Multiple Particle Systems

SETTLING OF A SUSPENSION OF PARTICLES The motion of each particle in multiple particles flow in a fluid in close proximity to each is influenced by the presence of the others. Because of these, a single particle analysis is no longer valid but can be adapted to model the multiple particle system. For a suspension of particles in a fluid, Stokes law is assumed to apply but an effective suspension viscosity and effective average suspension density are used: Effective viscosity ave. suspension density

me = m/f() ave = f + (1 - ) p

(1) (2)

where: = void or volume fraction of the fluid f() = a function of the fluid volume fraction

Also = the voidage or volume fraction occupied by the fluid. (1 ) = vol. fraction occupied by solid particles Substituting the eff. viscosity and ave. density for the suspension to the Stokes law:

where: Urel = the relative velocity of the particle in the fluid rave = ave. suspension density x = the particle diameter Particle terminal velocity falling under gravity in a suspension, the force balance is : drag force = weight upthrust

this can still be written simply as:

Where UrelT is known as the particle settling velocity in the presence of other particles or the hindered settling velocity.

Again, recall that, the presence of many particles in a fluid in close proximity to each other has influence on their settling velocities. Their velocities are "hindered (slowed down). In general, hindered settling is appropriate for solids concentration in suspension is greater than about 1% by mass. = void fraction, i.e. the volume fraction occupied by the liquid C = (1 - ) = solids concentration, i.e. the volume fraction occupied by the solid particles C < 1 % = "free settling", particles settle independently, settling velocity = terminal velocity UT C > 1 % = "hindered settling In hindered settling, the settling velocity is strongly related to the solids concentration C. Empirical relation between the terminal velocity and the settling velocity Uo is given by Richardson & Zaki as:

Uo = UT(1 C) n = UT e n
Where: n = variable exponent that depends on Reynolds number (as tabulated below): Particle Re < 0.2 0.2 < Re < 1.0 1 < Re < 200 200 < Re < 500 Re > 500 n for small tubes 4.65 + 19.5 x/D (4.35 + 17.5 )Re -0.03 (4.45 + 18 )Re -0.1 (4.45)Re -0.1 2.39 n for large tubes 4.65 (4.35)Re -0.03 (4.45)Re -0.1 (4.45)Re -0.1 2.39

Table 1. Values of n in different conditions of Reynolds number. (Source: Fundamentals of Particle Technology, Holdich) Also, Rhodes suggested on how should n be evaluated. According to him, n can also be evaluated using the Archimedes number, Ar, through the equation-

If the tubes are large, hence, x/D = 0 (approximately), and this equation can be simplified to become-

Where the Archimedes number, if we recall from the correlations of Heywoods table, is actuallyAr = x3 (rp - r)rg /(2)

When settling particles actually start from zero velocity, then accelerate due to gravity until it attains terminal velocity. Since this is only a simple force balance for small particles, inertial forces and the time to reach terminal velocity are very small and are neglected. Time to attain terminal velocity (or at least 99.9% of it) is given by the equation-

It means that, for a 40m particle with density of 2500 kg/m3 for example, the time to reach 99.9% of its terminal velocity is about 0.001 seconds. Batch settling flux Design information is concerned with the ability to pass a required mass of solids per unit area per unit time. i.e. kg/m2-s, or mass of solids per unit time, kg/s. This is the solids fluxMathematically, the solids flux due to settling in a batch vessel is:

G = UoCArs
since since A and rs are constant, it can be written as

G = UoC

PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1 The particle settling velocity in a fluidparticle suspension: a. increases with increasing ratio of particle diameter to characteristic system dimension b. increases with increasing particle concentration c. increases with increasing fluid viscosity d. none of the above. 2. The terminal velocity of a particle settling in a stagnant fluid: a. increases with increasing ratio of particle diameter to characteristic system dimension b. increases with increasing solids concentration c. both (a) and (b) d. none of the above 3. In an overloaded thickener, the concentration in the bottom section of the thickener is equal to (when the total flux plot does not go through a minimum): a. the feed concentration b. the overflow concentration c. both (a) and (b) d. none of the above 4. In an underloaded thickener, the concentration in the bottom section of the thickener is (when the total flux plot does not go through a minimum): a. greater than the feed concentration b. less than the feed concentration c. equal to the feed concentration d. no way to tell 5. In an underloaded thickener, the concentration in the overflow is (when the total flux plot does not go through a minimum)a. greater than the feed concentration b. less than the feed concentration c. equal to the feed concentration d. no way to tell 6. In an underloaded thickener, the concentration in the underflow is (when the total flux plot does not go through a minimum): a. greater than the concentration in the bottom section b. less than the concentration in the bottom section c. equal to the concentration in the bottom section 7. When a particle reaches terminal velocitya. the particle acceleration is constant b. the particle acceleration is zero c. the particle acceleration equals the apparent weight of the particle d. none of the above. 3.8 Which of the following do not influence hindered settling velocity? a. particle density b. particle size c. particle suspension concentration d. none of the above.

PROBLEM SOLVING. 1. A suspension in water of uniformly sized spheres of diameter 100 m and density 1200 kg/m3 has a solids volume fraction of 0.2. The suspension settles to a bed of solids volume fraction 0.5. (For water, density is 1000 kg/m3 and viscosity is 0.001 Pa s.) The single particle terminal velocity of the spheres in water may be taken as 1.1mm/s. Calculate: (a) the velocity at which the clear water/suspension interface settles (b) the velocity at which the sediment/suspension interface rises. [Answer: (a) 0.39mm/s; (b) 0.26mm/s.] 2. A suspension in water of uniformly sized spheres of diameter 90 mm and density 1100 kg/m3 has a solids volume fraction of 0.2. The suspension settles to a bed of solids volume fraction 0.5. (For water, density is 1000 kg/m3 and viscosity is 0:001 Pa s.) The single particle terminal velocity of the spheres in water may be taken as 0.44mm/s. Calculate: (a) the velocity at which the clear water/suspension interface settles; (b) the velocity at which the sediment/suspension interface rises. [Answer: (a) 0.156mm/s; (b) 0.104mm/s.] 3. Uniformly sized spheres of diameter 50 mm and density 1500 kg/m 3 are uniformly suspended in a liquid of density 1000 kg/m3 and viscosity 0.002 Pa s. The resulting suspension has a solids volume fraction of 0.30. The single particle terminal velocity of the spheres in this liquid may be taken as 0.00034 m/s (Rep < 0.3). Calculate the velocity at which the clear water/suspension interface settles. 4. Calculate the settling velocity of glass spheres having a diameter of 155 mm in water at 293 K. The slurry contains 60 wt % solids. The density of the glass spheres is 2467 kg/m3.How does the settling velocity change if the particles have a sphericity of 0.3 and an equivalent diameter of 155 mm?