Physical Treatment

Processes
Unit 4: Screening, Equalization, and
Sedimentation
Amir Asadi
February 2025

09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 1
Contents
Overview of Physical Treatment Processes

Screening: Introduction and Mechanisms

Screening Unit Design

Equalization: Introduction

Equalization Tank Design

Sedimentation: Introduction and Types

Design of Sedimentation Tanks

09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 2
2/9/2025

Overview of Physical Treatment Processes

physical treatment processes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzRuYPUJVXY

09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 3
Screening: Introduction
❑ Definition of Screening:
• Screening in wastewater treatment refers to the process of removing large solid objects from the
wastewater flow. These solids may include debris, such as rags, sticks, plastics, and other materials
that could cause blockages or damage to downstream equipment.
❑ Purpose of Screening in Wastewater Treatment:
• The primary purpose of screening in wastewater treatment is to protect the downstream processes
and equipment by removing large, coarse materials from the wastewater. This prevents damage to
pumps, pipes, and other mechanical equipment, reduces the risk of clogging, and enhances the
efficiency and effectiveness of subsequent treatment processes.

Rotary Drum Screen Basket Type Wastewater Bar Screen Manual Bar Screen

09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 4
Types of Screens

Type of Screen Opening Size Purpose Definition

First stage screening
Remove large solids
to protect
Coarse Screens Larger than 6 mm (e.g., rags, sticks,
downstream
plastic)
equipment
Remove smaller Second stage
Fine Screens 1.5 mm to 6 mm debris that bypass screening for more
coarse screens thorough cleaning
Smaller than 1.5 Final stage screening
mm, often as small Remove very fine to enhance
Micro Screens
as 0.25 mm (250 particles treatment efficiency
microns) and water quality

09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 5
2/9/2025

Types of Screens

09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 6
Mechanisms of Screening
❑ How screens work
✓ Screens operate by allowing water and small particles to pass through while
capturing larger debris.
✓ The efficiency of a screen is determined by the size of the openings (mesh size)
and the flow rate of the fluid.
✓ Screens can be static, rotating, or vibrating to improve the separation efficiency.
❑ Common materials screened out
✓ Large debris: Sticks, leaves, and other large objects typically found in intake
water.
✓ Inorganic materials: Gravel, sand, and small stones.
✓ Organic matter: Twigs, algae, and other plant materials.
✓ Waste products: Plastics, cloth, and other human-made materials that should
not enter further processing stages.

09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 7
2/9/2025

Screening Unit Design: Head loss

1 𝑣𝑠2 − 𝑣 2
ℎ𝑙 = ( )
𝐶 2𝑔
• ℎ𝑙 ​= head loss, in meters (m)
• C = an empirical discharge coefficient to account for turbulence and eddy losses
(typically 0.7 for a clean screen and 0.6 for a clogged screen)
• 𝑣𝑠2 = velocity of flow through the openings of the bar screen, in meters per
second (m/s)
• 𝑣 = approach velocity in the upstream channel, in meters per second (m/s)
• 𝑔 = acceleration due to gravity, 9.81 meters per second squared (m/s2)

09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 8
Head loss Buildup in Coarse Screens

❑Determine the buildup of head loss through a bar screen when

fifty percent of the flow area is blocked off due to the
accumulation of coarse solids. Assume the following conditions
apply:
• Approach velocity = 0.6 m/s
• Velocity through clean bar screen = 0.9 m/s
• Open area for flow through clean bar screen = 0.19 m2
• Head loss coefficient for a clean bar screen = 0.7

