How much more efficient is inclined tube sedimentation compared to conventional?

Inclined tube sedimentation is 2-3 times more efficient than conventional horizontal sedimentation tanks. The hexagonal tube packing creates a large settling area in a small footprint. This means you can treat the same flow rate with a tank that is 1/2 to 1/3 the size.

What size particles can it remove?

Inclined tube sedimentation effectively removes settleable solids larger than 20-30 microns. Typical SS removal efficiency is 70-90% depending on particle size and density. For finer particles, chemical coagulation before sedimentation can significantly improve removal.

What materials are available for the tube packing?

We offer PP (polypropylene), PVC, and FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic) tube packing. PP is the most common and economical option for normal temperatures up to 50°C. FRP is used for higher temperature or corrosive wastewater. All materials are lightweight and easy to install.

How do I clean the inclined tubes?

The tubes are designed for easy cleaning. Most systems include backwash or air scouring systems that can be operated periodically (typically every 1-3 months) to flush out accumulated sludge. For thorough cleaning, the tube modules can be lifted out and washed with a high-pressure water jet.

Inclined Tube Sedimentation Tank

High-efficiency gravity settler with 60% smaller footprint than conventional clarifiers.

10-300 m3/h Tube Settler 60% Smaller Gravity Settling

Surface load: 3-8 m/h Tube angle: 60° Tube material: PP/PVC Tank material: CS/SS304/Concrete Tube length: 1000mm Settling area: 2-5x footprint

Inclined tube settlers use parallel tubes angled at 60 degrees to dramatically increase the settling area in a compact tank. Particles only need to fall a short distance before hitting a tube surface and sliding down to the sludge hopper. This means you get the same treatment capacity in 40% of the space.

Working Principle

Water enters from the bottom, flows upward through the inclined tubes. Heavy particles settle onto the tube surfaces and slide down into the sludge collection hopper. Clean water rises to the top and overflows to the next treatment stage. The key advantage: particles only fall 50-100mm instead of 2-3 meters in a conventional tank.

Clean Water Overflow

Clean Water Zone

Inlet Water
flows upward

Sludge

Water enters from bottom Raw water flows upward through the tube module.

Particles settle on tubes Solids fall only 50-100mm before hitting a tube surface.

Solids slide to hopper Gravity pulls settled particles down the 60° tube into the sludge hopper.

Clean water overflows Clarified water reaches the top and exits to the next stage.

Design Advantages

01

60% smaller footprint than conventional tanks.
02

Settling distance reduced from meters to centimeters.
03

Stable performance under variable loads.
04

Low energy consumption — gravity only.
05

Easy to retrofit into existing systems.
06

Minimal maintenance — no moving parts.

Technical Specifications

Model	IST-10 to IST-300
Flow rate	10-300 m3/h
Dimensions	Varies by model
Tube diameter	50-80 mm
Tube angle	60°
Material options	Carbon steel / SS304 / Concrete
Overflow rate	3-8 m/h

Applications

Mining wastewater

Electroplating

Chemical plant

Power plant

Steel mill

Water treatment plant pre-treatment

Installation & Gallery

Inclined tube sedimentation tank installation

Overview

What Is Inclined Tube Sedimentation Tank?

An inclined tube sedimentation tank, also called a tube settler or lamella clarifier, uses parallel inclined tubes or plates to greatly increase the effective settling area within a compact tank footprint. The tubes are typically angled at 60 degrees, allowing settled solids to slide down by gravity.

By reducing the settling distance from meters to just centimeters, tube settlers achieve the same treatment capacity as conventional clarifiers in 40% of the space. They are ideal for both new installations and retrofitting existing tanks to boost capacity.

60% smaller footprint than conventional clarifiers
Settling distance reduced to centimeters
No moving parts — minimal maintenance

Key Benefits

Why Choose Our Tube Settler?

Four advantages that make inclined tube sedimentation the smart choice for solids removal.

Compact Footprint

Delivers 2-5 times the settling area of a conventional tank. Fits in tight spaces and costs less to install and transport.

High Efficiency

Short settling distance means particles are removed quickly and reliably. Outlet SS below 20 mg/L with proper coagulation.

Low Energy Use

Pure gravity-driven process with no moving parts. No pumps or motors needed for the settling operation itself.

Easy Retrofit

Tube modules drop into existing concrete or steel tanks to boost capacity by 2-3x without building new structures.

Tank Types

Three Construction Options

Choose the tank material that best fits your budget, water chemistry, and site conditions.

FRP Tank

Fiberglass-reinforced plastic tank with excellent corrosion resistance. Lightweight and fast to install. Best for small to medium flow rates with corrosive water.

Steel Tank

Carbon steel or stainless steel construction with epoxy or rubber lining. Factory-built, shipped complete. Ideal for medium to large industrial applications.

Concrete Basin

On-site concrete construction with tube settler modules installed inside. Most economical for very large flow rates in municipal and industrial plants.

Custom Design

Engineered for Your Specific Application

Every sedimentation tank we build is custom-sized for your flow rate, solids loading, and site layout. Our engineers optimize the tube size, tank depth, and sludge collection design to maximize performance for your wastewater.

Custom sizing from 10 to 300+ m3/h
PP or PVC tube media options
Mechanical or hydraulic sludge removal
Optional coagulant dosing system
Tube modules for retrofitting existing tanks

Custom inclined tube sedimentation tank by Soto

FAQ

Common Questions About Tube Settlers

Answers to frequently asked questions about our inclined tube sedimentation tanks.

How much space does an inclined tube settler save compared to a conventional clarifier?

Typically 60% less footprint for the same treatment capacity. The inclined tubes multiply the effective settling area by 2-5 times depending on tube angle and length. This is the biggest advantage, especially on tight sites.

What types of solids can be removed?

Tube settlers effectively remove settleable solids with a specific gravity greater than water. This includes sand, silt, metal hydroxides, coagulated organic matter, and biological floc. They work best with coagulant or flocculant dosing for fine particles.

How often does the sludge need to be removed?

Sludge removal frequency depends on inlet solids concentration. Typical industrial applications require daily or every-other-day sludge wasting. We can provide automatic sludge discharge controlled by timers or level sensors.

Can tube settlers be added to my existing concrete tank?

Yes, this is one of the most common applications. Our tube modules are designed to drop into existing rectangular or circular concrete tanks, increasing capacity by 2-3x without civil construction work.

Get a Quote

Contact Us for Sedimentation Tank Pricing

Share your flow rate and water quality data. We will send a custom design and quotation within 24 hours.

Email david@sotomachinery.com

Phone / WhatsApp +86 18653221918

Factory Qingdao, Shandong, China

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