Effects of ballasting Agent (Microsand) on Physical Floc Characteristics

Chemical coagulation destabilizes colloidal particles so that particles grow to larger flocs. Solid particles are then removed by solid-liquid separation after typical precipitation. Rapid precipitation enhances the separation by reducing the precipitation time with larger and denser particles. Conventionally, polyelectolyte compounds (polymers) function as a flocculant aid by introducing a interparticle binding, which increases the particle size and density. And more recent ballasted flocculation adds a ballasting agent (microsand) to form denser particles with its high-density(sp gr=2.65). The current research was to evaluate the manner in which ballasted flocs are formed under different injection timings of microsand and to recognize the effects on floc formation. $FeCl_3$ as a coagulant, anionic polymer for a flocculation aid and microsand were used for the floc formation. Floc size (diameter) was widely ranged with the highest mean value when microsand was injected between $FeCl_3$ and polymer. Mean floc density was larger when the floc formed smaller. Settling velocity increased with larger floc size, whilst not significantly affected by the timing of microsand injection. The additional slow mixing on floc formation increased floc size to some extent.

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