CHAPTER 4 -

MULTIPLE PARTICLES IN A FLUID

GUIDE TEXTBOOK:
RHODES – CHAPTER 3 - MULTIPLE PARTICLE SYSTEMS
HINDERED SETTLING AND ZONE THEORY
 SETTLING OF A SUSPENSION OF PARTICLES

 The close proximity of many particles in a fluid causes that the motion of each
particle to be influenced by the presence of the others.
 In practice, the concentrations of suspensions used in industry will usually be high
enough for there to be significant interaction between particles
 In the case of many particles flowing in a fluid, the previous analysis is no longer
valid, but can be adapted to model the multiple particle system.
SETTLING OF A SUSPENSION OF PARTICLES

For a suspension of particles in a Fluid, Stoke´s Law is assumed to apply, but an

effective suspension viscosity and effective average suspension density are used:

Where is the voidage or volume fraction occupied by the fluid

SETTLING OF A SUSPENSION OF PARTICLES

Taking the drag coeffient for a single particle in the Stoke´s Law Region:

And Substituting the effective viscosity and average density for the suspension, Stoke´s
Law now becomes:

Where is the relative velocity of the particle to the fluid

SETTLING OF A SUSPENSION OF PARTICLES

Substituting in the equation of drag force, weight and buoyancy we have:

Substituting average density and effective viscosity of the suspension, we obtain an

expression for the terminal falling velocity for a particle in a suspension:

Which means:

is known as the particle settling velocity in the presence of other particles or:
HINDERED SETTLING VELOCITY
HINDERED SETTLING
 When the concentration of the suspension is high enough for there to be a significant
interaction between the particles, and the frictional force exerted at a given velocity of
the particles relative to the fluid may be greatly increased as a result of modifications
of the flow pattern, it is said that hindered settling takes place.
 The sedimentation rate of a particle in a concentrated suspension may be considerably
less than its terminal falling velocity under free settling conditions when the effects of
mutual interference are negligible.
 Sedimentation velocity of particles tends to decrease steadily as the concentration of
the suspension is increased, but it has been shown, that particle sin very dilute
suspensions may settle at velocities up to 1.5 times the normal terminal falling
velocities, due to the formation of clusters of particles which settle in well defined
streams.
SETTLING OF A SUSPENSION OF PARTICLES

Assuming that both the fluid and the particles are incompressible, and that the volume
flowrates, and , of the fluid and the particles are constant.
We define and , as the superficial velocities of the fluid and particles,

Where A is the vessel cross-sectional area

SETTLING OF A SUSPENSION OF PARTICLES

Under isotropic conditions, the flow areas occupied by the fluid and the particles are:

So continuity gives:
SETTLING OF A SUSPENSION OF PARTICLES

SETTLING OF A SUSPENSION OF PARTICLES

So the actual velocities of the fluid and the particles are:

BATCH SETTLING
SETTLING FLUX AS A FUNCTION OF SUSPENSION CONCENTRATION
HINDERED SETTLING AND ZONE THEORY

 METHOD:
 Mix the suspensión
 Watch it Settle
 Check for and interface between suspensión and the clearer liquid
 IF the interphase is present, then the system is within the hindered settling
regime
 BATCH SETTLING
SETTLING FLUX AS A FUNCTION OF SUSPENSION CONCENTRATION

When a batch of solids in suspensión are allowed to settle in a container, such as a

measuring cylinder in the laboratory, there in no net Flow through the vessel, therefore:

Then:

In hindered settling under gravity, the relative velocity between particles and the fluid

Then, ,the hindered settling velocity of particles relative to the vessel wall in batch settling:
 BATCH SETTLING
SETTLING FLUX AS A FUNCTION OF SUSPENSION CONCENTRATION

The effective viscosity function, , has been shown theorethically to be:

For uniform spheres forming a suspension of solid volume fraction less than 0.1
In general, the Richardson and Zaki relationship is given as:

Rep n for small vessels n for big vessels

< 0.2 4.65 + 19.5 x/d 4.65

0.2 < Re < 1 (4.35+17.5 x/d)Re-0.03 4.35Re-0.03

1 < Re < 200 (4.45+18 x/d)Re-0.1 4.45Re-0.1

200 < Re < 500 4.45Re-0.1 4.45Re-0.1

Re > 500 2.39 2.39
d : vessel diameter x: particle diameter
 BATCH SETTLING
SETTLING FLUX AS A FUNCTION OF SUSPENSION CONCENTRATION
ACCORDING TO RICHARDSON AND ZAKI (1954)

For For
4,65 2,4
𝑈 𝑝 =𝑈 𝑡 𝜀 𝑈 𝑝 =𝑈 𝑡 𝜀

According to Khan and Richardson (1989), it is recommended to use the following

correlation for the value of exponent n over the entire range of Reynolds numbers:

Where is the Archimedes number: , where is the particle diameter and , the Vessel
diameter. The most appropriate particle diameter is the surface to volume mean.
BATCH SETTLING
SETTLING FLUX AS A FUNCTION OF SUSPENSION
CONCENTRATION

 Expressed as a volumetric solids settling flux, :

 Or, as a dimensionless particle settling flux,

BATCH SETTLING
SETTLING FLUX AS A FUNCTION OF SUSPENSION
CONCENTRATION

 A plot of dimensionless particle

settling flux vs suspension volumetric
concentration, has a maximum at
and an inflection point at
SETTLING ZONES – SHARP INTERPHASES

 Interphases or discontinuities in concentration occur in the sedimentation or settling

of particle suspensions
 For convenience:
. And it will be called concentration of the suspension
SETTLING ZONES – SHARP INTERPHASES

𝑈 𝑖𝑛𝑡 =𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦

SETTLING ZONES – SHARP INTERPHASES

Assuming incompressible fluid and particles:

Where all velocities are measured relative to the vessel walls,

Then,

Where, (particle volumetric flux), then:

Exercise 1
 A suspension in water of uniformly sized sphere (diameter , density
has a solids concentration of 25% by volume. The suspension settles
to a bed of solids concentration of 55% by volume.
 Calculate:
a. The rate at which the water/suspension interface settles
b. The rate at which the sediment/suspension interface rises
 Assume water properties
Exercise 1 - solution
Exercise 1 - solution
Exercise 1 -solution
Exercise 1 - solution
Exercise 1 - solution
SETTLING ZONES – SHARP INTERPHASES

And, in the limit as

Then, in the flux plot, vs C:
a. The gradient of the curve at concentration C is the velocity of a layer of
suspension of this concentration
b. The slope of a chord joining two points at concentrations and is the
velocity of a discontinuity or interface between suspensions of these
concentrations
SETTLING ZONES – SHARP INTERPHASES
SETTLING ZONES. THE BATCH SETTLING TEST

 The simple batch settling test supplies all the needed information for the design of a
thickener for separation of particles from a fluid
 In this test, a suspensión of particles of known concentration is prepared in a
measuring cylinder, mixed and placed upright to allow the suspension to settle.
 The positions of the interfaces are monitored in time.
 There are two types of settling depending on the initial concentration of the
suspension
 TYPE 1 SETTLING

 Three zones of constant

concentration are formed
 Zone A: Clear Liquid (C=0)
 Zone B: Concentration equal to the
initial suspension concentration (Cb)
 Zone S: The sediment concentration
(Cs)
 The slopes of the lines AB and BS
give the velocities of the interfaces
 TYPE 1I SETTLING
 Four Zones
 Zone A: Clear Liquid (C=0)
 Zone B: Concentration equal to the
initial suspension concentration (Cb)
 Zone E: Concentration within zone E
varies with position, but the
minimum and máximum
concentrations are constant
 Zone S: The sediment concentration
(Cs)
 SETTLING TYPES

 Examination of the particle flux plot allows us

to determine which type of settling is ocurring
 A tangent to the curve is drawn through the
point (C=Cs Ups=0).
 The concentration at the point of tangent is
and at the intersection with the curve is
 Type I occurs when initial suspension is less
than and greater than
 Type II occurs when the initial suspension
concentration lies between and
HEIGHT-TIME CURVE VS FLUX PLOT

