Performance study of the static flocculators

Abstract EN

In many areas contaminated surface water constitutes the only source of water for a large part of population.

In order to make this water safe for drinking, treatment is often necessary.

The most commonly used water treatment processes are coagulation and flocculation.

Flocculation is used when a water source contains a large amount of fine suspended mater.

Five different types of static flocculates which do not involve any moving parts or mechanical equipment and do not require electrical energy for operation were fabricated, described briefly and tested for hydraulic properties such as residence time distribution and degree of mixing.

In all cases, the energy for flocculation is extracted from the water flowing through the flocculators.

The turbidity removal percentage (R%) of suspended solids in a synthetic turbid water was determined and the models were compared with respect to the flocculation time, velocity gradient, Camp number and flocculation loading for five levels of initial turbidities and rates of flow.

The method achieves many advantages over the conventional procedure, and may prove effective when used in rural and small communities water treatment plants or, at least, in mobile water treatment units for military troops or working cams.