Glossary entry (derived from question below)
French term or phrase:
décantation
English translation:
settling/separation
Added to glossary by
B D Finch
Apr 20, 2010 07:55
14 yrs ago
6 viewers *
French term
décantation
French to English
Tech/Engineering
Engineering (general)
water treatment
I find that this is alternatively translated as "sedimentation" and as "settling". I am translating into UK English and find more references that appear not to be translations from other languages for "settling tank" than for "sedimentation tank". However technical advice on any difference between the terms and when each should be used to translate "décantation" would be appreciated.
Proposed translations
(English)
| 4 | settling; separation |
Bourth (X)
|
| 4 | sedimentation, settling -according to context |
Irina Lazarescu
|
Proposed translations
40 mins
Selected
settling; separation
My English-born and educated father was a water engineer and in his days with the municipal drainage board referred frequently to the settling tanks at the sewage plant (where my brother once got a school-summer-holiday job painting; when asked what he painted, he would reply that his job was to put a blob on each turd as it came out of the line to indicate that it had been treated (he always was a smartarse and it used to get him into trouble at school)).
However if you're still into your plate separators, which fulfil the same function they seem to be called precisely that, separators.
In the US settling tanks tend to be called "clarifiers" I think.
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Note added at 45 mins (2010-04-20 08:40:51 GMT)
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And my 1954 Manual of British Water Supply Practice (not my father's) compiled by the Institution of Water Engineers, refers to "settling" and "settling tanks", though "sedimentation" comes up (or, rather, "goes down") too.
However if you're still into your plate separators, which fulfil the same function they seem to be called precisely that, separators.
In the US settling tanks tend to be called "clarifiers" I think.
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Note added at 45 mins (2010-04-20 08:40:51 GMT)
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And my 1954 Manual of British Water Supply Practice (not my father's) compiled by the Institution of Water Engineers, refers to "settling" and "settling tanks", though "sedimentation" comes up (or, rather, "goes down") too.
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks Bourth."
37 mins
Irina Lazarescu
Romania
Romania
Specializes in field
Romania
bridging people and ideas
Native in: Romanian 
Works in: English to Romanian, Romanian to English, French to Romanian, and 2 more.
sedimentation, settling -according to context
According Oxford Dictionary:
sediment
n noun
1 matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid.
2 Geology particulate matter carried by water or wind and deposited on the land surface or seabed.
n verb settle or deposit as sediment.
DERIVATIVES
sedimentation noun
ORIGIN
C16: from French sédiment or Latin sedimentum 'settling'.
settle1,
n verb
1 resolve or reach an agreement or decision about (an argument or problem). Ø(settle for) accept or agree to (something less than satisfactory).
2 (often settle down) adopt a more steady or secure style of life, especially in a permanent job and home. Ø(settle down to) apply oneself to. Øbecome or make calmer or quieter.
3 sit or come to rest in a comfortable position. Øbegin to feel comfortable in a new situation.
4 fall or come down on to a surface. Ø(of suspended particles) sink slowly in a liquid to form sediment. Ø(of an object) gradually sink down under its own weight. Ø(of a ship) begin to sink.
5 pay (a debt or account). Ø(settle something on) give money or property to (someone) through a deed of settlement or a will.
6 dated silence (a troublesome person).
DERIVATIVES
settleable adjective
ORIGIN
Old English setlan 'to seat, place'.
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Note added at 39 mins (2010-04-20 08:35:15 GMT)
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Sedimentation is a dynamic process ,some grains come back into the liquid and others fall down to the bottom side.
Settling is just a one way process , the falling and settling phase.
I hope this helps.
sediment
n noun
1 matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid.
2 Geology particulate matter carried by water or wind and deposited on the land surface or seabed.
n verb settle or deposit as sediment.
DERIVATIVES
sedimentation noun
ORIGIN
C16: from French sédiment or Latin sedimentum 'settling'.
settle1,
n verb
1 resolve or reach an agreement or decision about (an argument or problem). Ø(settle for) accept or agree to (something less than satisfactory).
2 (often settle down) adopt a more steady or secure style of life, especially in a permanent job and home. Ø(settle down to) apply oneself to. Øbecome or make calmer or quieter.
3 sit or come to rest in a comfortable position. Øbegin to feel comfortable in a new situation.
4 fall or come down on to a surface. Ø(of suspended particles) sink slowly in a liquid to form sediment. Ø(of an object) gradually sink down under its own weight. Ø(of a ship) begin to sink.
5 pay (a debt or account). Ø(settle something on) give money or property to (someone) through a deed of settlement or a will.
6 dated silence (a troublesome person).
DERIVATIVES
settleable adjective
ORIGIN
Old English setlan 'to seat, place'.
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Note added at 39 mins (2010-04-20 08:35:15 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Sedimentation is a dynamic process ,some grains come back into the liquid and others fall down to the bottom side.
Settling is just a one way process , the falling and settling phase.
I hope this helps.
Note from asker:
| Thank you Irina. Though I need an answer based upon familiarity with water treatment industry, rather than a dictionary definition, your note on the distinction between sedimentation and settling could be useful. |
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