Coagulation without polymer

Discussion
1. Particles remain in a colloidal suspension due to their small size and negative
electrical charge. Therefore positively charged chemicals such as alum are
added to destabilize them to allow
them to attract to each other and
form flocs.
2. Zeta potential refers to the electrostatic potential generated by the
accumulation of ions at the surface of the colloidal particle. The amount of
coagulant which should be added to the water will depend on the zeta
potential , a measurement of the magnitude of electrical charge surrounding
the colloidal particles. If the zeta potential is large, then more coagulants will
be needed for flocs formation.

Coagulation with polymer

Discussion

1. Polymers are effective over a wider pH range than inorganic coagulants.

They can be applied at lower doses, and they do not consume alkalinity.
They produce smaller volumes of more
concentrated, rapidly settling floc. The floc formed from use of a properly
selected polymer will be more resistant to shear, resulting in less
carryover and a cleaner effluent.
2. Therefore the formation of floc with the presence of polymer is much more
rapid than without polymer and the presence of polymer produces a
clearer effluent at the end.