Particle Detachment in Granular Media Filtration

Particle breakthrough can occur by either the breakoff of previously captured particles (or flocs) or the direct passage of some influent particles through the filter. Filtration experiments were performed in a laboratory-scale filter using spherical glass beads with a diameter of 0.55 mm as collectors. A single type of particle suspension (Min-U-Sil 5, nearly pure $SiO_2$) and three different destabilization methods (pH control, alum and polymer destabilization) were utilized. The operating conditions were similar to those of standard media filtration practice: a filtration velocity of 5 m/h. To assess the possibility of particle detachment during the normal filtration, a hydraulic shock load (20% increase of flow rate) was applied after 4 hours of normal filtration. The magnitude of particle detachment was proportional to the particle size for non-Brownian particles. At the same time, less favorable particles, i.e., particles with larger surface charge, were easily detached during the hydraulic shock load. Therefore, proper particle destabilization before filtration is crucial for maximum particle removal as well as minimum particle breakthrough.

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