What term describes a tank where heavier solids settle to the bottom of wastewater?

The term that accurately describes a tank in which heavier solids settle to the bottom of wastewater is known as a clarifier. In wastewater treatment processes, a clarifier functions by allowing the suspension of solids to remain in a static condition, where gravity can help separate the solids from the liquid. As the wastewater enters the clarifier, the flow slows down, providing enough time for the heavier particles to settle out of the water. This process is essential for separating the treated water from solids, often resulting in clearer effluent and enabling further treatment or discharge.

While settling chambers and separators are related concepts, they serve slightly different functions. Settling chambers are generally less sophisticated and may not always ensure the same degree of separation as a clarifier. A separator can refer to various types of devices used to segregate different materials or phases but is not commonly used in the context of settling solids in wastewater treatment. A decanter typically refers to a device used for separating liquids from solids, often in a different context than what is described by the clarifier's function. The clarifier stands out as the most appropriate term in this scenario.