What is the process of separating floc from water by gravity?

The process of separating floc from water by gravity is known as sedimentation. During sedimentation, the floc, which consists of aggregated particles or impurities that have been removed from the water, settles down to the bottom of a basin or tank due to the force of gravity. This allows for the clearer water above to be collected and further treated or distributed.

In this context, sedimentation is a critical step in water treatment processes, particularly after flocculation, where chemicals are added to encourage the formation of floc. The efficiency of sedimentation is influenced by various factors, including the size of the floc particles and the duration of the settling process.

Filtration involves passing water through a medium to physically remove particles, which is a different mechanism than the gravitational settling used in sedimentation. Centrifugation uses centrifugal force to accelerate the separation process, which is not gravity-based. Flocculation refers to the process of adding chemicals to encourage floc formation, rather than the separation of floc from water.