sedimentation tank: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical
Quick answer
What does “sedimentation tank” mean?
A large container in which water or wastewater is held for a period, allowing heavier suspended solids to settle to the bottom by gravity.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large container in which water or wastewater is held for a period, allowing heavier suspended solids to settle to the bottom by gravity.
A crucial unit in water and wastewater treatment plants, industrial process systems, and mining operations, designed for the physical separation of particulate matter from a liquid stream.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. 'Sedimentation tank' is standard in both varieties. 'Settling tank' or 'settler' are common synonyms.
Connotations
Neutral, purely technical. No regional connotative differences.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in general discourse but standard within environmental, civil, and chemical engineering contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “sedimentation tank” in a Sentence
The [liquid, e.g., wastewater] undergoes sedimentation in a tankSolids settle [in/within/at the bottom of] the sedimentation tankThe plant includes [number, e.g., two] primary sedimentation tanksVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sedimentation tank” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The sludge is allowed to sediment in the tank.
American English
- The solids will sediment out in the clarifier.
adjective
British English
- The sedimentation process is critical for primary treatment.
American English
- They calculated the tank's sedimentation rate.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, used only in proposals or reports for environmental or construction projects.
Academic
Common in engineering, environmental science, and chemistry texts and lectures.
Everyday
Very rare; would only be used when explaining water treatment processes to the public.
Technical
Standard, high-frequency term in civil/environmental engineering, water treatment, and industrial process design documentation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sedimentation tank”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sedimentation tank”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sedimentation tank”
- Misspelling as 'sedimantation tank' or 'sedimenation tank'.
- Using 'sediment tank' (less precise).
- Confusing it with a 'septic tank' (which is for sewage breakdown, not just settling).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In many contexts, yes, especially in water treatment. 'Clarifier' often implies a sedimentation tank designed to produce a clear effluent. However, 'clarifier' can sometimes refer to tanks using other methods, so context is key.
The accumulated solids, called sludge, are periodically removed from the bottom of the tank by mechanical scrapers and pumps for further processing or disposal.
The shape relates to the sludge removal mechanism and flow patterns. Circular tanks often use rotating scrapers, while rectangular tanks may use travelling bridge scrapers. The choice depends on plant design, space, and cost.
No. It only removes suspended solids that are heavier than water and can settle by gravity within the tank's retention time. Dissolved pollutants, light solids, and colloidal particles require further treatment (e.g., filtration, biological processes).
A large container in which water or wastewater is held for a period, allowing heavier suspended solids to settle to the bottom by gravity.
Sedimentation tank is usually technical in register.
Sedimentation tank: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɛd.ɪ.menˈteɪ.ʃən tæŋk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsɛd.ə.mənˈteɪ.ʃən tæŋk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a snow globe: after you shake it, you let it sit so the 'sediment' (snow) settles to the bottom. A sedimentation tank is like a giant, industrial snow globe for dirty water.
Conceptual Metaphor
A patient, gravity-powered sieve.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary force utilised in a sedimentation tank?