Design of System Module for Couette Flow Settler

Abstract

Couette flow settling may prove to be an efficient application of shallow-depth sedimentation. The proper design of the settling system calls for the working out of the theory of settling in the system and the study of its control parameters.

The theory of couette flow settling has been developed, and the control parameters have been studied. Design procedure for the system has been presented and illustrated with the help of solution to a design problem for the system.

Notations

x, y, α :

Instantaneous coordinates of the settling particle

Q :

Flow rate per unit width

h :

Distance of separation between consecutive parallel plates

θ :

Angle of inclination

${v}_s$ :

Settling velocity of the particle

${v}_{cr},{v}_c$ :

Critical fall velocity

$L,{l}_c$ :

Length or critical length of the plate

${y}_s$ :

The vertical distance from the bottom at which a particle enters and just reaches the bottom travelling through the distance L

${C}_s$ :

Concentration of solids with particles having settling velocity v _s

${C}_0$ :

Concentration of solids with particles having settling velocities ${v}_s\ge {v}_{cr}$

n :

Friction factor

k :

Characteristic constant of the sediment

S :

Specific gravity of the material of solids

d :

Diameter of the particle

$\nu$ :

Kinematic viscosity