What method is used to remove suspended solids from wastewater?

Settling is a method used to remove suspended solids from wastewater by utilizing the force of gravity. In this process, wastewater is allowed to sit in a treatment tank or basin, allowing the heavier solid particles to sink to the bottom. This sedimentation results in a clearer supernatant liquid above the settled solids, which can then be treated further or discharged. The effectiveness of the settling process relies on several factors, including the size and density of the particles, the duration of the settling time, and the design of the sedimentation tank.

While filtration, coagulation, and absorption are also methods for removing solids or impurities, they operate on different principles. Filtration involves passing the wastewater through a medium that captures the solids, while coagulation involves adding chemicals that cause suspended particles to aggregate and form larger clumps, which can then settle more easily. Absorption typically refers to a process where substances adhere to a surface, which is not specifically aimed at the removal of suspended solids through gravitational settling.