ROLE OF SORPTION IN EFFECTIVE OF SUSPENSIONS FLOCCULATION BY COMPOSITIOINS SURFACTANTS AND NATURAL POLYMERS

Abstract

Natural flocculants as chitosan and sodium alginate has physic-chemical properties: biodegradability, reaction and complexing ability, compatibility with living tissues without toxicity. Researches had shown that chitosan and sodium alginate can be used for flocculation of suspensions, sorption from aqueous solutions of heavy metals. Sorption has a specific role in the flocculation process. Sorption determined by the nature, molecular weight, concentration, charge density of the flocculants, as well as the properties of dispersions. It is necessary to understand the mechanism of processes in these systems in order to select an effective flocculants. The mechanism of action of natural flocculants is different from synthetic. The state of biopolymers depends on the pH of the solution. A positive effect on flocculation exerted by the addition of inorganic substances, surfactants or oppositely charged polyelectrolytes. The aim of our researches was to study the flocculation ability of compositions natural flocculants and surfactants. It was studied sedimentation stability of suspensions ground sediments containing macromolecular substances (flocculants) and cationic surfactants. It was shown that the sedimentation stability defines as flocculants characteristics such as molecular weight, concentration, nature of flocculants, polyelectrolyte’s charge density and nature of the suspensions. It was found that compositions of natural flocculants chitosan and sodium alginate with surfactants are effective. The findings suggest that the studied compositions of natural flocculants have significant potential for use, thanks to a number of advantages: the efficiency of their actions, low reagent consumption, environmental safety.