Quasi Steady-State Analysis of Continuous Sedimentation with Applications to Stability Analysis and Design

An analysis is provided for quasi steady-state continuous sedimentation. The clarification and thickening zones are both included. A linear analysis of the stability of steady sedimentation is considered while either discarding or accounting for diffusional effects. The requirement for steady-state operation is provided using a similarity solution. The case of interest is when all of the solid material leaves with the under flow stream; the results are found to match a conventional design criterion.