New Clarifier Systems - New Wastewater Equipment

New Clarifier Systems

Inclined Plate Clarifiers

Operation:
The Inclined Plate Clarifiers are designed and manufactured to provide for the precipitation and removal of materials suspended in water. The IPC employs a series of plates inclined to a 55° angle. This specialized design allows the IPC to perform all of the functions of a conventional solids contact clarifier at a fraction of the cost and space.

Theory:
Gravity settling permits the removal of particles denser than water. Separation is accomplished by detaining the process stream long enough for particles to settle. These particles obey Stokes’ Law, which establishes the theoretical terminal velocities of solids in water.

For instance, if influent enters at one end of a rectangular basin, suspended particles have both a horizontal and vertical velocity. If a particle enters the basin at the top, it must settle through a height of water in a time less than or equal to that taken by the liquid to travel through the basin. The flow rate of the water divided by the area of the basin equals the surface loading. In order for a particle to settle it must have a settling rate greater than the surface loading.

If one envisions a basin with a series of horizontal plates, the theoretical capacity equals the normal flow times the number of plates. However, since settled solids are not easily removed from horizontal plates, the plates are inclined at 55° so that solids slide down.

The projected area of each plate on a horizontal plane represents the effective settling area.

The expression is:

	At = n(Ap)cos(55°)
Where:	At = total area
	n = # of plates
	Ap = area of each plate

Even at a typical unit flow rate of 0.25 gpm per sqft, the compact IPC design saves significant space. Also, the IPC applies to a broad range of applications due to features such as low headroom design and broad flow range capabilities.