Introduction
In various industrial production and environmental protection treatment processes, lamella tube settlers are used to precipitate solid particles in fluids. They are mainly made of lightweight materials such as PVC(Polyvinyl Chloride), PP (polypropylene). All these materials are durable, but each has its own characteristics in sedimentation applications. So, which one is more suitable for your actual project? This article will discuss the performance differences of tube settlers made of different materials, hoping to provide a reference for your actual selection.
How Does a Lamella Tube Settler Work?
A tube settler is a solid-liquid separation device designed based on the shallow pond theory. It consists of 45-60° inclined tubes densely arranged and assembled into a honeycomb structure, which provides a larger effective sedimentation area. When the liquid containing suspended solids flows through the inclined tubes, the particulate matter in the water will settle onto the tube walls due to gravity and slide down the inclined surface into the sludge collection area. The clarified liquid, on the other hand, will overflow from the top.
To be easier to understand, we can think of the traditional sedimentation tank as a large and shallow pond. The tube settler divides this pond into countless small and deep ditches, allowing the sedimentation process to be completed in a shorter time. Compared with traditional settlers, this inclined tube structure can increase the sedimentation efficiency by 3 to 5 times.
Where Do We Use Them?
Sewage Sedimentation
Tube settlers are commonly used in sewage treatment plants (STP) based on moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBR). This includes making the suspended particles and biomass in the primary and secondary sedimentation tanks of wastewater settle more quickly. They can also reduce the required tank capacity/floor area for new installations, as well as the solid load on downstream filters.
Oil Separation
Fluids such as produced water from oil fields and returned drilling fluid can have an oil content of 5% to 30%, and they also carry a large amount of suspended sand and colloidal asphaltenes. As a pretreatment unit, tube settlers are often used in combination with dissolved air flotation devices and filtration systems. By intercepting suspended solid particles and accelerating the coalescence and rising of oil droplets, they help to separate and collect oil, and can also reduce the dosage of chemicals.
Tailings Concentration Treatment
Tailings slurry contains recoverable minerals and a large amount of wastewater. It is evenly transported to the inclined tube area of the tube settler through a feeding device. Among them, the solid particles will continuously settle to the bottom of the tube settler, and through treatments such as dewatering and re-selection, the minerals can be recovered. Most of the clear liquid in the upper layer can be recycled back into the ore dressing process for reuse.
Comparison of PP vs PVC Tube Settlers
|
Comparison Dimension |
PP Tube Settlers |
PVC Tube Settlers |
|
Initial Purchase Cost |
Under the same specifications and treatment capacity, the unit purchase price of PP tube sedimentators is 10% - 20% higher than that of PVC. |
Compared with PP, the material cost of PVC is lower, suitable for long - term use. |
|
Chemical Corrosion Resistance |
Resistant to a variety of chemicals and can be used in various chemical reaction environments. |
lower chemical resistance than PP, but also resistant to many corrosive substances such as acids and alkalis. |
|
Temperature Resistance |
Withstand high temperatures of 120 - 150 degrees Celsius, suitable for sewage treatment during heat treatment without deformation. |
Working temperature ranges from 0°C to 60°C, not very suitable for high - temperature environments. |
|
Mechanical Strength and Durability |
Added with ultraviolet stabilizers to delay aging, and can be used in outdoor facilities and industrial scenarios under strong light. |
The elastic modulus ranges from 1500 to 3000 MPa, which can evenly disperse external forces and avoid deformation or damage. |
|
Installation Convenience |
The PP material is lightweight and suitable for installation in high places or in areas with narrow spaces. |
It is also lightweight, and the installation process is relatively easy. However, the texture is relatively brittle, and sometimes the pipeline may burst due to improper operation. |
|
Applicable Scenarios |
Tailings concentration of tailings slurry containing acids and alkalis / impurity separation process in the food and beverage industry / solid - liquid separation in some chemical production processes. |
Tailings slurry without strong acids and alkalis in small mines / preliminary sedimentation of municipal sewage. |
Solutions for Fluids with High Solid Content
As one of the top water treatment suppliers, AquaSust provides you with efficient sedimentation solutions. Our settlers can maximize the separation of solids in wastewater through smooth flow. For information on the size range and selection suggestions of tube settlers, you can contact us for detailed information.