Formation, breakage and re-formation of flocs formed by cationic starch.
The efficiency of flocculation can be significantly improved through floc breakage and re-formation under appropriate conditions. To obtain a better understanding of the mechanisms involved and to relate floc properties to separation efficiency, the effects of mixing conditions on the formation, breakage and re-formation of flocs formed by kaolin and cationic starch were investigated through conventional jar test procedure and continuous optical monitoring. It has been found that the breakage of flocs was fully reversible and the polymer flocculant could resist strong shear; even having been sheared for four times, the flocculation index (FI) value would be higher than that of the original flocs. The results indicated flocs formed at neutral and alkaline conditions had better shear resistance than those at acidification conditions, and the mode of floc rupture was large-scale fragmentation.
School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China E-mail: qintlin@163.com; National Engineering Laboratory for Rice and By-product Deep Processing, Center South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 41004, China.
Qintie
Q
Lin
Huanlong
H
Peng
Qinlu
Q
Lin
Guangcai
G
Yin
D004852:Epoxy Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D005427:Flocculation; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007616:Kaolin / Q000737:chemistry*; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D009391:Nephelometry and Turbidimetry; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D013213:Starch / Q000737:chemistry*; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D018508:Water Purification
D004852:Epoxy Compounds; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D007616:Kaolin; C045006:glycidyl trimethylammonium; D013213:Starch