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IMHOFF TANK

SUBMITTED BY:
SWATI SINGH
2012PCE5284
INTRODUCTION
The Imhoff Tank designed & developed by German
Engineer Karl Imhoff in 1906, is a chamber suitable for
reception & processing of sewage. It may be used for the
clarification of sewage by simple settling & sedimentation
along with anaerobic digestion of extracted sludge.
The Imhoff tank was developed to correct two main defects
of the septic tank:-
It prevents the solids once removed from sewage from
again being mixed with it.
Provides an effluent amenable to further treatment.
MECHANISM
The Imhoff tank may be circular or rectangular & is divided into
three compartments:-
The upper section / sedimentation compartment , in which sewage
flows at a very low velocity so that sedimentation may takes place.
Lower section / digestion chamber , in which anaerobic
decomposition occurs.
Gas vent & scum section , gas & any rising sludge particles are
diverted to it.
Contact between the waste stream & anaerobic digesting sludge is
practically eliminated & the holding period in primary settling
compartment is reduced . The solids of the sewage settling to the
bottom of the sedimentation chamber are made to fall into digestion
chamber through sloping bottom walls & an entrance slot. The slot is
trapped or overlapped in such a way that gases generated in digestion
chamber do not enter sedimentation chamber.
CONT
In order that the sludge & scum do not penetrate the
sedimentation chamber , sludge & scum must be maintained
at a distance of 45 cm below & above the slots respectively.
This clear zone of 90 cm depth is called the neutral zone.
The digestion chamber is made up of interconnected
compartments , each compartment being made up of
inverted cone or hoppers, so as to concentrate the sludge at
the bottom of the hopper. The digested sludge is removed
periodically with the help of desludging pipes.
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
a) Sedimentation chamber :

i. Detention period : 2 to 4 hours
ii. Max flowing through velocity : 30 cm /min
iii. Surface loading : max of 30,000 litres/m
2
/day
iv. Length and width : max length limited to 30m ; length to width
ratio between 3:1 to 5:1
v. Depth: to be kept shallow to permit particles falling to the slot
before reaching the end of sedimentation chamber : general depth
2.5 to 3.5 m , so as to limit the total depth to 9 10.5m.
a) Digestion chamber :

i. Capacity : 0.028 0.056 m
3
per capita is considered to
be sufficient in warmer climates where shorter period
of sludge withdrawls are possible.

ii. Scum chamber : surface area of scum chamber to be 25
-30 percent of the horizontal projection of the top of the
digestion chamber. Minimum width of vents should be
60 cm.
ADVANTAGES OF IMHOFF TANKS:
They are quite economical in operation.
They do not require skilled attention during operation.
There are no moving parts.
They require only preliminary treatment.
There is no difficulty in sludge removal.Also the sludge
volume and weight are less.
The results obtained are good with 60 70 % removal of solids
& 30 40 % removal of BOD.


DISADVANTAGES OF IMHOFF TANKS:
Because of greater depth , cost of construction is higher.
Unsuitable for acidic influents.
They give offensive odours , when improperly operated.
They have tendency to foam or boil , due to which the sludge
particles may enter the sedimentation zone through the slot ,
thus affecting the quality of the effluent.
TROUBLE OF FOAMING AND THEIR CONTOL:
Foaming in imhoff tanks may be caused by:
Insufficient capacity of the digestion chamber.
Violent biological action giving rise to large volume of gases.
Entry of large quantity of soap water.

Foaming can be controlled by:
withdrawing sludge more frequently.
Increasing capacity of digestion chamber.
Correcting the acidity by adding hydrated lime.
Allowing the tank to rest for a few days.



THE CLARIGESTER :
A clarigester is a modernised mechanical tank of the
Imhoff type. This is a double storeyed tank , without bottom
hopper , fitted with mechanical sludge and scum breaking
equipment.

In the upper or sedimentation portion of the tank is a
collector which concentrates the sludge to the centre,if sludge
is passing to the digestion chamber below.

In the lower portion, a sludge stirring mechanism is
provided which pushes the sludge towards hopper from where
it is withdrawn by a pump or hydrostatic pressure.

ADVANTAGES :
1. Lesser depth is required because of the elimination of
hopper bottom.
2. Cost of construction is less.
3. Operation is continuous & uniform.
4. Mechanical handling of sludge
5. No foaming problem.
6. Sludge can be heated to improve digestion.

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