Tube Settlers Vs Plate Settlers: What's The Difference?

Sedimentation is a crucial step in projects such as wastewater treatment and aquaculture. It utilizes gravity to separate sediments, organic debris, and other impurities from water, producing cleaner and safer water. Currently, there are two types of thin-layer sedimentation equipment on the market, namely tube settlers and plate settlers. Both of them belong to the thin-layer sedimentation system, which can enhance the sedimentation effect of water treatment by increasing the effective sedimentation area.

However, these two types of settlers have different structures and suitable application fields. In this article, we will learn more about these two types of settlers, including how to choose the appropriate one according to your actual needs.

 

Tube settlers, also known as lamella clarifiers, are devices used in wastewater treatment. They are composed of lightweight PVC tubes, usually with a hexagonal cross-section. The tubes are connected at a 60-degree angle to increase the sedimentation area. The inclined design allows for better enhancement of the sedimentation of suspended solids, accelerating the separation of solids from the liquid. Typically, the diameter of the PVC tubes ranges from 25 to 50 millimeters, and the length can also be adjusted according to the design requirements.

 

When water containing suspended solids enters the tube settler, the inclined tubes slow down the water flow velocity. This reduced flow velocity enables the suspended particles to settle under the action of gravity. As the particles settle, they slide along the inner surface of the tubes and accumulate at the bottom of the settler unit. Then, the clarified water flows out from the top of the tube settler. In addition, there are two working modes for this tube settler:
(1) They can directly provide a large surface area for the sedimentation of larger particles in the wastewater through a large inclination angle.
(2) They are also used to accumulate smaller particles and increase the vertical distance that the particles must travel before sedimentation until they accumulate into larger particles.

 

Plate settlers are another type of sedimentation equipment used in water treatment. They are composed of parallel inclined plates made of stainless steel or plastic materials, spaced at an angle between 45 and 60 degrees to form water flow channels. The sides of these plates fit together to form a wall, and there are inlets at the lower ends of each side. The stainless steel truss structure support system positions the top of the system at the water line.

 

Similar to tube settlers, plate settlers rely on sedimentation for solid-liquid separation. But the concept behind it is to increase the sedimentation area by using multiple plates. The closer the spacing between the plates, the larger the effective sedimentation area, and the higher the efficiency of removing suspended solids.

Selecting the appropriate sedimentation system requires considering multiple factors, including flow rate, solid load, particle size, available space, and so on. Here are some specific suggestions:

(1) Flow Rate and Solid Load

If your wastewater treatment plant needs to handle medium to low flow rates and solid loads, tube settlers are a better choice. Its pipes with a large inclined area are suitable for treating water bodies with smaller particles and lower solid concentrations.

For high flow rates and high solid loads, plate settlers are more suitable. Its wide-channel design can better cope with high-load conditions.

(2) Particle Size and Concentration

Tube settlers are more suitable for treating water bodies with smaller particles and low concentrations, while plate settlers perform better when treating water bodies with larger particles and high concentrations.

(3) Available Space

Since tube settlers are made of lightweight and flexible PVC, they can be easily cut into different shapes and sizes for installation. They are more suitable for wastewater treatment plants with limited space.

(4) Budget

Tube settlers have a lower cost and are suitable for projects with limited budgets. Plate settlers have a higher initial cost but are more durable and have a higher treatment capacity.

(5) Maintenance Requirements

Tube settlers have a simple structure and do not require much maintenance. However, due to the wider channels of plate settlers, they require more frequent cleaning and maintenance.

So the above is the comparison between the two types of settlers. AquaSust provides efficient wastewater solutions for any industry and ensures quality through reliable products and a knowledgeable engineering team. If you need more detailed selection advice or want to learn more information, please contact us.