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19.07.2016

Chemical Coagulants Used In Water

Treatment
Coagulation and flocculation have been used to clarify water since ancient times – as early as
2000BC, when the Egyptians used almonds to clarify river water. There is also evidence to suggest
that the Romans were using alum as a coagulant at around 77AD.

Today, coagulation and flocculation are still essential components of treatment processes, e.g. for reducing
water turbidity. Wastewater treatment operations also require coagulation, e.g. for chemical phosphorus
removal and for reducing suspended solids.

Organic Coagulants VS Inorganic Coagulants

Chemical coagulants used in wastewater treatment fall into two main families: organic and inorganic.

Organic coagulants are generally used for solid & liquid separation and sludge generation. Organic
formulations are based on the following chemistries:

PolyAMINEs and PolyDADMACs – The most widely used organic coagulants, which are cationic in
nature and function by charge neutralization alone. Cationic coagulants neutralise the negative charge of
colloids and form a spongy mass called microflocs.
Melamine Formaldehydes and Tannins – These coagulate the colloidal material in the water, and absorb
organic materials such as oil and grease.

The main advantages of organic coagulants include; lower dosage, lower volume of sludge produced and
no effect on the pH.
Inorganic coagulants are both cost-effective and applicable for a broad variety of water and wastewater.
Inorganic coagulants are particularly effective on raw water with low turbidity and will often treat this type
of water when organic coagulants cannot.

Once added to water, the inorganic coagulants form aluminium or iron precipitates. These absorb
impurities in the water as they fall, serving to clean the water. This process is known as the ‘sweep-floc’
mechanism. However, a downside of metal hydroxide precipitate sweep-floc is that they add to the overall
sludge volume that must be treated and removed.

Examples of inorganic coagulants are as below:

Aluminum Sulfate (Alum) – One of the most commonly used water treatment chemicals in the world.
Alum is manufactured as a liquid, from which the crystalline form is dehydrated.
Aluminum Chloride – A second choice to Alum as it is more expensive, hazardous and corrosive.
Polyaluminum Chloride (PAC) & Aluminum Chlorohydrate (ACH)
Ferric Sulfate & Ferrous Sulfate – Ferric sulfate is the more commonly used, but ferrous sulfate is
typically used in applications where a reducing agent or excess soluble iron ions are required. Iron
coagulants work similarly to aluminum coagulants but the cost may vary based on the local source of
supply.
Ferric Chloride – The least expensive inorganic coagulant, as it is generated as a waste material from
steel making operations. However, it’s by far the most corrosive and hazardous inorganic coagulant, and
its use is limited to facilities equipped to handle it safely.

Blends of organic and inorganic coagulants

FLOQUAT R100 – This blend brings the advantages of both the organic and the inorganic coagulants

SNF supply a range of Flocculants and Coagulants. For more information or advice, please get in touch.