IslamicUniversityofGazaEnvironmentalEngineeringDepartment

Water Treatment WaterTreatment

EENV4331
Lecture3:CoagulationandFlocculation
Dr.Fahid Rabah
1
3.1 Definition of Coagulation and Flocculation
Coagulation andflocculation aretwoconsecutiveprocess
(i.e.occuroneaftertheother)thatareusedtoremove
colloidal particles from water colloidalparticles fromwater.
Colloids areverysmallparticles(turbidityandcolorcausing
particles) that can not be removed neither by particles)thatcannotberemovedneitherby
sedimentation(duetotheirlightweight)norbyfiltration.
Examples of colloids: soil particles, bacteria, viruses and Examplesofcolloids: soilparticles,bacteria,virusesand
colorcausingmaterials.Thesecolloidsarestable insolution
andtheoreticallywillstaythereforeverunlessanactionis
donetodestabilizethem.Coagulation andflocculation are
thetwoprocessesusedforthisdestabilization.
2
3 2 Colloidal Stability
Colloids are very Small particles (0.01 to 1 m)
3.2 Colloidal Stability
Most naturally occurring particles in water are negatively charged.
Since like charges repel these small particles or colloids will remain Since like charges repel, these small particles, or colloids, will remain
suspended almost indefinitely.
A fixed layer of positive ions (counterions) is attracted to the negatively
charged colloids by electrostatic attraction. This layer is called stern
layer or fixed layer. This layer is surrounded by a movable diffuse layer
of counterions but with a lower concentration than that in the fixed of counterions but with a lower concentration than that in the fixed
layer. The two layers form what is called the double layer theory.
3
4
Turbidity
Suspended Solids
Colloidal
Light , electrically charged Light , electrically charged
particles
Settleable
Heavy particles
Nonsettleable
Uncharged Light particles
Coagulation
Coagulation
Not affected
Coagulation
Converted to
Uncharged Light particles
Coagulation
Not affected
Flocculation
Not affected
Flocculation
Converted to
Heavy particles
Flocculation
Converted to
Heavy particles
Sedimentation
Around 60% Settle
Sedimentation
Around 60% Settle
Sedimentation
Around 60% Settle
Filtration
Around 35 % filtered
Filtration
Around 35 % filtered
Filtration
Around 35 % filtered
5
Turbidity removal flowchart from surface water
The surface between the two layers is called the shear surface. When
the colloid moves the fixed layer moves with it.
The positive charge attached to the colloid in the stern layer is not The positive charge attached to the colloid in the stern layer is not
enough to neutralize the negative charge of the colloid. So there is a
net electrical potential around the colloid as shown in the Figure 3.1.
The Electrical potential at the shear surface is called the Zeta potential
which is a measure of the repulsive force of the colloid to other colloids
having the same charge. having the same charge.
6
Figure 3.1:
Double layer charges and
Zeta potential around a colloid
7
There are two major forces acting on colloids: There are two major forces acting on colloids:
1)Electrostatic repulsion
negative colloids repel other negatively charged colloids negativecolloidsrepel othernegativelychargedcolloids
orce repultionF tic Eloctrosta F
1
orce repultionF tic Eloctrosta
d
F
ES
,
2

2)Intermolecular attraction,orvander Waals,.

F tt ti W l d V F
1

For a stable colloid the net energy is repulsive.

Force attraction Waal der Van
d
F
Van
,
6

For a stable colloid the net energy is repulsive.

Figures3.2and3.3Illustratesthesetwomainforces.
8
d
Figure 3.2:
Forces affecting colloids : Electrostatic repulsion and Vander Waal attraction
9
Figure 3.3:
Forces affecting colloids : Electrostatic repulsion and Vander Waal attraction
10
3.3 Colloidal Destabilization and agglomeration
1. Colloidal Destabilization or Coagulation:
Itwasillustratedthatcolloidsare stable duetothenetrepulsiveforce
betweenthemconsequentlytheywillstaystableinsuspensionunlessthis
netrepulsiveforceisneutralized.
Theprocessofneutralizationoftherepulsiveforceiscalleddestabilization .
Destabilization isachievedbyaprocesscalledcoagulation.
Coagulation istheprocessofdestabilizationofcolloidsbyaddingchemicals
(Coagulants)withacounter charge toneutralizethechargecarriedbythe
colloids.Thiswillreducetherepellingforceandgivestheopportunityfor
the attractive forces to prevail and allow the particles and make them ready theattractiveforcestoprevailandallowtheparticlesandmakethemready
toagglomerateandformbiggerparticles.
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3.3 Colloidal Destabilization and agglomeration
2. Agglomeration or Flocculation ( Forming Flocs):
Afterdestabilization(i.e.Coagulation),particleswillbereadytoatractand
agglomerateandformflocs.Butthisagglomerationisslowandtheyneed
help toacceleratethisagglomeration.
ThishelpiscalledFlocculation whichis theslowstirringorgentleagitation
toaggregatethedestabilizedparticlesandformarapidsettlingfloc.
Thisgentlemixingincreasesthecollisionsbetweentheparticlesandhelp
themtoagglomerate.Noticethatrapidmixingwilldestroytheflocs,that's
whyweneedgentlemixing.
12
3.4 Coagulation
1. Coagulants:
Coagulants are chemicals that are added to water to destabilize colloids. Coagulantsarechemicalsthatareaddedtowatertodestabilizecolloids.
Themostcommoncoagulantsaregiveninthetablebelow:
Type of coagulant formula most common N yp g
form
aluminum sulfate Al
2
(SO
4
)
3
. 14-18 H
2
O lumps or powder acidic
Sodium aluminate NaAlO
2
or Na
2
Al
2
O
4
Powder alkaline
Poly-aluminiumchloride Al (OH) Cl Solution or powder acidic Poly-aluminiumchloride Al
n
(OH)
m
Cl
3n-m
Solution or powder acidic
Ferric sulfate Fe
2
(SO
4
)
3
.9H
2
O Small crystals acidic
Ferris chloride FeCl
3
. 6H
2
O Lumps or solution acidic
13
Ferrous sulfate FeSO
4
. 7H
2
O Small crystals acidic
2. Coagulation chemistry:
IfAlumisusedthefollowingreactionsoccur:
Al
2
(SO
4
)
3
14H
2
O 2Al
3+
+ 3SO
4
2
+ 14H
2
O
2Al
3+
+ colloids neutralize surface charge 2Al
3+
+ colloids neutralize surface charge
2Al
3+
+ 6HCO
3

