The Effects of Short-Term Storage and Elevated Temperatures on the Flocculation Activity of Aqueous Polymer Solutions

Abstract

Abstract Polyelectrolytes applied to water and waste treatment processes are generally assumed to be totally adsorbed to the sludge or solid phase. However it has previously been found that significant quantities of polyelectrolyte may appear in the effluent or liquid phase. This study developed a sensitive method, specifically a polystyrene latex test suspension, to detect trace concentrations of unmodified polyelectrolytes in distilled water as well as process effluents. A colloid titration method, as well as the test suspension were then used to assess the effects of storage at ambient and elevated temperatures. Both methods indicated that storage of polyelectrolyte at ambient and elevated temperatures could significantly reduce the effective charge (as measured by the colloid titration method) and the effective flocculating ability (as measured by the test suspension).