sedimentointisäiliössä

Sedimentointisäiliö, often translated as sedimentation tank or clarifier, is a crucial component in many industrial and municipal water treatment processes. Its primary function is to remove suspended solids from a liquid by gravity. The design of a sedimentation tank relies on Stokes' Law, which describes the settling velocity of particles based on their size, density, and the viscosity of the liquid.

Water or wastewater enters the sedimentation tank at a relatively low velocity. This reduced flow rate allows heavier suspended particles, such as sand, silt, and organic matter, to settle to the bottom of the tank due to gravity. As these solids accumulate, they form a layer of sludge, which is periodically removed from the tank. The clarified liquid, now with a significantly reduced concentration of suspended solids, then flows out from the top of the tank for further treatment or discharge.

Different types of sedimentation tanks exist, including rectangular, circular, and inclined plate clarifiers, each optimized for specific applications and flow rates. The efficiency of a sedimentation tank is influenced by factors such as the inflow velocity, the depth and surface area of the tank, and the characteristics of the suspended solids. These tanks are fundamental in processes like drinking water purification, sewage treatment, and industrial effluent management, playing a vital role in ensuring water quality and environmental protection.