COAGULATION/

FLOCCUATION
for WASTEWATER TREATMENT
I N DUSTRIAL WASTE & MAN AGEMENT CON T ROL
P R E PA R E D BY: M A R Y V E R M I A I Z Z A M . C O R P U Z
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
I. To understand the concept of Coagulation/Flocculation
II. To learn how it is applied for wastewater treatment
COAGULATION
❑A chemical treatment process used for clarification of water using coagulating
agents (coagulants)
❑A process of agglomerating colloidal particles, using chemicals such as
aluminum sulfate, ferrous sulfate, ferric chloride, aluminum chloride
COAGULATION

❑The positive charge of the coagulant neutralizes the negative charge of dissolved and
suspended particles in the water.
❑When this reaction occurs, the particles bind together, or coagulate (this process is
sometimes also called flocculation).
❑The larger particles, or floc, are heavy and quickly settle to the bottom of the water
supply. This settling process is called sedimentation
COAGULATION
In the water treatment facility, it is comprised of two phases:
❑rapid mixing to disperse coagulant chemicals by violent agitation into the water
being treated (rapid mixing achieves uniformity )
❑flocculation to agglomerate (join together) small particles into well-defined floc by
gentle agitation for a much longer time.
 COAGULATION
Size Range of Particles in Untreated Surface Water

Larger Particles tend to settle faster than smaller particles of We have to make the particles larger
same density with enough density for them to settle out.
COAGULATION
❑ Solid particles that have been in water a
long time normally reach a state of
electro-chemical equilibrium.

❑ The surface area of these particles, on

balance, becomes negatively charged.

❑ The particles become surrounded by a

layer of water populated by positively
charged ions held in place by the
negative charges on the particle surface.
COAGULATION
❑ We want the particles to to bond
together so that they will settle faster,
we have to do something to reduce the
impact of these positive charges.

❑ Destabilization
❑ Bridging
COAGULATION
ZETA POTENTIAL: Strength of
electrostatic charge
❑ Stronger charges create
more stable suspension of
particle in water
COAGULATION
❑ We want the particles to to bond
together so that they will settle faster,
we have to do something to reduce the
impact of these positive charges.

❑ Destabilization
❑ Bridging
COAGULATION

Bridging mechanism of flocculation

process:
A) formation of a bridge between
particles and the flocculant
B) B) aggregation of particles bound
by a long-chain polymer
EFFECT OF COAGULATION
1. REMOVAL OF NATURAL ORGANIC MATTER
2. REMOVAL OF PATHOGENS
3. REMOVAL OF INORGANICS
EFFECT OF COAGULATION
1. REMOVAL OF NATURAL ORGANIC MATTER

❑ Natural organic material (NOM): usually associated with humic substances arising from the
aqueous extraction of living woody substances, the solution of degradation products in
decaying wood and the solution of soil organic matter

❑ Reduction of organic matter by coagulation leads to reduction of turbidity

❑ Organics removal and enhanced coagulation are effective with traditional coagulants:
• aluminum sulfate
• ferric chloride and ferric sulfate
• polyaluminum chloride (PACl)
• acid alum
EFFECT OF COAGULATION
2. REMOVAL OF PATHOGENS
❑Removal of some pathogens by sweep coagulation
e.g. Cryptosporidium oocyst (with negatively charged carboxylic acid group in
surface proteins) removal with alum coagulation

Cryptosporidium oocyst remains infective after

half-an-hour of contact with 25 mg/L of free chlorine. Therefore, some
pathogens must be physically removed from the water

❑ Removal of some viruses using metal coagulants and polyelectrolytes

EFFECT OF COAGULATION
3. REMOVAL OF INORGANICS
Examples:
❑ Removal of Arsenic
❑ Removal of Fluoride
❑ Removal of Phosphorus
EFFECT OF COAGULATION
REMOVAL OF PHOSPHORUS
Chemical precipitation is used to remove the inorganic forms of phosphate by the
addition of a coagulant and a mixing of wastewater and coagulant.
The multivalent metal ions commonly used:
• calcium
• aluminum
• iron
STRATEGIES:
1.Treatment of raw/primary wastewater
2.Treatment of final effluent of biological plants (post-precipitation)
3.Treatment contemporary to the secondary biologic reaction (co-precipitation).
REMOVAL OF PHOSPHORUS
1. Calcium:
it is usually added in the form of lime Ca(OH)2. It reacts with the natural alkalinity in the
wastewater to produce calcium carbonate, which is primarily responsible for enhancing
SS removal.
Ca(HCO3)2 + Ca(OH)2 ↔ 2CaCO3 ↓+ 2H2O
As the pH value of the wastewater increases beyond about 10, excess calcium ions will
then react with the phosphate, to precipitate in hydroxylapatite:

