Fo ) +
1
vo
v s dF

where
R = total fraction of particles removed (1)
Fo = fraction of particles removed with settling velocities less than vo
vo = design particle settling velocity
v s = particle settling velocity
 0.6

0.55 Fo
0.5

0.45

0.4
Fraction Finer Than

0.35

0.3

0.25

0.2

0.15

0.1 vo
0.05

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5
Settling Velocity (fpm)

Figure 1. Particle size distribution

0.6

0.55

0.5

0.45

0.4
Fraction Finer Than

0.35

0.3

0.25

0.2

0.15

0.1

0.05

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5
Settling Velocity (fpm)

Figure 2. Determination of fraction of particle removed with settling velocity

less than the design particle (vo) through graphical integration.
Equation 1 can be modified to enable the area calculation through graphical integration as
shown below.

R = (1 Fo ) +
1
vo
v F
s (2)

This integration approach is shown in Figure 2 and Table 2. The total fraction removed is
calculated as

R = (1 .48) +
1
0.69 fps
4.02 fps
= 0.52 + 0.17 = 0.69

Table 2. Calculation of fraction removed with settling

velocities less than vo through graphical integration
(Figure 2).
Vp (fpm) del F Vp*del F
0.5 0.05 0.025
0.78 0.05 0.039
0.8 0.05 0.04
0.95 0.05 0.0475
1.12 0.05 0.056
1.32 0.05 0.066
1.7 0.05 0.085
2.1 0.05 0.105
2.77 0.05 0.1385
3.7 0.025 0.0925
sum 0.6945

If 69% solids removal is determined to be acceptable, a Type I settling basin for

wastewater treatment can be sized using the following design guidelines. Sizing the depth
and width of the basin are based upon allowing for sufficient grit storage capacity and
maintaining a flow through velocity of 0.5 ft/sec to 1.3 ft/sec with approximately 1 ft/sec
being the optimum. Maintaining a velocity greater than 0.5 ft/sec keeps organic solids in
suspension, which are carried out of the channel with the flow to the downstream
treatment processes. Typical grit chamber depths are in the range of 2 ft to 5 ft1.

1
Design criteria are from: WEF Manual of Practice No. 8, Design of Municipal Wastewater Treatment
Plants, Vol. 1. Water Environment Federation, Pub. (1991).