 If one follows the AB interfase in the simple batch

settling test, one can obtain the height time curve.
 There will be a family of such curves for different
initial concentrations.
 Therefore it is posible to obtain the particle flux
plot from the height –time curve
HEIGHT-TIME CURVE VS FLUX PLOT

 At time t, the interface between clear liquid and suspensión of concentration C is at a

height h from the base of the vessel and the velocity of the interface is the slope of
the curve at this time:

 This is also equal to , the velocity of the particles at the interface relative to the vessel
Wall:
HEIGHT-TIME CURVE VS FLUX PLOT

At a time t, a plane of concentration C has risen a distance h from the base.

Therefore,:

Then,

As the particles pass thorugh the plane they have a concentration, C. therefore the volume
of particles which have passed through his plane in time t is:
 HEIGHT-TIME CURVE VS FLUX PLOT

At time t, this plane is interfacing with the clear liquid,

therefore, at this time, all the particles in the test have passed
through the plane:

Therefore:

Substituting
EXERCISE 2

 A height time curve for the sedimentation of a suspension, of initial suspension concentration 0.1, in a vertical
cylindrical vessel is shown in the figure.
 Determine:
 The velocity of the interface between clear liquid and suspension of concentration 0.1
 The velocity of the interface between clear liquid and a suspension of concentration 0.175
 The velocity at which a layer of concentration 0.175 propagates upwards from the base of the vessel.
 The final concentration
Exercise 2 – solution
a - The velocity of the interface between clear liquid and
suspension of concentration 0.1

 Since the initial suspension concentration

is 0.1, the velocity required, in this
question is the velocity of the AB
interface.
 Therefore, the slope of the straight
portion will give this velocity

Downward Velocity = 1,33cm/s

Exercise 2 – solution
b- The velocity of the interface between clear liquid and a
suspension of concentration 0.175
 This is no longer the AB interface, therefore, is
necessary to find the height where the
suspension has this concentration of 0.175
h1=22,85cm
 Use equation to find such height.

h=15cm

 Interface velocity is the slope of this curve at

this point:

t=26s
Downward Velocity = 0,30cm/s
Exercise 2 – solution
c- The velocity at which a layer of concentration 0.175 propagates
upwards form the base of the vessel.

 From point b. the layer of concentration 0,175 is in contact with the

clear liquid, therfore, this layer has traveled a distance of 15cm from
the base of the vessel in the 26s it took to reach there,
 Then, the upward propagation velocity of this layer is:
Exercise 2 – solution
d- The final concentration

 Since the final concentration is that of

the sediment in contact with the clear
water, we can use equation to find such
concentration, where is the height of the
final sediment layer.
 The tangent to the curve in the constant
height zone, corresponds to the settled
bed height, in this case 10cm
EXERCISE 3

 For the batch flux plot shown, the sediment has a solids concentration of 0.4 volume fraction of solids

a. Determine the range of initial suspension concentrations over which a zone of variable concentration is formed
under batch settling conditions
b. Calculate and plot the concentration profile after 50min in a batch settling test of a suspension with an initial
concentration 0.1 volumen fraction of solids, and initial suspension height of 100cm
c. At What time will the settling test be complete?
Exercise 3 – solution
Part a - Determine the range of initial suspension
concentrations over which a zone of variable concentration is
formed under batch settling conditions

 A zone of variable concentration refers to a type II settling, therefore

it is necesary to find CEmin and CEmax.
 This is found drawing a line from the settled bed concentration,
Cs=0,4 tangent to the batch flux curve.
X

CS

CBmin =0,036 CBmax=0,21

Exercise 3 – Solution
Part b - Calculate and plot the concentration profile after
50min in a batch settling test of a suspension with an initial
concentration 0.1 volumen fraction of solids, and initial
suspension height of 100cm