10 Ca2+ + 6 PO43- + 2 OH- ↔ Ca10(PO4)*6(OH)2 ↓

REMOVAL OF PHOSPHORUS
1. Calcium:
▪Because the reaction is between the lime and the alkalinity of the wastewater, the
quantity required will be, in general, independent of the amount of phosphate present.
It will depend primarily on the alkalinity of the wastewater.

▪The lime dose required can be approximated at 1.5 times the alkalinity as CaCO3.
Neutralization may be required to reduce pH before subsequent treatment or disposal.
▪Re-carbonation with carbon dioxide (CO2) is used to lower the pH value.
REMOVAL OF PHOSPHORUS
2. Aluminum:
Alum or hydrated aluminium sulphate is widely used precipitating phosphates and
aluminium phosphates (AlPO4). The basic reaction is:

Al3+ + HnPO43-n ↔ AlPO4 + nH+

The dosage rate required is a function of the phosphorous removal required.

The efficiency of coagulation falls as the concentration of phosphorous decreases.
REMOVAL OF PHOSPHORUS
2. Aluminum:
▪In practice, an 80-90% removal rate is achieved at coagulant dosage rates between 50
and 200 mg/l.
▪Dosages are generally established on the basis of bench-scale tests and occasionally by
full-scale tests, especially if polymers are used.
▪Aluminum coagulants can adversely affect the microbial population in activated sludge,
especially protozoa and rotifers, at dosage rates higher than 150 mg/l.
▪However this does not affect much either BOD or TSS removal, as the clarification
function of protozoa and rotifers is largely compensated by the enhanced removal of SS
by chemical precipitation.
REMOVAL OF PHOSPHORUS
3. Iron:
Ferric chloride or sulphate and ferrous sulphate also know as copperas, are all widely
used for phosphorous removal, although the actual reactions are not fully understood.
The basic reaction is:
Fe3+ + HnPO43-n ↔ FePO4 + nH+
Ferric ions combine to form ferric phosphate. They react slowly with the natural
alkalinity and so a coagulant aid, such as lime, is normally add to raise the pH in order to
enhance the coagulation.
FACTORS AFFECTING COAGULATION
1. pH
2. Temperature
3. Dosage
4. Time
5. Agitation
COAGULANTS
1. INORGANIC COAGULANTS
2. ORGANIC COAGULANTS
 COAGULANTS
1. INORGANIC COAGULANTS
a. Aluminum Sulfate (Alum) – One of the most commonly used water treatment chemicals in
the world. Alum is manufactured as a liquid, from which the crystalline form is dehydrated.
b. Aluminum Chloride – A second choice to Alum as it is more expensive, hazardous and
corrosive.
c. Polyaluminum Chloride (PAC) & Aluminum Chlorohydrate (ACH)
d. Ferric Sulfate & Ferrous Sulfate – Ferric sulfate is the more commonly used, but ferrous
sulfate is typically used in applications where a reducing agent or excess soluble iron ions are
required.
e. Ferric Chloride – The least expensive inorganic coagulant, as it is generated as a waste
material from steel making operations. (corrosive and hazardous)
COAGULANTS
2. ORGANIC COAGULANTS
❑Generally used for solid & liquid separation and sludge generation
a. PolyAMINEs and PolyDADMACs – The most widely used organic coagulants, which are
cationic in nature and function by charge neutralization alone. Cationic coagulants neutralise
the negative charge of colloids and form a spongy mass called microflocs.
b. Melamine Formaldehydes and Tannins – These coagulate the colloidal material in the water,
and absorb organic materials such as oil and grease
❑Advantages: lower dosage, lower volume of sludge produced and no effect on the pH.
JAR TEST
❑ Test used to determine
optimum coagulant dose and
other conditions for water
treatment
❑Device: consists of stirrers
with paddles (may be rotated
at varying speeds)
❑Parameters: chemical dosage,
pH, temperature, turbidity,
mixing conditions etc.
