Sedimentation with Coagulation

Chemicals are added to neutralize the forces

preventing agglomeration, or help in
increased floc formation, and settled.
Factors affecting
Types of coagulant, dose of coagulant,
characteristics of water, mixing.

Theory of Coagulation
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Double Layer surface charges

Adsorption
Hydrolysis
Polymerization
Charge neutralization

Common Coagulants

Alum
Chlorinated Copperas
Ferrous sulphate and lime
Sodium aluminate
Polyelectrolytes

Aluminium Sulphate
Al2 (SO4)3 18H2O
Al2 (SO4)3 18H2O + 3 Ca(HCO3)2 = 2 Al (OH)3 +

3CaSO4 + 18 H2O + 6 CO2

If Lime is added (in the absence of sufficient Alkalinity)
Al2 (SO4)3 18H2O + 3 Ca(OH)2 = 2 Al (OH)3 +

3CaSO4 + 18 H2O
When Soda Ash is added
Al2 (SO4)3 18H2O + 3 Na2CO3 = 2 Al (OH)2 + Na2SO4 +

18 H2O + 3 CO2
Alum is effective when pH between 6.5 to 8.5. Dosage for
water 10 30 mg/l. Generally not used for sewage
treatment. If used dosage 40 60 mg/l

Ferrous Sulphate
FeSO4. 7H2O
Reacts with natural alkalinity, but slow.
FeSO4. 7H2O + Ca(OH)2 = Fe (OH)2 +

CaSO4 + 7 H2O
4 Fe(OH)2 + O2 + 2H2O = 4 Fe(OH)3
Effective in pH ranges 4 to 7 and above 8.5.
Dosage 5-10 mg/l for water; 35 40 mg/l for
sewage.

Ferric chloride
Fe Cl3
2Fe Cl3 + 3Ca(OH)2 = Fe (OH)3 + CaCl2
Effective in pH range 5.5 7.0
Forms dense, heavy floc which settles
rapidly. Used extensively for waste water
treatment.
Dosage

Chlorinated Copperas
Chlorine introduced along with Copperas (Hydrated
Ferric sulphate, FeSO4.7 H2O)
Oxidises to Ferric sulphate{(Fe2 (SO4)3} and Ferric
Chloride ( Fe Cl3)
FeSO4.7 H2O + 3 Cl2 = 2Fe2 (SO4)3 +

FeCl3 + 7 H2O

Fe2 (SO4)3 + 3 Ca(OH)2 = 3 CaSO4 + 2 Fe(OH)3

Effective over pH range 3.5 to above 9.0, useful in
waste water treatment; dosage 30 80 mg/l

Sodium Aluminate
Na2Al2O4 + Ca(HCO3)2 = Ca Al2O4 + Na2CO3 +

CO2 + H2O
Na2Al2O4 + CaCl2 = Ca Al2O4 + 2 NaCl
Na2Al2O4 + CaSO4 = Ca Al2O4 + Na2SO4
Effective in removing hardness; effective pH ranges
of 6 to 8.5

Polyelectrolytes
High molecular weight water soluble
polymers
Anionic, cationic and non-ionic.
Trade names such as Floccal, Magnifloc,
Mogul etc.
Broadens the range of pH
Usually less than 1 mg/l dosage.

Coagulant Aids

Oxidizing agents
Weighting agents
Activated Silica
Poly electrolytes

Mixing
Using Hydraulic
Jumps
Turbines
Rapid and slow

Feeding of Chemicals
Dry Feed
Cheap, difficult to control
Chemical may clog, useful for non uniform material
Alum etc.

Wet Feed
Easy to control, but costly
Non-clogging type, Suitable for even very small
dosages, uniform feeding
Copperas, lime etc. which absorb moisture and tend
to clog.

Design Criteria for Flocculators

Detention time
1.5 3 hours
( mixing unit 45 60 sec)
Paddle Area
10 25 % of C.S.Area
Paddle speed
4-5 RPM
Inlet velocity
15 25 cm/sec
Peripheral velocity of paddle blades = 0.2 to 0.6 m/sec. (0.75 paddle velocity.
Geberally the ratio of fluid velocity to paddle velocity is 25 %)
Velocity gradient ( G) 10 75 per sec (for mixing>300 per sec)
Gt factor
10,000 to 100,000
Power Consumption 10 36 KW/m3/day
Outlet velocity
0.15 to 0.25 m/day
Weir loading
300 m3/m/day
Sludge scraper tip velocity
0.5 cm/sec at 1 RPM ( 0.75 KW/m)