2Al(OH)
3
(s) + 6CO
2
If insufficient bicarbonate is available:
Al
2
(SO
4
)
3
14H
2
O 2Al(OH)
3
(s) + 3H
2
SO
4
+ 14H
2
O
Optimum pH: 5.5 to 6.5
Operating pH: 5 to 8
Since the coagulation reaction results in the decrease of the pH so Since the coagulation reaction results in the decrease of the pH, so
It is a common practice to add lime (Ca(OH)
2
) together with the coagulant
to increase the pH consequently countering the effect of pH decrease.
14
3. Factors affecting Coagulation
Thetwomainfactorsaffectingthecoagulationprocessare:
Coagulantdosage g g
pHofthewater
Theoptimumdosage andoptimumpH aredeterminedby p g p p y
laboratorytestcalledtheJarTest.theJartestconsistsofsix
beakersfilledwiththewatertobetreatedandtheneachis
mixedandflocculateduniformly.Atestisoftenconductedby
firstdosingeachjarwiththesamevalueofcoagulantand
varying the pH of each jar The test can then be repeated by varyingthepHofeachjar.Thetestcanthenberepeatedby
holdingthepHconstantandvaryingthecoagulantdosage.
Figure (3.4) illustrates the jar test.
Figure(3.5) illustrates the effect of dosage and pH on the coagulation process.
15
16
Figure (3.4) The Jar Test
17
Figure 3.5:
Effect of coagulant dosage and pH on the coagulation process
4. Design of Coagulation tank:
A. Asillustratedpreviously,coagulationrequirestheadditionofachemical
calledcoagulant.Thecoagulantshouldbeverywellmixedwithwaterto
producehomogeneousmixtureoftheinfluentwaterandthecoagulantto
achievethebestcoagulationefficiency. ac e e e bes coagu a o e c e cy
B This mixing is achieved in a tank called Rapid mixer Figures 3 6 and 3 7 B. ThismixingisachievedinatankcalledRapid mixer.Figures3.6and3.7
illustratethegeometryoftherapidmixer.Itusuallyhasasquareorcircular
crosssectiontoachievebestmixingefficiency.
C. Themostcommonmixersusedinthecoagulationtankaremechanical
mixers.Themostcommontypesare:turbine,propeller,andpaddlemixers.
Fi 3 8 ill t t th t Figure3.8illustratesthesetypes.
18
Figure 3.6 : Rapid mixer
19
Figure 3.6 : Rapid mixer
Figure 3.7 : Rapid mixer
20
Figure 3.7 : Rapid mixer
Figure 3.8 : types mechanical rapid mixer
21
D. SizingthecoagulationsRapid mixer tank:
i Tank Volume: i. Tank Volume:
V = Q*t
Wh Where,
V=tankvolume,m
3
Q=designflow,m
3
/S
t=detentiontimeinthetank,S
Thedetentiontimeintherapidmixerisintherangeof2060seconds. p g
Thisshorttimeisenoughtoachievecompletemixingofthecoagulant
andtocompletethecoagulationprocess.Thewaterdepth isusually
taken as 1.5 times the width of the tank if it is square or the diameter takenas1.5 times the width ofthetankifitissquareorthediameter
ifitisacircular.
22
ii Power Requirements: ii. Power Requirements:
P = VG
2
h Where,
P =powertransmittedtothewaterbythemixer,N.m/s(Watt)
V =tankvolume,m
3
G =velocitygradient,S
1
=dynamicviscosityofwater,N.s/m
2
Thevelocitygradientisdefinedastherelativevelocitybetween
twocolloidalparticlesinwaterdividedbythedistancebetweenthem.
For example if two particles are 1 cm apart and the relative velocity Forexample,iftwoparticlesare1cmapartandtherelativevelocity
betweentheis10m/s,then
G = 10 (mps)/0 01m= 1000 mps/m= 1000 S
1
G = 10 (mps)/0.01m = 1000 mps/m = 1000 S
1
TypicalvaluesofGincoagulationrapidmixingaregiveninthefollowing
Table.
23
Detention time (Seconds) G mps/m, or S
1
Typical design values of the G for coagulation
Detention time (Seconds) G mps/m, or S
20 1000
30 900
40 790
50ormore 700
Example:
A rapid mixer is to be used for coagulation of surface water with high turbidity.
If the flow is 720 m
3
/h find the volume and dimensions of the tank and the
power requirements. Assume that the detention time is 20 seconds and G=1000
S
1
, = 1.518 X 10
3
N.m/s
2
at 5
o
C.
Solution: Solution:
Q = 720 m
3
/h = 0.20 m
3
/s
V = 30*0.2 = 6 m
3
Assume the tank cross section is square ,then V = W*W*1.5W=1.5 W
3
q ,
6= 1.5W
3
, W = 1.587 m, d= 1.5*1.587 = 2.38 m.
P=VG
2
= 1.518X10
3
X6X 1000
2
= 9522 Watt = 9.522 Kw
24
3.5 Flocculation
1. Configurations of Flocculation tanks:
ThemostcommontypesofFlocculatorarepaddleandwalkingbeamFlocculator.
Figures3.9through3.16illustratethesetypes.
Anothertypeoftankscombinebetweenflocculationandsedimentationinone
tankandcalledsolidcontactFlocculatorClarifier.SeeFigures3.17and3.18.
Figures3.19and3.20illustratethelayoutofawatertreatmentplant
with coagulation,flocculationandsedimentationtanks.
25
2. Design of Flocculation tanks:
i. Tank Volume:
V = Q*t
Where,
V=tankvolume,m
3
Q=designflow,m
3
/S Q des g o , /S
t=detentiontimeinthetank,S
Thedetentiontimeintheflocculationtankismuchhigherthanthatin
the rapid mixer It is in the range of 2060 minutes therapidmixer.Itisintherangeof2060minutes.
ii. Power Requirements:
P = VG
2
Where,
P =powertransmittedtothewaterbythemixer,N.m/s(Watt)
V =tankvolume,m
3
G = velocity gradient, S
1
26
G velocitygradient,S
=dynamicviscosityofwater,N.s/m
2
ThevalueofG*tisanimportantfactorintheFlocculator.Ithasarange
Of10
4
to10
5
.typicalvaluesofG1s15to60S
1
.
In paddle Flocculator we usually use three compartments in series and G is tapered InpaddleFlocculator,weusuallyusethreecompartmentsinseriesandGistapered
graduallyfromthefirsttothethirdcompartment.ForexampleG1=60S
1
,G2=60S
1
,
G3=60S
1
.TheaverageofthethreevaluesshouldbeintheAbovementioned
rage for G Tapering is needed to prevent the destruction of the growing flocks
Thepowerisalsoexpressedintermsofthepaddlemixerproperties
asthefollowing:
3
A C
rageforG.Taperingisneededtopreventthedestructionofthegrowingflocks
Where,
C D ffi i f i f ddl bl d di i L/W ( h bl )
2
3
p p D
v A C
P