 To calculate the concentration profile first determine the velocities of the

different interfaces, between zones A, B, E and S, to be able to find the
positions after 50min.
 Locate the point (B) of the initial solution and the curve (, Ups) .
 Join this point with the clear liquid A(0,0) this gives line AB which is the velocity
of the interface between zones A and B
 The slope of this curve gives the velocity of the interface AB
 B

CS
CBmin CBmax
A
 Exercise 3 – Solution
Part b - Calculate and plot the concentration profile after
50min in a batch settling test of a suspension with an initial
concentration 0.1 volumen fraction of solids, and initial
suspension height of 100cm

 To calculate the concentration profile first determine the velocities of the

different interfaces, between zones A, B, E and S, to be able to find the
positions after 50min.
 Locate the point (B) of the initial solution and the curve (, Ups) .
 Join this point with the clear liquid A(0,0) this gives line AB which is the
velocity of the interface between zones A and B
 velocity of the interface AB=0,166mm/s or 1cm/min
Exercise 3 – Solution
Part b - Calculate and plot the concentration profile after 50min
in a batch settling test of a suspension with an initial
concentration 0.1 volumen fraction of solids, and initial
suspension height of 100cm

 Zone B is of constant concentration, therefore, the slope of the line

from point B tangent to the curve is the velocity of the interface
beween the initial suspension B and the mínimum value of the
variable concentration zone E, CEmin
 B

CS
CBmin CEmin CBmax
A
Exercise 3 – Solution
Part b - Calculate and plot the concentration profile after 50min
in a batch settling test of a suspension with an initial
concentration 0.1 volumen fraction of solids, and initial
suspension height of 100cm

 Zone B is of constant concentration, therefore, the slope of the line

from point B tangent to the curve is the velocity of the interface
beween the initial suspension B and the mínimum value of the
variable concentration zone E, CEmin
 Interface velocity BEmin=-0,111mm/s or -0,66cm/min
Exercise 3 – Solution
Part b - Calculate and plot the concentration profile after
50min in a batch settling test of a suspension with an initial
concentration 0.1 volumen fraction of solids, and initial
suspension height of 100cm
 The velocity of the sediment interface with E, is calculated with:
 The slope of the line tangent to the curve to the sediment point
Cs=0,4, Ups=0 is iqual to the velocity of the interface between the
maximum value of the variable concentration zone CEmax and the
sediment
 B

CS
CBmin CEmin CBmax CEmax
A
Exercise 3 – Solution
Part b - Calculate and plot the concentration profile after
50min in a batch settling test of a suspension with an initial
concentration 0.1 volumen fraction of solids, and initial
suspension height of 100cm
 The velocity of the sediment interface with E, is calculated with:
 The slope of the line tangent to the curve to the sediment point
Cs=0,4, Ups=0 is iqual to the velocity of the interface between the
maximum value of the variable concentration zone CEmax and the
sediment
 CEmaxS velocity = -0,0355mm/s or -0,213cm/min
Exercise 3 – Solution
Part b - Calculate and plot the concentration profile after 50min in a
batch settling test of a suspension with an initial concentration 0.1
volumen fraction of solids, and initial suspension height of 100cm
After 50min, the distances travelled by the interfaces are:
 AB interface:
 BEmin interface:
 EmaxS interface:

The positions of the interfaces are then:

 AB interface: 100cm-50cm=50cm
 BEmin interface: 33cm
 EmaxS interface: 10,65cm
Exercise – Solution
part c - At What time will the settling test be complete?

Draw the height vs. Time curve, with the information calculated at
50min. Knowing that at time 0min, the initial hight was 100cm and that
all other interfaces at time cero, did not exist.

One can construct the curves:

AB (0min,100cm)-(50min,50cm)
BEmin (0min,0cm)-(50min,33,2cm)
Bemax (0min,0cm)-(50min,10,6cm)
 50 cm

33.2 cm

10.6 cm

50 min 100 min

Exercise – Solution part c
 50 cm

33.2 cm
25 cm

10.6 cm

50 min 100 min