In situ analysis of flocs

Abstract

Research Article| February 01 2007 In situ analysis of flocs Rajat K. Chakraborti; Rajat K. Chakraborti 1CH2M HILL, Inc., 325 Hillcrest Drive, Suite 125Thousand Oaks, CA 93063, USA Tel: +1 (805) 371 7822 Fax: +1 (805) 371 7818; E-mail: rajat.chakraborti@ch2m.com Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Kevin H. Gardner; Kevin H. Gardner 2Environmental Research Group, Department of Civil Engineering, University of New Hampshire, 336 Gregg Hall, Durham, NH 03824, USA Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Jagjit Kaur; Jagjit Kaur 3CH2M HILL, Inc., 1000 Willshire Blvd, 21st floorLos Angeles, CA 90017, USA Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Joseph F. Atkinson Joseph F. Atkinson 4Great Lakes Program, Department of Civil, Structural, and Environmental Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, 207 Jarvis HallBuffalo, NY 14260, USA Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua (2007) 56 (1): 1–11. https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2007.063 Article history Received: March 15 2006 Accepted: August 02 2006 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Cite Icon Cite Permissions Search Site Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentAll JournalsThis Journal Search Advanced Search Citation Rajat K. Chakraborti, Kevin H. Gardner, Jagjit Kaur, Joseph F. Atkinson; In situ analysis of flocs. Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua 1 February 2007; 56 (1): 1–11. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2007.063 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex The physical properties of suspended particles and the relationship between particle size and structure were investigated. In situ properties of the aggregates in a coagulation–flocculation process were obtained using a non-intrusive image analysis technique. Derived properties, including density, porosity and the number of primary particles in a floc, were estimated from aggregate structure using a fractal approach, which better represents the distribution of mass in an aggregate, compared with a conventional Euclidean approach which considers uniform mass distribution in an assumed spherical shape. A spherical particle assumption overlooks the highly porous nature of real aggregates and underestimates volume, which subsequently influences coagulation and settling estimates in solid–liquid separation processes. The present results illustrate a strong inverse relationship between the fractal dimension and aggregate length, consistent with the idea that larger aggregates in general are more porous. In addition, correlations between the solids content, floc density and the number of primary particles that constitute a floc of a given size were established. It is suggested that the aggregation process produces flocs of constantly changing morphology and related physical properties. Overall, these findings can provide additional information for understanding and modeling suspended particle characteristics. aggregate structure, density, floc properties, fractal geometry, number of particles, porosity This content is only available as a PDF. © IWA Publishing 2007 You do not currently have access to this content.