design of thickener by computer

a mathematical method for calculation of the minimum cross-sectional area of a thickener is presented by obtaining minimum laboratory batch settling test data, a function, which is called settling function, is derived. this function is found to be in the form of a polynomial of third order. the settling function and mass flux relation are used for the design of thickener. the method predicts the minimum cross-sectional area of a thickener in tehran chemical factory where sodium sulfate is produced. the results thus obtained are promising since they are more accurate than those found through commonly used graphical method.