Settling Velocity Formula:
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Settling Velocity is defined as the terminal velocity of a particle in still fluid. It represents the constant speed that a particle achieves when the gravitational force pulling it downward is balanced by the drag force and buoyancy acting upward.
The calculator uses the settling velocity formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula calculates the settling velocity of particular sized particles based on the discharge rate and the plan area of the sedimentation tank.
Details: Calculating settling velocity is crucial in water and wastewater treatment processes for designing sedimentation tanks, determining particle removal efficiency, and optimizing treatment system performance.
Tips: Enter discharge in cubic meters per second (m³/s) and area in square meters (m²). Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero.
Q1: What factors affect settling velocity?
A: Settling velocity is influenced by particle size, density, fluid viscosity, and gravitational acceleration.
Q2: How is this formula different from Stokes' law?
A: This is an empirical formula specifically for sedimentation tank design, while Stokes' law describes settling in ideal conditions for small spherical particles.
Q3: What are typical settling velocity values?
A: Values vary widely depending on particle characteristics, but typically range from 0.001 to 0.1 m/s for most sedimentation applications.
Q4: Can this formula be used for all particle sizes?
A: This formula is specifically designed for particular sized particles in sedimentation tank applications and may not be applicable to all particle size ranges.
Q5: How does tank area affect settling velocity?
A: Larger tank areas reduce flow velocity, allowing more time for particles to settle, which effectively increases the settling efficiency.