Chap 1.5 Kinetics

Section 1.
5
Kinetics of Coagulation and Flocculation
清华大学环境学院
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
Physicochemical Technology
Collision of particles
Coagulation and flocculation
Particle collision velocity
Based on the power source, particle collision can be divided into:
Perikinetic flocculation
Caused by Brownian Motion, mostly occurs in coagulation stage.
Orthokinetic flocculation
Caused by turbulence, plays an important role in coagulation and flocculation. The
turbulent flow can be generated from hydraulic power or mechanical stirring.
1. Perikinetic flocculation
Assume particles are uniform balls, according to Fick’s Law, particle
collision velocity is calculated as:
Np＝8πdDBn2
Np, collision velocity of particles in Perikinetic flocculation per volume, 1/(m3·s);
d, particle diameter, m;
DB, Brownian Motion diffusion coefficient ( = Kt/(3πdν ρ)), m2/s;
n, particles’ quantity concentration, 1/m3；
ν, kinematic viscosity coefficient; m2/s;
t, thermodynamic temperature of water, K;
K, Boltzmann’s constant, 1.38×10-23 kg m2/(s2·K);
ρ, density of water, kg/m3.
1. Perikinetic flocculation
After sustituting Brownian Motion diffusion coefficient, particles’ collision
velocity can be calculated as:
Np=8/(3νρ) Ktn2
• Only correlated with temperature of water and square of particles quantity
concentration, unrelated to particles size;
• Brownian Motion is significant only if particles are very small;
• Brownian Motion almost disappears if particle size is more than 1 µm;
• Perikinetic flocculation is effective only when destabilized colloids are small;
• Fluid turbulence (i.e. orthokinetic flocculation) is required for the collision and
flocculation of larger particles.
2. Orthokinetic flocculation
Assume only two kinds of particles with size of d1 and d2 exist in water, with
initial concentration n1 and n2, respectively.
d1 u u d1 u+du u+du
dy dy
d2 u u d2 u u
(a) du=0 (b) du≠0

Distance between two particle centers should be less than the sum of their radius.
2. Orthokinetic flocculation
According to Gamble and Stein, collision velocity of the two particles is:
1
= N0 n1n2 (d1 + d 2 )3 G
6
Assuming d1 = d2:
4 2 3
N0 = n d G
3
G is the velocity gradient, i.e. the speed difference between adjacent
water layers over their distance :
du
G=
dy
3. Calculation of velocity gradient
According to the Newton inner friction law, shear stress produced by
velocity gradient between adjacent water layer:
du
=τ µ= µG
τ dxdz dy
dz u+du Internal friction in upper interface: τ dxdz
The work by shear stress per unit time:
dy
P = τdxdzdu = µG2dxdydz
u
Consumed power per unit volume of water is:
dx p＝τG
p
Gamble Formula（1943） G =
µ
清华大学环境学院 µ: Dynamic viscosity coefficient, Pa·s
Assume that the effective volume of mixer is V:
P
G=
µV
P, consumed power of water in mixer, W;
G, mean velocity gradient in mixer, 1/s;
V, effective volume of mixer, m3.
P is provided by mechanical stirrer when mechanical stirring is used.

When hydraulic stirring is used, P is provided by energy of water itself.
P ρ gQh ρ gh gh
=G = = = (Gamble Formula)
µV µQT µT νT
Q, Flow of the coagulate facility, m3/s;
ρ, density of water, kg/m3;
g, the acceleration of gravity, 9.8m/s2;
h, water head loss in mixer, m;
V, effective volume of mixer, m3;
T, hydraulic retention time in mixer, s;
ν, kinematic viscosity coefficient of water, = µ/ρ , m2/s.
4. Control indices of coagulation and flocculation
Coagulation process
From dosing coagulant into the water and well mixed, to forming large flocs.
Coagulation facility
• Mixer
• Flocculator
1) Mixing stage
Particles in the water is very fine, and perikinetic flocculation exists.
• Stirring the water vigorously, to let the coagulant disperse, hydrolyze and
polymerize rapidly, so that colloids destabilize soon.
• Duration within 10 ~ 30 s, usually less than 2 min.
• Stirring intensity (shown as velocity gradient), usually G = 500 ~ 1000 s-1.
2) Flocculation stage
Destabilized colloid forms large floc by collision; orthokinetic flocculation domains
• Flocculation power is provided by mechanical or hydraulic stirring;
• Performance of orthokinetic flocculation correlate with G and T. Usually G and GT
are used as control indices;
• During flocculation, G should decrease with flocs growing larger;
• Stirring intensity should decrease gradually, when mechanical stirring is used;
• Flow velocity should decrease gradually, when hydraulic flocculation tank is used.;
• During flocculation, average G = 20 ~ 70 s-1, average GT = 104 ~ 105;
• Considering the particle concentration, C, GTC index is proposed.

Chap 1.5 Kinetics

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Chap 1.5 Kinetics

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Section 1.

Coagulation and flocculation

Particle collision velocity

(a) du=0 (b) du≠0

P is provided by mechanical stirrer when mechanical stirring is used.

Particles in the water is very fine, and perikinetic flocculation exists.

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