About Settling Velocity Calculator (Formula)
A Settling Velocity Calculator is a valuable tool in fluid dynamics and sedimentation studies, used to calculate the velocity at which solid particles or droplets settle in a fluid medium under the influence of gravity. This calculation is essential in various applications, including wastewater treatment, environmental science, and particle separation processes. The formula for calculating settling velocity depends on several factors, including the properties of the fluid and the particles or droplets and the gravitational acceleration. One of the commonly used formulas for calculating settling velocity is derived from Stokes’ law, which applies to small, spherical particles or droplets in a viscous fluid:
Settling Velocity (V) = (2 * (Density of Particle – Density of Fluid) * (Particle Radius)² * (Gravity)) / (9 * (Viscosity of Fluid))
Where:
- Settling Velocity (V) is the velocity at which the particle or droplet settles, typically measured in meters per second (m/s) or centimeters per second (cm/s).
- Density of Particle is the density of the solid particle or droplet, typically measured in kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³) or grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³).
- Density of Fluid is the density of the fluid medium, typically measured in kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³) or grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³).
- Particle Radius is the radius of the particle or droplet, typically measured in meters (m) or centimeters (cm).
- Gravity is the gravitational acceleration, typically measured in meters per second squared (m/s²) or centimeters per second squared (cm/s²).
- Viscosity of Fluid is the dynamic viscosity of the fluid, typically measured in pascal-seconds (Pa·s) or poise (P).
To use the Settling Velocity Calculator effectively, you need to know the relevant parameters for the fluid and particles or droplets in your specific application. Inputting these values into the formula will provide you with the settling velocity.
Settling velocity calculations are crucial in various fields, including wastewater treatment to separate solids from liquids, environmental science to model sediment transport in rivers and lakes, and chemical engineering for particle separation processes. Accurate calculations of settling velocity help engineers and scientists design efficient systems and processes.