Which one of the following describes the short- circuiting occurring i...
Short-circuiting in a Sedimentation Tank
Short-circuiting is a common problem faced in sedimentation tanks where the flow pattern is not uniform and the solids do not settle properly. It is important to understand the factors that contribute to short-circuiting to design an effective sedimentation tank. The following describes the short-circuiting occurring in a sedimentation tank:
Detention Time
Detention time is the time taken by the water to pass through the sedimentation tank. If the detention time is too short, the solids may not have enough time to settle properly and will be carried away with the effluent. This can cause short-circuiting as the water will flow through the tank too quickly and the solids will not be properly settled.
Recirculation Ratio
Recirculation ratio is the ratio of the volume of water that is recirculated back to the inlet of the sedimentation tank to the volume of water that is treated. If the recirculation ratio is too high, it can cause short-circuiting as the water will flow through the tank too quickly and the solids will not be properly settled.
Surface Loading
Surface loading is the amount of water that flows through a unit area of the sedimentation tank per unit time. If the surface loading is too high, it can cause short-circuiting as the water will flow through the tank too quickly and the solids will not be properly settled.
Displacement Efficiency
Displacement efficiency is the ratio of the volume of water that is displaced by the settling solids to the volume of settling solids. If the displacement efficiency is too low, it can cause short-circuiting as the settling solids will not be able to displace enough water and will be carried away with the effluent.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the most important factor contributing to short-circuiting in a sedimentation tank is the detention time. It is important to design a sedimentation tank with the appropriate detention time, recirculation ratio, surface loading, and displacement efficiency to ensure effective settling of solids and avoid short-circuiting.