What is the primary function of a clarifier?

The primary function of a clarifier is to separate solids from liquids through sedimentation. This is a crucial step in the wastewater treatment process, where the clarifier allows suspended solids to settle due to gravity, effectively removing them from the liquid phase. During this process, denser particles sink to the bottom, forming a layer of sludge, while the clearer liquid, known as supernatant, rises to the top. This separation is vital for enhancing the quality of the effluent and ensuring that further treatment processes can be more effective and efficient.

In contrast, the functions of adding nutrients, providing aeration, and disinfecting treated water, while important in their own contexts within wastewater treatment, do not directly relate to the specific role of a clarifier. Nutrients are typically added in biological treatment phases, aeration is primarily associated with processes that promote microbial growth and degradation of organic materials, and disinfection occurs later in the treatment sequence to eliminate pathogens before discharge. Thus, the clarification process is distinct and integral to the effective treatment of wastewater.