What can cause increased turbulence in a clarifier?

Increased turbulence in a clarifier can significantly affect its efficiency in separating solids from liquids. A clarifier is designed to promote settling through laminar flow conditions; however, if the clarifier is not appropriately sized for the flow rates it handles, turbulence can occur.

When a clarifier is improperly sized, it may be either too small or not adequately designed to accommodate the volume of influent entering it. For example, if the tank is too small for the influent flow, the velocities can increase, leading to turbulent flow rather than the ideal gentle flow necessary for effective settling. This turbulence disrupts the sedimentation process, causing solids to remain suspended in the liquid rather than settling to the bottom. As a result, it can lead to inefficient treatment and potential overflow situations if the clarifier cannot handle the incoming load.

While high influent flow can also contribute to turbulence, the key factor here is the relationship between the overall design of the clarifier and its operational performance. If the design is flawed with respect to flow rates, turbulence will inherently increase, impairing the clarifier's function.