Water Treatment using Flocculation: Theory and Practice
When operating water and effluent treatment plants using flocculation, it is often argued that this is "more an art than a science". It is certainly true that flocculation plants are extremely difficult to predict and model. However, a little knowledge goes a long way. This website is therefore dedicated to explaining the theory of coagulation and flocculation and then connecting the theory with the practice, allowing practitioners to fully optimise their plants while keeping costs to a minimum.
Coagulation and Flocculation
The Focus is on giving practical assistance to practitioners
This website is dedicated to helping practitioners, not to be a scientific paper. We will try and tell the story of flocculation in a manner that can be understood by all and then slowly delve more into the complexities. It starts here with Coagulation: The Basics
Figure 1: Flocculation
Flotation and Settling
When to use what?
We will then move on and examine the theory of Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) and Sedimentation or Settling. We will discover that the theory of hindred settling does not tell us much but in contrast flotation theory is extremely interesting.
Filtration
Interstitial Bridging?
In the section about Filtration, we will examine the interaction between particulate and the filter medium. Here we will also discuss the efficiency of Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filter beds and Manganese removal by Chlorination followed by a second sand filter stage.
Desinfection
THM formation: The reason why we go through all the trouble of flocculation in the first place
In the section about disinfection we will discuss primary and secondary desinfection. We will talk about chlorination versus chloramination and compare all the different methods of disinfection
Analysis
Analysis of a range of parameters gives us confidence in the quality of the water produced and allows control of the process
In the section about analysis we will discuss how, where, why and how often to analyse a parameter. Some like pH give us control of the process, others like final colour and turbidity provide quality control.
Flocculation Pages to-date
I am trying to add at least one page a week: