Lecture 6

Pre-treatment & Physical treatment: Coagulation and

flocculation Part 2

COAGULATION REAGENTS
Numerous chemicals are used in coagulation and flocculation processes. There are
advantages and disadvantages associated with each chemical. Following factors should be
considered in selecting these chemicals:

Effectiveness.

Cost.

Reliability of supply.

Sludge considerations.

Compatibility with other treatment processes.

Secondary pollution.

Capital and operational costs for storage, feeding, and handling.

Coagulants and coagulant aids commonly used are generally classified as inorganic

coagulants and polyelectrolytes. Polyelectrolytes are further classified as either synthetic-organic

polymers or natural-organic polymers. The best choice is usually determined only after jar test is
done in the laboratory.
Following table lists several common inorganic coagulants along with associated
advantages and disadvantages.
Table 3.6.1: Advantages and disadvantages of alternative inorganic coagulants
Name
Aluminum

Advantages

Disadvantages

Sulphate Easy to handle and apply; most Adds dissolved solids (salts) to

(Alum)

commonly used; produces less water; effective over a limited

Al2(SO4)3.18H2O

sludge

than

lime;

most pH range.

effective between pH 6.5 and

7.5
Sodium Aluminate

Effective in hard waters; small Often used with alum; high

Na2Al2O4

dosages usually needed

Polyaluminum

In

Chloride (PAC)

formed is more dense and scale data compared to other

Al13(OH)20(SO4)2.Cl15

faster settling than alum

Ferric Sulphate

Effective between pH 46 and Adds dissolved solids (salts) to

some

applications,

cost; ineffective in soft waters

floc Not commonly used; little full

aluminum derivatives

Fe2(SO4)3

8.89.2

water; usually need to add

alkalinity

Ferric Chloride

Effective between pH 4 and 11

FeCl3.6H2O

Adds dissolved solids (salts) to

water;

consumes

twice

as

much alkalinity as alum

Ferrous Sulphate

Not as pH sensitive as lime

Adds dissolved solids (salts) to

(Copperas)

water; usually need to add

FeSO4.7H2O

alkalinity

Lime

Commonly

used;

very Very pH dependent; produces

Ca(OH)2

effective;

large quantities of sludge;

may not add salts to effluent

overdose can result in poor

effluent quality

Polyelectrolytes
Polyelectrolytes are water-soluble polymers carrying ionic charge along the polymer
chain and may be divided into natural and synthetic polyelectrolytes. Important natural
polyelectrolytes include polymers of biological origin and those derived from starch products,
cellulose derivatives and alginates. Depending on the type of charge, when placed in water, the
polyelectrolytes are classified as anionic, cationic or nonionic.

Anionicionize in solution to form negative sites along the polymer molecule.

Cationicionize to form positive sites.

Non-ionicvery slight ionization.

Common organic polyelectrolytes are shown in following table.

Table 3.6.2 : Common organic polyelectrolytes [1]

Polymer
Type
Nonioni
c

Name
Polyacrylamide

Mol.wt.
1106
2106

Available

Typical use

form
to Powder,

As

flocculent

with

emulsion,

inorganic or organic

solution

polymers

Anionic

Cationic

Hydrolyse

1106

Polyacrylamide

2107

Poly(DADMAC)

200

or

500103

to Powder,

As

flocculent

with

emulsion,

inorganic or organic

solution

polymers

to Solution

Primary

coagulant

alone or in combination
with inorganics.

Poly(DADMAC)
polymers
Cationic

Quaternized

10 to 500104

Solution

Polyamines

Primary

coagulant

alone or in combination
with inorganics.

Cationic

Polyamines

104 to 106

Solution

Primary

coagulant

alone or in combination
with inorganics.

Polyelectrolytes versus Inorganic Coagulants

Although they cannot be used exclusively, polyelectrolytes do possess several advantages
over inorganic coagulants. These are as follows.

During clarification, the volume of sludge produced can be reduced by 50 to 90%.

The resulting sludge is more easily dewatered and contains less water.

Polymeric coagulants do not affect pH. Therefore, the need for an alkaline chemical such
as lime, caustic, or soda ash is reduced or eliminated.

Polymeric coagulants do not add to the total dissolved solids concentration.

Soluble iron or aluminum carryover in the clarifier effluent can result from inorganic
coagulant use. By using polymeric coagulants, this problem can be reduced or eliminated
[1].

Coagulant Aids [2]

In some waters, an even large dose of primary coagulant does not produce a satisfactory
floc size and hence good settling rate. In these cases, a polymeric coagulant aid is added
after the coagulant, to hasten reactions, to produce a denser floc, and thereby reducing the
amount of primary coagulant required.

Because of polymer bridging, small floc particles agglomerate rapidly into larger more
cohesive floc, which settles rapidly.

Coagulant aids also help to create satisfactory coagulation over a broader pH range.

Generally, the most effective types of coagulant aids are slightly anionic polyacrylamides
with very high-molecular weights.

In some clarification systems, non-ionic or cationic types have proven effective.

REFERENCES
[1]

Robinson, J. "Water, Industrial Water Treatment" in Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of

Chemical Technology. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2001.

[2]

Harendra, S., Oryshchyn, D., Ochs, T., Gerdemann, S., Clark, J., Summers, C.
Coagulation/flocculation treatments for flue-gas-derived water from oxyfuel power
production with CO2 capture. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2011,
50(17), 1033510343.