YPT Lamella Clarifiers

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Compact Settling Solutions with Lamella Efficiency

YPT Lamella Clarifiers

A lamella clarifier is a compact, high-efficiency sedimentation device that uses a bank of inclined plates (or tubes) to increase the effective settling surface area, thereby improving solids-liquid separation in a smaller footprint than a conventional clarifier.

In operation, a feed slurry (or water with suspended solids) enters the unit, flows upward between the inclined plates, solids settle onto the plate surfaces and slide down into a sludge hopper or collection zone, while clarified effluent exits over a weir.

Areas of Application

Lamella clarifiers are widely used in applications such as:
  • Industrial process water clarification, including mineral processing wash-water, backwash from filters, desliming circuits.
  • Municipal and wastewater treatment (primary or tertiary clarification) where footprint is constrained and high loading rates are required.
  • Mining & mineral processing, particularly for clarifying process water, removing fine suspended solids, or retrofitting existing clarifiers to increase capacity.
  • Other industrial streams (chemical, food & beverage, metal finishing) where rapid clarification and compact plant layout are critical.

Principle of Operation

The operational principle is as follows:
  • The feed enters the clarifier via an inlet chamber or feedwell, designed to distribute flow and reduce turbulence.
  • The slurry then flows upward between a series of inclined plates (lamella modules). Because of the inclination, the effective settling area is multiplied, reducing required footprint.
  • As the fluid moves upward slowly, particles settle onto the plate surfaces, slide down under gravity to a sludge collection hopper at the bottom.
  • The clarified liquid exits at the top over a peripheral weir or outlet channel. The separation relies on reduced turbulence, uniform upward flow, and increased area.
  • In many installations, flocculants or coagulants may be added upstream to enhance settling performance of fine particles.

Smart Clarification. Minimal Footprint

YPT Lamella Clarifiers Highlights

Layered Design for Superior Solids-Liquid Separation

Design Criteria

When designing or specifying a lamella clarifier, consider:

Plate angle and spacing:

Typical plate inclinations in industry range between 45° and 70° (some sources mention ~50-60°) to allow settled solids to slide down and to maximise self-cleaning.

Projected settling area:

Because the plates increase area, a lamella clarifier can require significantly less footprint (some literature indicates up to 10 m² of settling area per 1 m² of floor).

Upward flow velocity (rise rate):

Low fluid upward velocity is critical so suspended particles have time to settle; typical rise rates for lamella units may be in the range of ~0.8-4.9 m/h (varies by source) or surface loading ~10-25 m/h or higher relative to conventional clarifiers.

Feed distribution and turbulence control:

Even flow and minimal turbulence are essential because uneven or high velocities disturb settled solids and reduce efficiency.

Sludge collection and discharge:

The hopper/sludge collection area must be sized for settled solids, with low disturbance and periodic discharge.

Material of construction & fouling:

Plates may be steel, FRP, etc; spacing and maintenance access for cleaning may be critical in corrosive or abrasive service.

Feed solids concentration and characteristics:

The design must consider feed particle size distribution, density, flocculation response (especially for fine particles) and chemistry.

Integration with upstream/downstream:

Often lamella units are used after flocculation or as pre‐treatment; selection must consider effluent clarity target and footprint constraints.

Technical Specifications

Here are indicative specification ranges (for illustration; actual units must be sized to duty):

Plate inclination angle:

~45° to 70°Self-cleaning and sliding of solids

Plate spacing:

~50 mm (sometimes 50-80 mm)For typical industrial loading

Surface loading / overflow rate:

~10-25 m³/m²·h (or 5-12 m³/m²·h in some sources)Compared to conventional clarifiers; depends on feed.

Rise (upward) velocity:

~0.8 – ~5 m/hLower values preferred for fine particles.

Effective settling area gain:

Up to ~5–10× compared to same footprint conventional clarifier

Footprint / footprint reduction:

Up to ~65-90% reduction vs conventional tanksSpace saving advantage

Important Considerations:

  • Because the upward flow region is small, the feed inlet must be carefully designed to avoid high-velocity zones and resuspension of settled solids; poor design here can severely degrade performance.
  • Fines or very low-density particles may not settle as readily as expected even with lamella modules; pre-treatment (flocculation) may be necessary to achieve clarity targets.
  • Sludge accumulation on plates can reduce effective area and increase hydraulic resistance over time; maintenance of plate packs is important.
  • Retrofitting lamella modules into existing tanks may require structural considerations and re-leveling of weirs or launders to maintain flow distribution.
  • While footprint is reduced, plate packs can complicate maintenance access, cleaning, and may require special handling; planning for this is often overlooked.
  • In mineral processing applications with abrasive slurries or high solids loading, plate materials, liners and wear protection must be selected carefully; many lamella designs are targeted at water treatment rather than abrasive loads.
  • The clarified water quality is dependent not just on settling but on hydraulic conditions and feed variability — instrumentation and control (or robust design for variable feed) should not be ignored.