Sedimentointisäiliöitä

Sedimentointisäiliöitä, commonly known as sedimentation tanks or clarifiers in English, are a crucial component in various industrial processes, particularly in wastewater treatment and raw water purification. Their primary function is to remove suspended solid particles from a liquid by allowing them to settle out of suspension under the influence of gravity. This process is fundamental to achieving water clarity and reducing the load of solids before further treatment stages or discharge.

The design of a sedimentation tank typically involves a large, quiescent basin where the flow velocity of the liquid is significantly reduced. This reduction in velocity creates an environment conducive to sedimentation, where denser particles, such as sand, silt, and organic matter, gradually sink to the bottom of the tank. These settled solids accumulate as sludge, which is then periodically removed for disposal or further processing.

Sedimentation tanks can be designed in various configurations, including rectangular, circular, or lamella types. Circular clarifiers are common in wastewater treatment plants, featuring a rotating scraper mechanism to collect the settled sludge towards a central discharge point. Lamella clarifiers, on the other hand, utilize a series of inclined plates to increase the effective settling area within a smaller footprint, enhancing efficiency. The effectiveness of a sedimentation tank is influenced by factors such as flow rate, tank dimensions, and the physical characteristics of the suspended solids.