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Flocculation is a process by which a chemical coagulant added to the water acts to facilitate bonding between particles, creating larger aggregates which are easier to separate. The method is widely used in water treatment plants and can also be applied to sample processing for monitoring applications.
What is the principle of flocculation?
Coagulation – flocculation is physico-chemical process that facilitates the agglomeration of fine particles (colloids) contained in water to form a floc that can be easily filtered from water. Effluent (waste water) must be treated before it is discharged or before the water is re-used.
Why flocculation is important in water treatment?
Coagulation and flocculation are important processes in water treatment with coagulation aimed to destabilize and aggregate particles through chemical interactions between the coagulant and colloids, and flocculation to sediment the destabilized particles by causing their aggregation into floc.
What makes a good flocculant?
Polymers are useful as flocculants because they are robust molecules and sometimes carry charges. Because they are so large, small particles can get trapped in the curves of the polymer causing them to accumulate a mass heavy enough to prevent their retention in solution.
How do I reduce the chloride in my body?
Some treatment options include:
- taking medications to prevent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- changing drugs if they are a factor in the electrolyte imbalance.
- drinking 2–3 quarts of fluid every day.
- receiving intravenous fluids.
- eating a better, more balanced diet.
Is alum a coagulant or flocculant?
To accomplish this, the water is treated with aluminum sulfate, commonly called alum, which serves as a flocculant. Raw water often holds tiny suspended particles that are very difficult for a filter to catch. Alum causes them to clump together so that they can settle out of the water or be easily trapped by a filter.
What does flocculation not remove?
Suspended particles cannot be removed completely by plain settling. Large, heavy particles settle out readily, but smaller and lighter particles settle very slowly or in some cases do not settle at all. Aluminum sulfate (alum) is the most common coagulant used for water purification.
Why flocculating agents are used in suspension?
Suspending agents form film around particle and decrease interparticulate attraction. At rest the solution is sufficient viscous to prevent sedimentation and thus aggregation or caking of the particles. When agitation is applied the viscosity is reduced and provide good flow characteristic from the mouth of bottle.
Why is flocculation important?
Used water can contain significant amounts of suspended particulate matter, which often takes long to sediment. Flocculation expedites sedimentation and ensures efficient solid/liquid separation.
What causes high chloride in wastewater?
Residential water softeners are often a cause of salty discharge in municipal wastewater systems. The salt used for the brine can cause elevated chloride levels.
What is difference between flocculation and Deflocculation?
The key difference between flocculation and deflocculation is that flocculation is the formation of flocs by the clumping of fine particles, whereas deflocculation is the dispersion of flocs to form a stable colloid. Flocculation refers to the formation of clumps from fine particles in a colloid.
How is sodium removed from wastewater?
To remove sodium from water, one may apply reverse osmosis, electro dialysis, distillation techniques or ion exchange. Reverse osmosis is most economical considering energy and money requirements.
Is FeCl3 a coagulant?
Ferric chloride (FeCl3) is the most common iron salt used to achieve coagulation. Its reactions in the coagulation process are similar to those of alum, but its relative solubility and pH range differ significantly from those of alum. Both alum and ferric chloride can be used to generate inorganic polymeric coagulants.
How is chloride removed from wastewater?
At high concentrations, chloride can harm fish and plant life. But there’s no easy and affordable way to remove chloride in wastewater. It would require reverse osmosis, the same process used to produce water for laboratory use, which is technically difficult as well as costly.
What happens if agitation rate in flocculation phase is too high?
Stirring too fast can break large particles apart, while stirring too slowly can prevent particles from clumping enough. A wide variety of flocculation- mixing mechanisms have been used in water treatment.
What causes yeast flocculation?
The molecular basis of yeast flocculation The requirement for calcium in flocculation, and its inhi- bition by mannose has led to the now generally accepted explanation for yeast-cell flocculation: that the flocculation mechanism of various yeast strains is based on a calcium-dependent lectin-sugar inter- action 4.
How often can you use flocculant?
You can reuse a clarifier after 5-7 days, but if you’re constantly seeing cloudy water, there may be other problems. Adding too much flocculant can cause its own issues.
How can flocculation be prevented?
When particles of a suspension come close together they can form aggregates called flocculates which will settle more rapidly. To prevent that we often coat the particle with a charged surfactant. The charge (Zeta potential) acts to keep the particles separate and prevent flocculation.
Can you drink flocculant?
In addition, coagulants and flocculants are expensive, which is why you want to avoid adding more than are necessary to the water; drinking water treatment plants use “jar tests” to identify the optimal coagulant and flocculant concentrations. Do not drink any of your water samples—even if they appear clear.
What chemicals are flocculants?
A flocculants are usually organic chemicals added to wastewater to enhance flocculation, such chemicals are alum, aluminium chlorohydrate, aluminium sulphate etc.
Why does pH affect coagulation?
Since pH values affect the surface charges and forms of the coagulants and impurities to be removed, controlling the level of pH would significantly improve the coagulation process. Therefore, not only coagulant dosage, but also pH value should be optimized to maximize the removal of impurities present in raw water.
Does flocculant affect pH?
Because flocculants can affect the pH level, you’ll want to start out with it at about 7.0 so you can make sure your sanitizer keeps working at maximum efficiency.
What is the difference between flocculant and coagulant?
Depending on the charge and chemical composition of your wastewater, flocculants can either be used on their own or in combination with coagulants. Flocculants differ from coagulants in that they are often polymers, whereas coagulants are typically salts.
