Experiment B : The effect of flocculating agents on sedimentation rates.

Figure 2.3 above displays the correspondence clear liquid interface height and settling time at various flocculating agent dosage.

Generally, the sedimentation rates of the solution in all five cylinders were studied based on the
addition of different dosages of flocculant (PAC) varying from at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 mL
respectively. Just like the previous experiment, the same concentration of calcium carbonate
(CaCO3) which is 100g/L is fixed in all cylinders. Thus, observing table 3, it can be noticed that
the sedimentation rate of cylinder 1 to 5 decreases as time passes where cylinder 1 recorded the
fastest sedimentation rate which is at 0.608 cm/min whereas cylinder 5 recorded the slowest
sedimentation which is 0.341 cm/min. In cylinder 5, between 50 to 60 minutes, there is a
fluctuation in a height. This is caused by the settling of flocs which occurred initially at the top of
the column settling gradually down on the sludge. As their density is almost to water, it takes a
longer time for them to settle down. These flocs first formed when the water is mixed with calcium
carbonate and thus foams are produced (observed in the Appendix). These foams are floating at
the top of the column and takes a long time to settle down. Keeping in mind the dosage of PAC is
the lowest in cylinder 1 in comparison to cylinder 5 which has the highest dosage of flocculant,
the result should be otherwise instead. Theoretically, as the amount of flocculant dosage increases,
the amount of floc or suspended particles produced should increase not only in size of the flocs
but also in quantity as well. The formation agglomerated flocs supposedly should affect the
sedimentation rate to be prolonged and not as observed in the table to be faster. [1] The main cause
of this scenario is narrowed down to the excess and abundant dosage of PAC which was added
from cylinder 1 onwards. Generally, at low dosages, the observed floc size should be small and
fine purely due to the lack of polymer added which in turn depreciates the frequent adsorption
reaction onto the raw water particles. Without doubt, as the interactions of the polymer molecule
onto the raw water particles are not frequent, the formation of flocs is lesser which resulted in an
increased sedimentation rate. On the other hand, an increased addition of polymer increases the
amount of adsorbed polymer onto the raw water particles where the formation of huge flocs,
suspended solids as well as floating particles occurs. The flocculating agent used in both
experiments are polyaluminum chloride (PAC), which is a pre-neutralized polymer with a high
charge density that functions to adsorb suspended solid particles, hence allowing particles within
[1]
reach to also adsorb to the polymer chain and form larger flocs. Just like all polymers, the
optimal dose is significant to be noted which corresponds the optimum flocculant concentration
for the total removal of total suspended solids and turbidity measurement. An overdosed region on
the other hand, indicating flocculant concentrations causing stabilization of the dispersed particles
which induces resultant forces among the particles and thus having an adverse effect on the quality
of treated water. In short, the sedimentation rates recorded from Cylinder 1 to Cylinder 5 decreases
with the increased of amount of flocculant as it overshoots the optimal dosage of PAC required at
around 5 ml.

Coagulation vs Flocculation

In wastewater treatment, both coagulation and flocculation are widely used solely because of their
function where coagulation is basically the destabilization of colloids by neutralizing the forces
and charges on particles which will result in larger particles being formed. Coagulation process
involves the addition of the coagulant (calcium carbonate) and then a rapid mixing to dissolve the
chemical and distribute it evenly throughout the water. Flocculation on the other hand is a process
of contact and adhesion whereby dispersed particles tend to form larger-size clusters. Flocculation
as a process is unique where it can occur using a coagulant, flocculant or both. Coagulants achieve
flocculation through charge neutralization whereas flocculants physically bind and agglomerate
colloidal particles together.
Conclusion

CY

Following the next experiment, the sedimentation rate obtained at low flocculant dosage is
observed to be the highest rate in comparison to the lower sedimentation rate at an increased
flocculant dosage. Theoretically, the increased dosage of polymer should result in an increased
amount of floc, suspended solids and achieve a fast sedimentation rate. Therefore, an optimum
amount of flocculant dosage will provide an overall treatment of the solution including a rapid
sedimentation rate as well an efficient formation of flocs and suspended solids to be removed in
the later stages of treatment.

Abstract

CY

Two experiments were carried out to study the effect of initial concentration of solid material,
initial suspension height and the effect of flocculating agent on the sedimentation rates. The
varying volume of flocculating agent at 5ml, 10ml, 15ml, 20ml and 25ml while fixing the same
suspension concentration displays the sedimentation rate observed in each of the cylinders. The
optimal flocculant volume is studied based on the polymer used to obtain a good treatment of the
raw material.
REFERENCES
[1] Guibai, L. and Gregory, J. (1991). Flocculation and sedimentation of high-turbidity
waters. Water Research, 25(9), pp.1137-1143.