Flocculation, also called coagulation, is one of the main steps in water treatment, in which chemical coagulants are added to form flocs that carry the dirt and make its removal possible.
It is one of the first processes that water drawn from rivers and reservoirs goes through to become fit for consumption.
When water is drawn from these sources, it looks muddy because, unlike water pumped from wells, these sources are not naturally filtered, so the water has to go through a clarification process, which is where flocculation comes in.
So how does this process work?
In Brazil, the most widely used coagulant for flocculation is aluminum sulfate. It is added to the water together with calcium oxide, and when these two substances mix, a chemical reaction produces a gelatinous substance called aluminum hydroxide.
Aluminum hydroxide carries a positive charge, which allows it to neutralize the negatively charged impurities in the water. The dirt particles then stick to the aluminum hydroxide and form solid flocs, completing the flocculation process.
After that, the water is ready for the next stage of treatment, called sedimentation.
For more information about our products, contact us.
📞 (11) 3931-1722/ 2366-6260/ 3931-7628 📱 (11) 9.9108-2229/ 9.4541-0088 📍 Rua Alagoas, 30 Recanto Silvestre (Fazendinha) - Santana de Parnaíba SP
Source: Mundo Educação