Coagulation and

Flocculation

Prof. Yessica Castro, Ph.D.

Universidad APEC
Coagulation and Flocculation

1. Need of the processes 7. Equipment

2. Definition 8. Kinetics

3. Applications 9. Factors affecting performance

4. Mechanisms

5. Process

6. Coagulants
Need of coagulation and flocculation
Need of coagulation and flocculation

REMOVAL OF THESE IMPURITIES

Definition of Coagulation and Flocculation
Aggregation of colloidal and fine suspended particles by dosing coagulant
into water, to form separable flocs that can be removed in the subsequent
process (e.g. sedimentation).
• Removal objectives: Colloids, fine suspended particles
• Reagent: coagulant (e.g. aluminum sulfate, ferric sulfate, ferric chloride).
• Product: Flocs
• Following unit: solid-liquid separation processes
Applications of coagulation and flocculation
1. Water Purification
Source : Uncontaminated Surface Waters

Coagulation
Raw water and Sedimentation Filtration Disinfection Potable water
flocculation

• Removal of turbidity and bacteria

• Final turbidity < 10 NTU
Applications of coagulation and flocculation
2. Wastewater treatment
2.1 Advance treatment of domestic wastewater
Coagulation and
Secondary effluent Sedimentation Filtration
flocculation

2.2 Pretreatment of industrial wastewater (printing, dyeing, etc)

Coagulation and Sedimentation / Air
Raw wastewater Biological Treatment
flocculation floatation
Mechanisms of coagulation and flocculation

Coagulation : Destabilization of colloid

Flocculation: Aggregation of destabilized colloid

In practice, coagulation and flocculation contain multiple

mechanisms. However, the mechanisms most studied are
compression of electric double layer, adsorption and charge
neutralization, adsorption and bridging, and sweeping.
Mechanisms of coagulation and flocculation

1. Compression of
electric double layer
The addition of
electrolytes decreases
the stability of the
colloids.

Distance x
Mechanisms of coagulation and flocculation

2. Adsorption and charge neutralization

Process by which the surface of colloid nucleus directly adsorb oppositely charge polymeric ions,
colloidal particles or functional groups of a chain-like polymer. When coagulant is overdosed, the
colloid nucleus would be changed.
Mechanisms of coagulation and flocculation

Colloid
protection

3. Adsorption and bridging

Polymers and colloidal particles, or two big colloidal particles with the same charge are bridged by
small colloid with opposite charge. Partial wrapped colloid surface leads to effective adsorption
and bridging, while completely wrapped colloids (i.e. colloid protection) prevents flocculation.
Mechanisms of coagulation and flocculation
4. Sweeping

This mechanism is related to metal coagulants (Al and Fe). It takes place when

we add higher concentration of these two metal compounds than the optimum

dose to the water to be treated, resulting on a cloud of metal hydroxide that

settles down sweeping the colloids downward.

Mechanisms
of coagulation
and
flocculation
Mechanisms of coagulation and flocculation
The mechanism and performance
of coagulation depends on the
physicochemical properties of the
coagulant, as well as the water
quality (e.g. turbidity, pH, alkalinity,
and impurity).
Mechanisms of coagulation and flocculation

The mechanisms of coagulation and flocculation using

aluminum sulfate varies depending on the water pH.

1. Compression of electric double layer (pH <3)

2. Adsorption and charge neutralization (pH = 4.5 ~ 6.0)

3. Adsorption and bridging, and sweeping. (pH = 7.0 – 7.5)

Mechanisms of coagulation and flocculation
What are the dominant mechanisms on the coagulation and
flocculation of natural water (pH= 6.5 ~ 7.8) when using
aluminum sulfate (alum) as the coagulant?

1. Compression of electric double layer (pH <3)

2. Adsorption and charge neutralization (pH = 4.5 ~ 6.0)

3. Adsorption and bridging, and sweeping. (pH = 7.0 – 7.5)

Coagulation and Flocculation Process
COAGULATION

Hydrated ions or multivalent ions from the addition of coagulants in water lead to one of
these:
- Compress electric double layer, or
- Adsorption and charge neutralization
Resulting in small flocs with size of 10 µm.

Features
• Dispersion of the coagulant through rapid vigorous stirring is required
• Achieved in mixers.
Coagulation and Flocculation Process
FLOCCULATION

Adsorption and bridging of polymers leads to:

Formation of large flocs with size of 0.6 ~ 1.2 mm that can be removed by
sedimentation.

Features
• Requires time for floc growth
• Stirring speed should be reduced to low.
• Achieved in flocculators.
Coagulants
Coagulants
Coagulants
Coagulants
Coagulation Equipment

- Mixing tank
(mechanic mixing)
- Flocculator
(hydraulic tank)
Coagulation Equipment
MECHANICAL MIXING
Coagulation Equipment

HYDRAULIC
MIXING

Influent
Coagulation and Flocculation Kinetics
The collision of particles is essential for coagulation and flocculation, and the
collision velocity directly affect the coagulation rate.

Based on the power source, the particle collision can be divided into:
Coagulation and Flocculation Kinetics
Velocity Gradient
Coagulation and Flocculation Kinetics
Velocity Gradient
Coagulation and Flocculation Kinetics
1. Mixing stage

Particles in the water are very fine, and Perikinetic flocculation exists
Coagulation and Flocculation Kinetics
2. Flocculation stage

Destabilized colloids form large flocs by collision, and orthokinetic

flocculation domains
Factors affecting coagulation and flocculation
performance
Factors affecting coagulation and flocculation
performance
1. TEMPERATURE
Factors affecting coagulation and flocculation
performance
2. PH AND ALKALINITY
Factors affecting coagulation and flocculation
performance
3. WATER PROPERTIES AND IMPURITIES CONCENTRATION
CONCLUSIONS
• Coagulation and flocculation removes colloids and suspended particles smaller than 100 µm from
the water.

• The main mechanisms of coagulation and flocculation are charge neutralization, bridging, and
sweeping.

• There are inorganic (e.g. alum) and organic coagulants.

• The main mixing mode for coagulation is mechanical rapid mixing, and hydraulic slow mixing for
flocculation.

• Some factors affecting coagulation and flocculation performance are water temperature, pH,
alkalinity, properties and impurity content.