IslamicUniversityofGazaEnvironmentalEngineeringDepartment

Water Treatment
WaterTreatment
EENV4331

Lecture3:CoagulationandFlocculation
Dr.Fahid Rabah

3.1 Definition of Coagulation and Flocculation

Coagulation andflocculation aretwoconsecutiveprocess
(i.e.occuroneaftertheother)thatareusedtoremove
colloidal particles fromwater.
colloidalparticles
from water
Colloids areverysmallparticles(turbidityandcolorcausing
particles) that can not be removed neither by
particles)thatcannotberemovedneitherby
sedimentation(duetotheirlightweight)norbyfiltration.
Examplesofcolloids:
Examples of colloids: soilparticles,bacteria,virusesand
soil particles, bacteria, viruses and
colorcausingmaterials.Thesecolloidsarestable insolution
andtheoreticallywillstaythereforeverunlessanactionis
donetodestabilizethem.Coagulation andflocculation are
thetwoprocessesusedforthisdestabilization.
2

3 2 Colloidal Stability
3.2

Colloids are very Small particles (0.01 to 1 m)

Most naturally occurring particles in water are negatively charged.

Since like charges repel,
repel these small particles
particles, or colloids,
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
layer. The two layers form what is called the double layer theory.

Turbidity

Suspended Solids
Settleable
Heavy particles

Nonsettleable
Uncharged Light particles

Colloidal
Light , electrically charged
particles

Coagulation
Not affected

Coagulation
Not affected

Coagulation
Converted to
Uncharged Light particles

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

Turbidity removal flowchart from surface water

5

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
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.

Figure 3.1:
Double layer charges and
Zeta potential around a colloid
7

 There are two major forces acting on colloids:

1)Electrostatic repulsion
negative colloids repel othernegativelychargedcolloids
negativecolloidsrepel
other negatively charged colloids

1
FES 2 , Eloctrosta tic repultionForce
d
2)Intermolecular attraction,orvander Waals,.

FVan

1
6 , Van
V der
d Waal
W l attraction
tt ti
F
Force
d

For a stable colloid the net energy is repulsive.

Figures3.2and3.3Illustratesthesetwomainforces.

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.

11

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
yp of coagulant
g

formula

most common
form

aluminum sulfate

Al2 (SO4)3. 14-18 H2O

lumps or powder

acidic

Sodium aluminate

NaAlO2 or Na2Al2O4

Powder

alkaline

Poly-aluminiumchloride Aln(OH)mCl3n-m

Solution or powder

acidic

Ferric sulfate

Fe2(SO4)3.9H2O

Small crystals

acidic

Ferris chloride

FeCl3. 6H2O

Lumps or solution

acidic

Ferrous sulfate

FeSO4. 7H2O

Small crystals

acidic
13

2. Coagulation chemistry:
IfAlumisusedthefollowingreactionsoccur:
Al2(SO4)314H2O 2Al3++ 3SO42+ 14H2O
2Al3+ + colloids neutralize surface charge
2Al3+ + 6HCO3 2Al(OH)3(s) + 6CO2
If insufficient bicarbonate is available:
Al2(SO4)314H2O 2Al(OH)3(s) + 3H2SO4 + 14H2O
Optimum pH: 5.5 to 6.5
Operating pH: 5 to 8

Since the coagulation reaction results in the decrease of the pH,

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
p
g andoptimumpH
p
p aredeterminedby
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

Figure (3.4) The Jar Test

16

Figure 3.5:
Effect of coagulant dosage and pH on the coagulation process

17

4. Design of Coagulation tank:

A. Asillustratedpreviously,coagulationrequirestheadditionofachemical
calledcoagulant.Thecoagulantshouldbeverywellmixedwithwaterto
producehomogeneousmixtureoftheinfluentwaterandthecoagulantto
ac e e e bes coagu a o e c e cy
achievethebestcoagulationefficiency.

B. ThismixingisachievedinatankcalledRapid
B
This mixing is achieved in a tank called Rapid mixer.Figures3.6and3.7
mixer Figures 3 6 and 3 7
illustratethegeometryoftherapidmixer.Itusuallyhasasquareorcircular
crosssectiontoachievebestmixingefficiency.
C. Themostcommonmixersusedinthecoagulationtankaremechanical
mixers.Themostcommontypesare:turbine,propeller,andpaddlemixers.
Fi
Figure3.8illustratesthesetypes.
3 8 ill t t th
t

18

Figure 3.6 :

Rapid mixer
19

Figure 3.7 :

Rapid mixer
20

Figure 3.8 : types mechanical rapid mixer

21

D. SizingthecoagulationsRapid mixer tank:

i.i

Tank Volume:
V = Q*t

Wh
Where,
V=tankvolume,m3
Q=designflow,m3/S
t=detentiontimeinthetank,S
Thedetentiontimeintherapidmixerisintherangeof2060seconds.
p
g
Thisshorttimeisenoughtoachievecompletemixingofthecoagulant
andtocompletethecoagulationprocess.Thewaterdepth isusually
taken as 1.5 times the width ofthetankifitissquareorthediameter
takenas1.5
of the tank if it is square or the diameter
ifitisacircular.