=
C
D
=Dragcoefficient,functionofpaddlebladesdimensions,L/W(seethetable)
A
p
=Areaofthepaddleblades,m
2
=Waterdensity,kg/m
3
v velocity of the paddle relative to the water m/s v
p
=velocityofthepaddlerelativetothewater,m/s.
Ifmorethanonebladeisusedonthepaddlethepowerisexpressedas:
( )
2
3
3 3
3
2 2
3
1 1 p p p p p p D
v A v A v A C
P
+ +
=

27
ValuesofthedragcoefficientforpaddleWheelFlocculator
C
D
Length to width ration (L/W)
1.20 5
1.50 20
1.90
Therelativevelocity(v
p
)isrelatedtotherotationalspeedofthepaddles
Bythefollowingrelation:
v D v 75 0 ) ( 75 0 e t
Where,
D=thedistancebetweenthecenterlinesofthetwocorrespondingblades
t p
v D v 75 . 0 ) ( 75 . 0 = = e t
p g
onthepaddle,m,(seefigure3.9,thedistancesD
1
,D
2
,D
3
)
=rotationalspeedofthepaddle,rev/s.
v
t
=tangentialvelocityoftheblade.
28
Figure 3.9: Baddel Flocculator, Horizontal Shaft
29
Figure 3.10 : Horizontal-Shaft Paddle Flocculator, Axial flow pattern
30
Figure 3.10 : Horizontal Shaft Paddle Flocculator, Axial flow pattern
Figure 3.11: Horizontal-Shaft Paddle Flocculator, Cross flow pattern
31
Figure 3.11: Horizontal Shaft Paddle Flocculator, Cross flow pattern
Figure 3.12: Horizontal-Shaft Paddle Flocculator, Cross flow pattern
32
Figure 3.13: Vertical Shaft Baddel Flocculator
33
Figure 3.14: Vertical-Shaft Paddle Flocculator
34
Figure 3.14: Vertical Shaft Paddle Flocculator
35
Figure 3.15: Walking Beam-Shaft addle Flocculator
36
Figure 3.16 : Walking Beam Flocculator
Figure 3.17a : Solids Contact Flocculator Clarifier
37
Figure 3.17 b: Solids Contact Flocculator Clarifier
38
Figure 3.18 : Solids Contact Flocculator Clarifier
39
Sedimentation Tank
Vertical shaft Paddle
Flocculation tank
Coagulation Rapid Mixe
40
igure 3.19 : Layout of Coagulation Rapid mixer, flocculation and sedimentation Tanks
Figure 3.20 : g
Layout of
Rapid mix,
flocculation
and
Clarification
Tanks
41
Example 1:
42
43
44
45
V
t
=D
= (4.2)
0.67 m/s = (4.2) ( )
= 0.0508 rps = 3.05 rev/min
46
v
t
v
t
47
Example 2:
3.20
48
49
3.9
50
2
3
p p D
v A C
P

=
) ( 75 . 0 e tD v
p
= ) (
p
e e 893 . 7 35 . 3 * 14 . 3 * 75 . 0
1
= =
p
v
( )
3 3 3
v A v A v A C + +
e e 581 . 3 ; 49 . 5
3 2
= =
p p
v v
( )
2
3 3 2 2 1 1 p p p p p p D
v A v A v A C
P
+ +
=

( )
2
3
3
3
2
3
1 p p p D
v v v A C
P
+ +
=

51

rpm
v
t
=D
t
v
t
vv
t
52
53