Coagulation is an important step in the water purification process. This process is a chemical method to create large particles by combining organic and inorganic pollutants in water. This method allows water to be separated more effectively at later stages of the treatment process, improving the quality of the water for subsequent treatment processes.
Coagulation usually includes these steps:
1. Adding the Coagulant: A coagulant substance is added to the water. These substances are generally organic and inorganic coagulants. These added coagulants help precipitate particles and pollutants present in the water.
2. Mixing: After adding the coagulant to the water, the water may need to be stirred. This ensures that the coagulant is evenly distributed in the water and allows it to react with particles more effectively.
3. Coagulation and Precipitation: Coagulants interact with pollutants in water and break them into large particles. transforms. These large particles become heavier during the settling process and tend to sink to the bottom of the water under the influence of gravity.
4. Separation of Precipitate: Sediment is removed or filtered from the upper part of the water. This process ensures that the water progresses through the later stages of the purification process in a cleaner and more processed manner.
What is a Coagulant?
Coagulants are substances that promote the coagulation of fine particles in a solution, forming coagulated particles, which then settle to the bottom (sedimentation). In this way, coagulated substances can later help significantly in purification processes.
Coagulants can be organic or inorganic. In addition, it can be in various charges, charge densities, molecular weights and forms.
Organic Coagulant
Organic polymeric coagulants are most widely used today due to their ability to promote clotting with a relatively low dosage.
Organic coagulants are coagulants used in water purification and wastewater treatment processes.
Organic coagulants are generally derived from plant or animal sources and often contain compounds such as proteins, tannins or resins. These interact with the particles in the water, bringing them together and facilitating sedimentation.
Organic coagulants can be used as an alternative to inorganic coagulants. Their most important advantages include leaving less chemical residue and having less environmental impact. However, the effectiveness and suitability of organic coagulants may vary depending on the application area, water quality and conditions.
Inorganic Coagulant
Inorganic coagulants are chemicals used in water purification and wastewater treatment processes. These substances provide a way to clean impurities in water by precipitating or coagulating it. Inorganic coagulants generally consist of salts. The most commonly used inorganic coagulants include aluminum sulfate (alum), ferric chloride, ferrous sulfate, and polyaluminum chloride. These chemicals help purify water by both adjusting the pH of the water and ensuring the sedimentation or coagulation of pollution in the water.
What is the Best Coagulant?
In fact, rather than the best coagulant, it is necessary to determine the most suitable coagulant for the water to be coagulated (purified). There are methods such as the jar test to determine the most suitable coagulant, and these studies are provided free of charge by NCC to all its stakeholders.
What are the Differences Between Flocculants and Coagulants?
While both coagulation and flocculation are common processes used in treating and purifying water, they are actually very different.
Coagulation is a chemical process in which the chemical properties of the solution are changed to promote coagulation. Coagulation means clotting. Coagulants are salts that generally break down to release positive or negative charges. Flocculation is a physical process that causes particles to clump together, forming first a cloud and then a precipitate. Flocculants are generally polymers that enable particles to break down into increasingly larger particles or flocs. While physical agitation or other techniques are often required to promote flocculation, coagulation can occur as soon as the coagulant is added to the solution, without any physical treatment.
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