JAR TEST APPARATUS
1. MULTIPLE STIRRER
❑A multi-position stirrer with
continuous speed variation from about
20 to 150 rpm should be used.
❑The stirring paddles should be of light
gage corrosion-resistant material, all of
the same configuration and size.
❑An illuminated base is useful to
observe the floc formation
❑PRECAUTION: Avoid heat being
imparted by the illumination system
which may counteract normal settling
JAR TEST APPARATUS
2. JARS
❑All of the same size and shape; 1500-mL Griffin beakers may be used (1000-mL
recommended minimum size).
JAR TEST APPARATUS
3. REAGENT RACKS
❑A means of introducing each test solution to all jars simultaneously. There
should be at least one rack for each test solution or suspension
JAR TEST CHEMICALS
PRIMARY COAGULANTS
❑Alum[Al2(SO4)3·18H2O]
❑Ferric sulfate [Fe2(SO4)3·xH2O]
❑Ferric chloride (FeCl3·6H2O)
❑Ferrous sulfate (FeSO4·7H2O)
❑Magnesium carbonate (MgCO3·3H2O)
❑Sodium aluminate (NaAlO2)
JAR TEST CHEMICALS
COAGULANT AIDS
❑Activated silica
❑Anionic (polyelectrolyte)
❑Cationic (polyelectrolyte)
❑Nonionic Polymer
PROCEDURE
1. Measure equal volumes (1000 mL) of sample into each of the jars or 1500-mL
Griffin beakers. As many sample portions may be used as there are positions on
the multiple stirrer.
2. Locate beakers so that the paddles are off-center, but clear the beaker wall by
about 6.4 mm (1⁄4 in.).
3. Record the sample temperature at the start of the test.
4. Load the test chemicals in the reagent racks. Use one rack for each series of
chemical additions. Make up each tube in the rack to a final volume of 10 mL,
with water, before using.
PROCEDURE
5. Start the multiple stirrer operating at the “flash mix” speed of approximately
120 rpm.
6. Add the test solution or suspensions, at predetermined dosage levels and
sequence. Flash mix for approximately 1 min after the additions of chemicals.
Record the flash mix time and speed (rpm).
7. Reduce the speed as necessary to the minimum required to keep floc particles
uniformly suspended throughout the “slow mix” period. Slow mix for 20 min.
8. Record the time for the first visible floc formation
PROCEDURE
9. Every 5 min (during the slow mix period), record relative floc size and mixer
speed (rpm).
10. After the slow mix period, withdraw the paddles and observe settling of floc
particles.
11. Record the time required for the bulk of the particles to settle.
▪ In most cases this time will be that required for the particles to settle to the bottom of the
beaker
▪ In some cases, due to interfering convection currents, recorded settling time should be that
at which the unsettled or residual particles appear to be moving equally upward and
downward
PROCEDURE
12. After 15 min of settling, record the appearance of floc on the beaker bottom.
13. Record the sample temperature.
14. By means of a pipet or siphon, withdraw an adequate sample volume of
supernatant liquor from the jar at a point one half of the depth of the sample, to
conduct color, turbidity, pH and other required analyses.
NOTE: Tests for residual chemicals should be included, for example, residual
Al2O3; residual Fe2O3 etc.

REPRODUCIBILITY: Duplicate sets of 3 jars each are treated simultaneously with

the same chemical dosages in jars 1 and 4, 2 and 5, and 3 and 6.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pXKEsgHIjQ
JAR TEST
DATA
SAMPLE STUDY
❑Determination and Comparison of Performances of Different Coagulants
REFERENCES
1. ASTM D2035 − 13. Standard Practice for Coagulation-Flocculation Jar Test of Water
2. https://www.safewater.org/fact-sheets-1/2017/1/23/conventional-water-treatment
3. https://www.iwapublishing.com/news/coagulation-and-flocculation-water-and-wastewater-
treatment