Environmental Science Questions and Answers - Theory of Sedimentation

1. In which type of settling, sedimentation of discrete particles takes place?
a) Zone settling
b) Compression settling
c) Hindered settling
d) Discrete settling

Answer: d
Explanation: In Discrete settling, sedimentation of discrete particles takes place where the particles have little tendency to flocculate.

2. In which settling type, dilute suspension of particles takes place?
a) Zone settling
b) Compression settling
c) Hindered settling
d) Discrete settling

Answer: c
Explanation: In this type of settling, particle mass increase and it settle down due to flocculation

3. In which type of sedimentation, flocculent suspension of intermediate concentration takes place?
a) Type I sedimentation
b) Type II sedimentation
c) Type III sedimentation
d) Type IV sedimentation

Answer: c
Explanation: In type III sedimentation, inter-particle forces hold the particle together and flocculent suspension of intermediate concentration takes place

4. In which type of sedimentation, flocculent suspension of high concentration takes place?
a) Type I sedimentation
b) Type II sedimentation
c) Type III sedimentation
d) Type IV sedimentation

Answer: d
Explanation: In type IV sedimentation, flocculent suspension of high concentration takes place and particles comes in contact with each other resulting in the formation of structure.

5. What is the settling velocity of the particle if its diameter is 2 * 10-3cm. Given G=2.65, viscosity v=8 * 10-3cm2/sec?
a) 0.011cm/sec
b) 0.045cm/sec
c) 0.024cm/sec
d) 0.036cm/sec

Answer: b
Explanation: Settling velocity of the particle is given by vs=g (G-1) d2/18v
Specific gravity G=1, g=981cm2/sec, viscosity v=8 * 10-3cm2/sec
vs = 981* (2.65-1) *0.002*0.002/(18*.008) = 0.0449cm/sec ~ 0.045cm/sec.

6. In a rectangular horizontal flow tank, the maximum permissible velocity is ____ m/Sec.
a) 3
b) 0.3
c) 0.03
d) 0.003

Answer: b
Explanation: In the rectangular tank, the ideal conditions are that the flow is horizontal, velocity is uniform in all directions and the maximum permissible limit of velocity is .03m/Sec.

7. The time period for which the water is stored in a sedimentation tank is called _____
a) Time of flow
b) Frequency of flow
c) Settling time
d) Detention period

Answer: d
Explanation: Detention period is the time period at which the water is stored in a tank. It varies for different purposes like in the septic tank or oxidation pond, its value is higher

8. Settling velocity of a spherical body in a viscous fluid is given by ___________
a) Reynolds law
b) Newton’s law
c) Stokes law
d) Charles law

Answer: c
Explanation: According to Stokes law, settling velocity of the particle is given by
vs=g (G-1) d2/18v where G is the specific gravity, d is the diameter of spherical particles and v is the viscosity.

9. In a fill and draw type sedimentation tank, a detention period of ____ hours is provided.
a) 6
b) 12
c) 18
d) 24

Answer: d
Explanation: In this tank, water is detained for 24 hours. Then cleaning is done for 6-12 hours, so, the whole cycle of operations takes around 30-36 hours

10. Which of the following represents the correct relation between displacement velocity and diameter of the particle?
a) v1 = (8Bg (G-1) d/f) 1/2
b) v1 = (8Bg (G-1) d2/f)2
c) v1 = (8Bg (G-1) d/f)
d) v1 = (8Bg (G-1) d/f)2

Answer: a
Explanation: Displacement velocity is given by v1 = (8Bg (G-1) d/f)1/2 where B is a constant with value range 0.04-0.06, G is specific gravity, d is the diameter of the particle and f is the Darcy Weisbach friction factor.