22

ii
ii.

Power Requirements:
P = VG2

Where,
h
P =powertransmittedtothewaterbythemixer,N.m/s(Watt)
V =tankvolume,m3
G =velocitygradient,S1
=dynamicviscosityofwater,N.s/m2
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
(mps)/0 01m = 1000 mps/m = 1000 S11
TypicalvaluesofGincoagulationrapidmixingaregiveninthefollowing
Table.
23

Typical design values of the G for coagulation

Detention time (Seconds)

G mps/m, or S1

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 m3/h find the volume and dimensions of the tank and the
power requirements. Assume that the detention time is 20 seconds and G=1000
S1, = 1.518 X 103 N.m/s2 at 5 oC.
Solution:
Q = 720 m3/h = 0.20 m3/s
V = 30*0.2 = 6 m3
Assume the tank cross section is square
q
,then
,
V = W*W*1.5W=1.5 W3
6= 1.5W3 , W = 1.587 m, d= 1.5*1.587 = 2.38 m.
P=VG2 = 1.518X103X6X 10002 =

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

Design of Flocculation tanks:

2.

i.

Tank Volume:
V = Q*t
Where,
V=tankvolume,m3
Q=designflow,m
Q
des g o , 3/S
t=detentiontimeinthetank,S
Thedetentiontimeintheflocculationtankismuchhigherthanthatin
the rapid mixer It is in the range of 2060 minutes
therapidmixer.Itisintherangeof2060minutes.
ii.

Power Requirements:
P = VG2

Where,
P =powertransmittedtothewaterbythemixer,N.m/s(Watt)
V =tankvolume,m3
G =velocitygradient,S
velocity gradient, S1
=dynamicviscosityofwater,N.s/m2
26

 ThevalueofG*tisanimportantfactorintheFlocculator.Ithasarange
Of104 to105.typicalvaluesofG1s15to60S1.
InpaddleFlocculator,weusuallyusethreecompartmentsinseriesandGistapered
In paddle Flocculator we usually use three compartments in series and G is tapered
graduallyfromthefirsttothethirdcompartment.ForexampleG1=60S1,G2=60S1,
G3=60S1.TheaverageofthethreevaluesshouldbeintheAbovementioned
rage for G Tapering is needed to prevent the destruction of the growing flocks
rageforG.Taperingisneededtopreventthedestructionofthegrowingflocks

Thepowerisalsoexpressedintermsofthepaddlemixerproperties
asthefollowing:

P
Where,

C D A p v 3p
2

CD =Dragcoefficient,functionofpaddlebladesdimensions,L/W(seethetable)
D
ffi i
f
i
f ddl bl d di
i
L/W (
h
bl )
Ap =Areaofthepaddleblades,m2
=Waterdensity,kg/m3
vp =velocityofthepaddlerelativetothewater,m/s.
velocity of the paddle relative to the water m/s
Ifmorethanonebladeisusedonthepaddlethepowerisexpressedas:

C D Ap1v 3p1 Ap 2 v 3p 2 Ap 3v 3p 3

2
27

ValuesofthedragcoefficientforpaddleWheelFlocculator
Length to width ration (L/W)

CD

1.20

20

1.50

1.90

Therelativevelocity(vp)isrelatedtotherotationalspeedofthepaddles
Bythefollowingrelation:

v p 0.75(D ) 0.75vt
Where,
D=thedistancebetweenthecenterlinesofthetwocorrespondingblades
p
g
onthepaddle,m,(seefigure3.9,thedistancesD1 ,D2,D3)
=rotationalspeedofthepaddle,rev/s.
vt =tangentialvelocityoftheblade.
28

Figure 3.9: Baddel Flocculator, Horizontal Shaft

29

Figure 3.10 : Horizontal-Shaft

Horizontal Shaft Paddle Flocculator, Axial flow pattern
30

Figure 3.11: Horizontal

Horizontal-Shaft
Shaft Paddle Flocculator, Cross flow pattern
31

Figure 3.12: Horizontal-Shaft Paddle Flocculator, Cross flow pattern

32

Figure 3.13: Vertical Shaft Baddel Flocculator

33

Figure 3.14: Vertical-Shaft

Vertical Shaft Paddle Flocculator
34

Figure 3.15: Walking Beam-Shaft addle Flocculator

35

Figure 3.16 : Walking Beam Flocculator

36

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
g
3.20 :
Layout of
Rapid mix,
flocculation
and
Clarification
Tanks

41

Example 1:

42

43

44

45

Vt=D
= (4.2)
0.67 m/s = (4.2)
( )
= 0.0508 rps = 3.05 rev/min

vt
46

vt

47

Example 2:

3.20

48

49

3.9

50

C D A p v 3p
2

v p 0.75(D)
v p 1 0 . 75 * 3 . 14 * 3 . 35 7 . 893
v p 2 5 . 49 ; v p 3 3 . 581

C D Ap1v 3p1 Ap 2 v 3p 2 Ap 3v 3p 3

C D A v 3p1 v 3p 2 v 3p 3

2
51

rpm

vt =D
vt
vt

52

53