Optimizing Coagulation with

Streaming Current

2016 Plant Operations Conference

Presented by the VA AWWA Plant Operations Committee
 Outline

• Coagulation Background
• Benefits of SCMs
• Theory of Operation
• System Components
• Modern SCM usage
• SCM in Process Control
• Site Selection and Setup
• Common Sources of Consternation
• Maintenance
• Summary
 Coagulation Background

• Chemical Pretreatment is typically applied to

sedimentation and filtration to enhance the
ability to remove particles
• Coagulation – neutralize charges, form a
gelatinous mass to trap or bridge particles
• Flocculation –gentle stirring or agitation to
encourage the particles to agglomerate
Colloidal Material Take Tekapo
Adapted from Water Quality and
Treatment, 3rd Edition
 Coagulation Background

• Colloidal Material
– Large surface area relative to mass
– Static surface charge, typically Negative
• Cannot settle
– They repel one another
– Expulsion force exceeds gravitational force
– They attract charges surrounding the colloid,
keeping them apart with a “double-layer” cloud
 Coagulation Background

Most naturally occurring

particles in surface water are
negatively charged clays.
These like charges repel
each other and don’t
agglomerate and settle out.
If this charge is
neutralized, the particles
can bind together to settle
out of suspension
 Coagulation Background

• Purpose of Coagulation is to neutralize the

charge causing this effect
• Positive charged cations are used as coagulants
• Multivalent Fe and Al are commonly used
• Polyaluminunum Chloride (PACl) less alk. needed
 A word about pH

Particle Counts
• Coagulants consume
alkalinity lowering pH
• pH Control is important
for proper coagulant
operation
• A= operation at pH 7.8
• B= lowered to pH 7.2
• Stabile pH control is
important for SCM
 Coagulation Background

• How do we know the right amount of coagulant

to add?
 Coagulant Background

• How do we know the right amount of coagulant

to add?
 Coagulation Background

• How do we know the right amount of coagulant

to add?

• What if I had a way to measure the effectiveness

of our coagulant addition continuously?

• Streaming Current Monitoring can be that tool

 Benefits of SCMs: An optimization tool
• Reduced coagulant chemical usage
• Consistent, high quality finished water
• Longer filter runs
• Less sludge
• Rapid response to raw water changes
o Automatic dosing adjustments
• Improved operator awareness
• Early detection of coagulant feed or pH
adjustment failure
 The Double Layer Model
• The Stern Layer ions are tightly
bound to the particle.
• A dynamic equilibrium of negative
and positive ions forms outside the
Stern layer, known as the Diffuse
Layer.
• The zeta potential is measured
outside the Stern layer where shear
occurs.
• The zeta potential can be measured
using a microscope to observe
particles in an electrophoresis cell.
• Changes in ion concentration, such
as pH changes, affect zeta
potential.
 Zeta Potential Test

• Electrophoresis principle
• Small amount of solution
• Placed between two opposite polarity electrodes
• Apply a voltage
• Measure movement speed toward the poles
• Speed is related to the
strength of the potential
Zeta-Meter, Inc.
 Streaming Current
• SC is based on the principle that
surfaces quickly take on the
charge characteristics of the
colloidal particles that flow past.

• Water flowing rapidly up and

down through the annulus results
in displacement of the counter-
ions. A current flows through the
electrodes to remove the charge
separation.

• Jar testing or Zeta Potential

determines approximate or
optimum coagulant dosing. SCM
tracks changes to this value.
Streaming Current
Typical Parameters
• Small Gap size of
200-500 µm
• Piston reciprocates at
3-5 times / second
• Small signal produced
is 0.05µA to 5µA
Components of a Streaming Current Monitor

Displays
Keypad

Motor and Drive

(inside)

Sample Chamber,
contains piston
Sensor
Components of a Streaming Current Monitor
Displays
Keypad

Motor and Drive

Sample Chamber,
contains piston

Sensor
Typical Water Treatment Process
 Modern SCM Use
• Feedback control of coagulant dosage
• The SC set-point is determined by jar tests

Mixer Flocculate
Clarifier
Filtration
Coagulant feed

Disinfection

Chemical Pump Controller

So, how do I use this in process control?

