Polymer-bridging flocculation performance using turbulent pipe flow

Abstract

Hydraulic flocculation has attracted the attention of many researchers and designers due to its potential applications, simple design, small foot print and reduced electrical/mechanical energy consumption. Flocculation studies were conducted with two types of equipment, namely the Flocs Generator Reactor (FGR) and the Flocculation–Flotation (FF), comparing both aggregation devices. FGR is a compact system whereby the flocculation of particles occurs through a helical reactor and FF has a serpentine design. Both devices have plug flow regimes with suitable hydrodynamics to disperse the polymer and also to generate flocs, enabling solid/liquid separation. This work summarizes recent results on hydraulic flocculation as a function of particle type and concentration (colloidal Fe(OH)3 and coal particles as suspension models), polymer type and dosage. The FF and the FGR were evaluated individually and with the FF placed ahead of the FGR. The effectiveness of the process was measured by indirect performance criteria such as solid/liquid separation. Best efficiency for the Fe(OH)3 flocs generation was obtained using the FGR, reaching settling rates of 22mh−1. Best results for coal dispersions were obtained with the FF ahead to the FGR, reaching settling rates of 30mh−1. In all cases, flocculation degrees were higher than 98% and showed that efficiency is largely dependent on flocs characteristics (size, mass density and water contents). These data show a high performance of polymer-bridging flocculation efficiency for both hydraulic flocculation devices evaluated, considering two suspension models (Fe(OH3) and coal particles), and validate the potential of the in-line flocs formation prior to solid/liquid separation at high rates.