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Sedimentation on commercial scale occurs in

A. Classifiers

B. Thickeners

C. Rotary drum filters

D. Cyclones

Answer: Option C

Solution (By Examveda Team)

The correct answer is B: Thickeners.
Let's break down why:

Sedimentation is the process where solid particles settle out of a liquid due to gravity.

Thickeners are specifically designed to perform sedimentation on a large, industrial scale.
They are large tanks where solids are allowed to settle to the bottom, forming a concentrated sludge, while the clarified liquid is removed from the top.

Here's why the other options aren't the best fit:

A: Classifiers: Classifiers separate particles based on size and density, often using a combination of sedimentation and hindered settling, but they're more about separation into different fractions than just bulk removal of solids from a liquid like in sedimentation alone.

C: Rotary drum filters: Rotary drum filters use a rotating drum covered with a filter medium to separate solids from liquids. This is a filtration process, not sedimentation.

D: Cyclones: Cyclones use centrifugal force to separate solids from gases or liquids. While they can separate solids from liquids, they are not primarily based on gravity-driven sedimentation. They are more efficient for separating fine particles.

Therefore, thickeners are the primary equipment used for sedimentation on a commercial scale.

This Question Belongs to Chemical Engineering >> Mechanical Operations

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Comments (3)

  1. Atanu Chatterjee
    Atanu Chatterjee:
    6 months ago

    Sedimentation on commercial scale occurs in

    A. Classifiers

    B. Thickeners

    C. Rotary drum filters

    D. Cyclones

    Sedimentation on a commercial scale refers to the settling of solids from a liquid under the influence of gravity, usually in large-scale industrial operations like mineral processing, wastewater treatment, etc.

    Let's look at the options:
    A. Classifiers – Used for separating particles based on size or settling rate, but usually not for large-scale sedimentation.

    B. Thickeners – ✅ Correct. These are large tanks used to settle out solids from suspensions and concentrate the slurry by removing the clear liquid from the top. Widely used in mineral processing, wastewater treatment, and chemical industries.

    C. Rotary drum filters – Used for filtration, not sedimentation.

    D. Cyclones – Use centrifugal force, not gravity-based sedimentation.

    ✅ Correct answer: B. Thickeners

  2. Jagdish Rathod
    Jagdish Rathod:
    6 months ago

    Sedimentation means particles settle down by gravity from liquid suspension.

    Thickeners are large tanks designed specifically for gravity sedimentation to separate solids from liquids on a commercial scale.

    Rotary drum filters (Option C) are used for filtration, not sedimentation. They separate solids by passing slurry through a filter cloth. It’s a mechanical filtration, not settling.

    Classifiers separate based on size and density with fluid flow; they don’t primarily depend on sedimentation.

    Cyclones use centrifugal force, not sedimentation.

    Therefore, the correct answer for sedimentation on commercial scale is B. Thickeners, not C.
    If your book or source says C, it might be a confusion between filtration and sedimentation. Sedimentation strictly means settling by gravity, which thickeners do.

  3. Kishore Goud
    Kishore Goud:
    6 years ago

    I think option b is the right answer, why because industrially sedimentation processes is carried out in a thicker.
    If not explain it...

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