Flocculation, Flotation, and Adsorption

Objectives

The processes of water and wastewater treatment discussed in this chapter stem
from the dimensions and physical behavior of (1) flocculent and flocculated
particles, (2) particles naturally lighter than water or made so by additives, and (3)
particles colloidal or molecular in size.

There is flocculation when flocculent or flocculated particles conjoin while the

suspended fluid is stirred; there is flotation when particles lighter than water or
buoyed up by additives rise to the surface of quiescent fluids; and there is
adsorption when particles of colloidal and molecular size are adsorbed on
substances such as activated carbon that present relatively immense interfacial
areas to the passing, carrying, or suspending water. Each of these operations can be
made self-sufficient by choice or can be called upon to reduce the load on the
suspending or carrying fluid and in consequence the load on subsequent treatment
operations.

Flocculation

Strictly speaking, flocculation is the stirring or agitation of water or wastewater

containing flocs. In chemical flocculation, however, stirring or agitation may
commence just as soon as the coagulating chemical has been added. Considered by
itself, the initial step is called mixing. In the context of the present chapter,
therefore, the word mixing describes the specific blending, mingling, or
commingling of coagulating chemicals or materials with water or wastewater in
order to create a more or less homogeneous single- or multiple- phase system. The
word stirring, by contrast, describes the disturbing of the flow pattern of a fluid in a
mechanically orderly way for the purpose of effecting a dynamic redistribution of
particles by the induced turbulence. Random rather than orderly turbulence can be
distinguished by the term agitation.

Generally speaking, mixing is aa brief operation seeking a quick response, often in

advance of stirring or agitation, whereas stirring and agitation are more protracted
operations normally aiming at the conjunction of suspended particles of flocs, but
sometimes intended to break up large flocs in order to maintain particle numbers.
Aggregation of the particles is referred to as floc growth; breakup of flocs, as floc
shear. A combination of mixing and stirring and agitation that produces aggregation
is called flocculation, even though more specific terms such as coagulation and
thickening may be preferred by physical chemists and chemical engineers to
identify the origin of the particle concerned.
What is Flocculation?

is when microscopic particles bind together to form larger particles in liquids. It occurs
naturally or artificially in water as well as other solutions
is used in applications such as water purification, sewage treatment, cheese production, and
brewing. It is also used in surface and physical chemistry, biology, and civil engineering.
The term flocculation generally refers to an actual effect while the term flocculant
describes a chemical or substance that promotes flocculation and usually has a positive
charge.

How Flocculation Works

Flocculation occurs when small particles in a solution lose their repelling forces and begin to
attract one another. The small particles then bond together to form flocs or flakes. Under
most circumstances, a flocculant is necessary to begin the flocculation process. The most
common flocculants are iron, aluminum, magnesium, and calcium. When flocs are fully
formed, they can be removed from the solution they are in through traditional filtration
methods.

Applications

Water can be treated via flocculation to remove microscopic dust particles, dirt, and other
airborne substances that produce the cloudiness seen in some water. These microscopic
particles are small but they may affect waters taste, appearance, and texture and can also
cause illness. In the food industry, flocculation determines how long cheese must sit or how
long yeast must brew.

Advantages

Flocculation removes contaminants and loose, airborne particles from water or other
solutions. It is also very simple and is produced when flocculants are added to a solution and
 the particles bond together. Flocculation can be done in a lab or in the field and takes
minutes or hours, depending on the quantity of the solution. It can also be stopped or
prevented by adding deflocculants to a solution. A deflocculant is a negatively charged
substance that counters the effects of flocculation and keeps particles in a substance.

Disadvantages

Flocculation only occurs in liquids and cannot be used on metals or other substances. Also,
not all flocculants can be used with the same solutions or under the same conditions.

What is the purpose of flocculation in water treatment?

In colloid chemistry, flocculation refers to the process by which fine particulates are
caused to clump together into a floc. The floc may then float to the top of the liquid
(creaming), settle to the bottom of the liquid (sedimentation), or be readily filtered from
the liquid.

What is a flocculating agent and how does it work?

Flocculants, or flocculating agents (also known as flocking agents), are chemicals
that promote flocculation by causing colloids and other suspended particles in liquids
to aggregate, forming a floc. Flocculants are used in water treatment processes to
improve the sedimentation or filterability of small particles.