Study of the Flocculated Particles Sedimentation Assisted by Microcomputer

Sludge known as waste products, collected during various stages of water treatment, are fluids containing sus- pended solid particles in water. Sedimentation velocity of these particles is generally determined using batch settling tests. This velocity is a determining parameter in dimensioning and controlling the thickeners. Realization and contribution to the automation of a simple tool for such tests is the subject of this work. The used column (H: 2.30 m, D: 0.20 m) was provided with infra-red sensors, to quantify the total suspended solid particles (TSS) in water. The automated experimen- tal device avoids the recourse to the slow and limited conventional gravimetric method. The study of the settled particles becomes faster and furthermore by automation of the TSS measurements, it is possible to carry out the data acquisition di- rectly on PC via an adequate interface.