CLEAN WATER

FOR ALL
Chemical reactions play a crucial role in various real-life applications, impacting both life and the
environment. One such application is the use of chemical reactions in industrial water treatment,
which helps maintain water quality and protects the environment from harmful pollutants.

Industrial processes generate large volumes of

wastewater containing pollutants harmful to the
environment and human health.
- Effective water treatment involves chemical reactions
that convert pollutants into less harmful substances.

Coagulation: involves the addition of a chemical

TYPE OF CHEMICAL REACTION: coagulant to destabilize the colloidal particles
COAGULATION AND and bring them together to form larger particles,
FLOCCULATION which are easier to remove.
Flocculation: After coagulation, the water is
subjected to gentle stirring or mixing to promote
the formation of floc, which are larger and denser
particles formed by the coagulated colloidal
particles. Flocculation helps in agglomerating the
coagulated particles for easier separation.
The flocculation process is not represented by a
specific chemical equation since it involves the
physical agglomeration of particles rather than a
chemical reaction.

Chemical equation: Coagulant + Suspended particles → Coagulated particles

Example equation: Aluminum sulfate (Al2(SO4)3) + Suspended particles →
Al(OH)3(s) + SO4^2-(aq)
Balanced equation: 2Al2(SO4)3 + 6H2O + 3CaCO3 → 2Al(OH)3 + 3CaSO4 + 3CO2

Chemical equation: Flocculant + Coagulated particles → Flocs

Example equation: Polyelectrolyte + Al(OH)3(s) → Flocs
Balanced equation: C3H5NO + Al(OH)3 → (C3H5NO-Al(OH)3)n

The chemical reactions used in industrial water treatment

contribute to achieving the goal of providing clean and safe water,
ensuring sustainable management of water resources, and
protecting aquatic ecosystems.

ARANILLA, MIEL RAPHAEL S.

G10-06
References:
1. Schijndel, J. V., Vreeburg, J. H., & Kennedy, M. D. (2012). Design for sustainable water supply: Balancing supply and demand for the water cycle.
Water Science and Technology: Water Supply, 12(6), 846-853.
2. Kruithof, J. C., Schippers, J. C., Schaap, J. D., Van Dijk, J. C., & Vreeburg, J. H. (2008). Operational experiences with MIEX®DOC, a new technology
for removal of dissolved organic carbon from drinking water. Water Science and Technology: Water Supply, 8(6), 571-578.