FLOCCULATION

Under soap making industries, the waste water mainly comprises of carbonates
and phosphates. These make the water hard and dense. One method of reducing water
hardness and removing large minerals present in water is by coagulation. Working
together, in conjunction with coagulation, is a process known as flocculation.
Suspended minerals in the waste water brought together by coagulation form flocs. The
formation or clumping together of minerals to form flocs is called flocculation. As the
flocs continue to become bigger and gain mass, they are then settled by gravity. As a
result, water hardness and turbidity is reduced. This also reduces the tendency of water
to foam.
The equipment used to facilitate and enhance flocculation is called a flocculation
tank. Flocculation tanks have impellers turning at a slow speed. Impellers provide slow
mixing in the tank to bring about small particles together in order to form flocs. Impellers
used in flocculation are slow so as to not break up already formed flocs. Also their
geometry is shaped to provide gentle patterns when mixing. In soap waste water
treatment, flocculation tanks help settle the minerals in order to prevent formation of
scum in the succeeding processes.