QA

Question: What Is The Purpose Of Coagulation And Flocculation In Water Treatment

Coagulation and flocculation are used to separate the suspended solids portion from the water. Suspended particles vary in source, charge, particle size, shape, and density.

What is the purpose of flocculation in water treatment?

Flocculants are substances that promote the agglomeration of fine particles present in a solution, creating a floc, which then floats to the surface (flotation) or settles to the bottom (sedimentation). This can then be more easily removed from the liquid.

What is the purpose of coagulation?

Coagulation is a process used to neutralise charges and form a gelatinous mass to trap (or bridge) particles thus forming a mass large enough to settle or be trapped in the filter.

What are the factors affecting coagulation?

Many factors effect of colloidal matter such as, nature of coagulant, retention time, concentration of coagulant and the physical properties such as temperature, pH and others.

What is an example of coagulation?

Examples of Coagulation Milk proteins coagulate to thicken the mixture that forms yogurt. Blood platelets coagulate blood to seal a wound. Pectin gels (coagulates) a jam. Gravy coagulates as it cools.

What two chemicals are commonly used as water coagulants?

Aluminum sulfate (alum) is the most common coagulant used for water purification. Other chemicals, such as ferric sulfate or sodium aluminate, may also be used.

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.

What is the principle of coagulation?

Coagulation and flocculation are related terms describing the process of preparing colloidal materials for removing by sedimentation. Coagulation is the process used to reduce the energy forces present around particles that tend to keep them from joining together to form a larger mass.

What are the steps in water treatment?

They typically consist of several steps in the treatment process. These include: (1) Collection ; (2) Screening and Straining ; (3) Chemical Addition ; (4) Coagulation and Flocculation ; (5) Sedimentation and Clarification ; (6) Filtration ; (7) Disinfection ; (8) Storage ; (9) and finally Distribution.

What is the first step in water treatment?

Coagulation and flocculation are often the first steps in water treatment. Chemicals with a positive charge are added to the water. The positive charge of these chemicals neutralizes the negative charge of dirt and other dissolved particles in the water.

What is the most used coagulant?

Iron and aluminium salts are the most widely used coagulants but salts of other metals such as titanium and zirconium have been found to be highly effective as well.

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.

What is the difference between coagulation and flocculation in water treatment plant?

Basically, coagulation is a process of addition of coagulant to destabilize a stabilized charged particle. Meanwhile, flocculation is a mixing technique that promotes agglomeration and assists in the settling of particles. The product of the mixing intensity and mixing time is used to describe flocculation processes.

Which are two chemicals used to purify water?

Chlorine and ozone are two chemicals used to purify water.

Why is coagulant added to water?

Coagulant aid Chemicals (typically synthentic polymers) added to water to enhance the coagulation process. if an excess of alum is added so that the dosed water pH is less than 5.0, then the metal ions (Al3+) will directly ˜eutralize the negatively charged organic compounds and colloids in the raw water. 1.

Which coagulant is best?

Chemical Coagulants Used In Water Treatment

  • Aluminum Sulfate (Alum) – One of the most commonly used water treatment chemicals in the world.
  • Aluminum Chloride – A second choice to Alum as it is more expensive, hazardous and corrosive.
  • Polyaluminum Chloride (PAC) & Aluminum Chlorohydrate (ACH)

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.

What are the three main stages of water treatment?

There are three main stages of the wastewater treatment process, aptly known as primary, secondary and tertiary water treatment. In some applications, more advanced treatment is required, known as quaternary water treatment.

Which chemicals are used for coagulation?

Traditional chemical coagulation uses aluminum and iron coagulants. The most common aluminum coagulants are aluminum sulfate, aluminum chloride, and sodium aluminate. Iron coagulants include ferric sulfate, ferrous sulfate, ferric chloride, and ferric chloride sulfate [4].

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 is the most important step in water treatment?

It is, however, an important primary step in the water treatment process, because coagulation removes many of the particles, such as dissolved organic carbon, that make water difficult to disinfect. Because coagulation removes some of the dissolved substances, less chlorine must be added to disinfect the water.

What is coagulation process?

Coagulation is a process of combining particles, colloids, and dissolved organic material into larger aggregates (Amirtharajah and O’Melia, 1990). These aggregates are then removed from the water usually by clarification and filtration processes in most conventional WTWs.

What is the most commonly used coagulant in water treatment?

Aluminum and iron salts are the most commonly used inorganic coagulants in the wastewater treatment settings. These include based aluminum metals (aluminum chloride, aluminum sulfate, sodium aluminate) and iron based metals (ferrous sulfate, ferric sulfate, ferric chloride) [13, 17, 18].

Which coagulant is used for sewage treatment?

Alum is used in water treatment whereas Ferric Chloride is used in sewage treatment.

How does a coagulant work?

Coagulants work by creating a chemical reaction, eliminating negative charges that cause particles to repel each other. The action of these bubbles forces clots or flocs of particles to the water surface where they can be skimmed off. Dissolved air flotation is an alternative to sedimentation.