• What number is the right number?

• How do I calibrate it?
• Can it be used for enhanced coagulation?
Relationship between SC and
settled water turbidity
Relationship between SC and
settled water turbidity
 What Causes Values to move positive?

• Increase in coagulant (alum, iron, PACl)

• Decrease in pH
• Decrease in raw water flow
• Decrease in raw turbidity
• Decrease in color value
 What Causes Values to move negative?

• Decrease in coagulant (alum, iron, PACl)

• Increase in pH
• Increase in raw water flow
• Increase in raw turbidity
• Increase in color value
 So what’s the right number?
How do I calibrate?
• Zero the unit when treatment is optimized
• Periodically test and adjust (or offset) as jar
testing and process dictates
• Raw water calibration of span reading if desired
Jar Testing is Still Key

• You will still need to

effectively jar test
• Whenever significant
changes occur in raw
water quality
• Set pump speed for
optimal dosage
• Wait, Check process
• Set SCM to “0” at this
point
Jar Testing
 Site Selection
• Select a representative
Sample in Sample out
sample site
– Ideally 30s after flash
mix (well mixed)
• Protect from the
environment
– Sun/weather shade or
protection, ventilated
• Provide the proper,
steady sample flow rate
 Proper Set Up
• Walk away for a while
– at least 30 minutes
• Ask yourself: Is the
process in control
today?
• If so, note the button
labeled Set Zero
• If you like the way the
process is running,
press and hold Set
Zero for about 3
seconds.
Offset from Zero Point
(Drives output)

Live actual (raw)

streaming current
value or PID indicator
 Proper Set Up

• PID Tuning
– Record Initial SCV reading
– Change Coagulant 20% up or down
– Record time to see first change
– Record time until reading stabilizes
– Record Final SCV reading
– Repeat process in reverse
– Follow formulas in the manuals
Detection of Coagulant Feed Failure
Can I use this for enhanced coagulation?
City of Houston DBP/TOC Study
 Common Sources of Consternation
• No or poor pH control
• Worn parts
– Causes drift and inconsistent measurement
• Poor sample point
– Incomplete mixing
– Easily blocked sample lines
– Too far from the flash mix
• Controller tuned incorrectly
– May cycle, esp. at lower flow rates
– Slow to respond
• Lack of understanding, such as expecting miracles
 Typical Maintenance Summary
Item Frequency ~ Time
Required
Clean strainer, cell and piston Monthly or less (based on 10 min.
experience)
Replace connecting rod end Yearly 5 min.

Replace piston 2 years 10 min.

Replace sensor 5-7 years 5 min.

Replace linear bearings 5-7 years 30 min.

 Routine Maintenance: Cleaning
• Contamination of the sensor and
piston surfaces will result in slower
response and drift.
• Clean with a soft brush wetted with
sample water. A toothbrush is ideal.
• Do not touch any wetted surfaces
with bare hands - any oily residue
may affect the reading for up to 30
minutes.
• The reading may be unstable
immediately after cleaning, this will
normally stabilize within 5 minutes.
Monthly cleaning is a good starting point for most plants
when using the grit filter and auto-flush (DW applications)

Does not need cleaning, but shows

signs of wear
Needs cleaning
 Symptoms of Worn Parts

• Zero point drifts away from where it is set

• Large offset but poor sensitivity to changes
• Vertical scoring on piston or sensor
• Significant staining of the piston
• Looseness of the piston

• Maintenance and service is key to good

operation
 Summary

• A Streaming Current Monitor (SCM) measures

the surface charge of suspended particles
• A SCM will be beneficial in optimizing the control
of coagulant dosing
• It needs to be installed in the correct location
and set up correctly to be useful
• It does need, at least, a little maintenance to
continue to be useful
 Questions?

• References
– Photographs, diagrams, manuals, data sheets and application
papers sourced from
www.accufloc.com
www.chemscan.com
www.hach.com
www.zeta-meter.com

• Thank you to Terry Engelhardt, Hach Company

• For more information contact:

– Chris Griffin cgriffin@hach.com
 Lab Charge Analyzer with Autotitration

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdVVoIOWFU
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