09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 9
2/9/2025

Head loss Buildup in Coarse Screens

1 𝑣𝑠2 −𝑣 2
• Compute the clean water head loss through bar screen using: ℎ𝑙 = ( )
𝐶 2𝑔
𝑚 2 𝑚 2
1 0.9 − 0.6
ℎ𝑙 = 𝑠 𝑠 = 0.033 𝑚
0.7 𝑚
2 9.81 2
𝑠
• Estimate the headloss through the clogged bar screen (reducing the screen
area by 50 percent results in a doubling of the velocity). The velocity through
the clogged bar screen is:
𝑚 𝑚
𝑣𝑠 = 0.9 × 2 = 1.8
𝑠 𝑠
Assuming the flow coefficient for the clogged bar screen is approximately 0.6.
estimated headloss is
𝑚 2 𝑚 2
1 1.8 − 0.6
ℎ𝑙 = 𝑠 𝑠 = 0.24 𝑚
0.6 𝑚
2 9.81 2
𝑠
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 10
Equalization: Introduction
❑ Definition of equalization:
• Equalization dampens flow rate variations by using storage facilities to absorb high flows and feed
wastewater at a steady rate, smoothing diurnal variations and reducing the load on downstream
processes. (Inline and Offline Equalization Tanks)
❑ Purpose of Equalization in Wastewater Treatment
• Flow Balancing: Helps maintain consistent flow rates, preventing the treatment process from being
overwhelmed during peak times.
• Load Equalization: Reduces pollutant concentration fluctuations, stabilizing and improving the
efficiency of downstream processes.
• Energy Efficiency: Ensures constant flow and load, optimizing energy usage in treatment processes.
• Protection of Treatment Processes: Prevents sudden shocks from high flow rates or pollutant loads,
safeguarding sensitive downstream biological and chemical processes.
• Improved Downstream Performance: Enhances the overall effectiveness of subsequent treatment
stages.
• Stabilization: Helps maintain consistent pH and temperature levels.

09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 11
Equalization Tank Components

09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 12
Equalization Tank Design
Consider two scenarios:
❑When data is not available
➢Rule of Thumb
✓ Retention time: 4-6 hours (can go up to 12 hours in some regulations)
✓ Free board: 0.3 to 0.5 m
✓ Air requirements: 0.02 m³/volume of the tank/min
❑When data is available
➢Flow Patterns
✓ Plotting a graph of inflow vs outflow
✓ The equalization tank should be large enough to hold the maximum
difference between the inflow and outflow

09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 13
2/9/2025

Equalization Tank Design: Flow Patterns

Flowrate Determination and Equalization Volume Requirements

Data and Questions:

Using the flowrate data provided in the table (excel file), calculate the following:

1.The required in-line storage volume to equalize the flowrate.

2.The time period when the equalization tank will be empty.

09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 14
 Sedimentation: Introduction

Type of Sedimentation Description Application/Occurrence

Particles settle
Sand removal in grit
Discrete Particle settling (Type I) independently with no
chambers.
interaction.
Particles form flocs, Primary and secondary
Flocculant settling (Type II)
increasing settling speed.. sedimentation tanks.
Particles settle in close Secondary sedimentation
hindered settling (Type III)
proximity, forming a blanket. tanks.
Dense particles compress Deep sludge layers in
Compression settling (Type IV)
under their own weight. secondary tanks.

09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 15
2/9/2025

The Ideal Sedimentation Basin

❑Camp (1936) proposed a rational theory for removal of discretely
settling particles in an ideal settling basin. The ideal settling basin
theory assumes the following:
• Type I settling.
• Four zones in the basin: inlet, outlet, sludge, and settling.
• Even distribution of flow (uniform horizontal velocity) entering the settling zone.
• Even distribution of flow leaving the settling zone.
• Uniform distribution of particles through the depth of the inlet zone end of the
settling zone.
• Particles that enter the sludge zone are captured and remain in the sludge zone.
• Particles that enter the outlet zone are not removed from the water.

09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 16
Design of Sedimentation Tanks: Type I

09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 17
Design of Sedimentation Tanks: Type I

Vs = settling velocity
Vo = Overflow Rate = Surface Overflow Rate (SOR)
l = length
Settling zone w = width
h = height

09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 18
Design of Sedimentation Tanks: Type I
• Camp (1936) demonstrated that particle removal in a horizontal flow settling tank
depends on overflow rate, requiring particles' settling velocity (Vs) to match the tank
depth (h) divided by detention time (t0).
ℎ
𝑣𝑠 =
𝑡0
• where the detention time is defined as:
𝑉
𝑡0 =
𝑄
• where V = volume of tank, m 3

• Q = flow rate, m3/s

• Tank volume (V) = height (h) × length (l) × width (w)

ℎ ℎ 𝑄ℎ 𝑄 𝑄
𝑣𝑠 = = = = =
𝑡0 𝑉 𝑤 × 𝑙 × ℎ 𝑤 × 𝑙 𝐴𝑠
𝑄
Overflow rate (vo) = Surface Overflow Rate (SOR)
𝑄
𝑣𝑜 = 𝑣𝑠 =
𝐴𝑠
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 19
Example: Sedimentation Type I
• The percentage of particles removed, P, with a settling velocity of vs in a horizontal flow
sedimentation tank designed with an overflow rate of vo is
𝑣𝑠
𝑋𝑟 or P = 100%
𝑣𝑜
❑ Ex: A petrochemical wastewater treatment plant has an existing horizontal-flow
sedimentation tank with an overflow rate of 17 m3/d·m2. What percentage removal
should be expected for each of the following particle settling velocities in an ideal
sedimentation tank: 0.1 mm/s, 0.2 mm/s, and 1 mm/s?
a) Begin by computing the overflow rate in compatible units
3 1000 𝑚𝑚/𝑚
17 𝑚 ൗ𝑑 . 𝑚2 ≈ 0.2 𝑚𝑚/𝑠
86400 𝑠/𝑑
a) For the 0.1 mm/s particles
0.1 𝑚𝑚/𝑠
P= 100% = 50%
0.2 𝑚𝑚/𝑠
For the 0.2 mm/s and particles and 1 mm/s?

09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 20
Velocity Distribution Curves
• In a suspension, particle sizes vary widely. To determine removal performance, all
sedimentation velocity ranges must be considered using two methods: (1) sieve tests
and screening, or (2) column sedimentation tests, followed by velocity curve analysis.

𝑃
𝑣𝑠
Fraction Removed = 1 − P + න 𝑑𝑥
0 𝑣𝑜

Where:
(1−P​): The fraction of particles whose 𝑣s is greater than 𝑣o.
𝑃 𝑣𝑠
‫׬‬0 𝑑𝑥: The fraction of particles whose 𝑣s is less than 𝑣o.
𝑣𝑜

09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 21
Example: Velocity Distribution Curves

A Type I sedimentation column analysis was conducted on a suspension, with a

column depth of 1.8 meters. The results are shown in the table below. What is the
theoretical removal efficiency of suspended solids in a sedimentation basin with a
surface overflow rate of 25 m³/m²·d based on this analysis?
Remaining Concentration Remaining Mass Fraction Settling Velocity (vs)
Time (min)
(mg/L) (P) (m/h)
420 27 0.09 0.26
240 78 0.26 0.45
200 111 0.37 0.54
130 156 0.53 0.83
100 168 0.56 1.08
80 180 0.60 1.35
60 189 0.63 1.63

09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 22
2/9/2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4rIT4z-cx8

09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 23
Summary and Key Takeaways
•Screening:
• Removes large solids (debris, rags, plastics) to protect downstream
processes.
• Types of screens: Coarse, Fine, and Micro screens.
•Equalization:
• Balances flow rates and pollutant loads.
• Prevents system overload during peak times and improves process
efficiency.
•Sedimentation:
• Removes suspended solids via gravity.
• Types of settling: Discrete Particle, Flocculant, Hindered, and
Compression Settling.
Key Takeaways:
•Physical treatment processes are essential for protecting downstream
biological/chemical treatments.
•Proper design and application ensure smooth operation and increase overall
system efficiency.

09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 24
 a.asadi@iwar.tu-darmstadt.de UAS

09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 25
25