I am trying to flocculate some particles in water. I am using a bioflocculant. When I add it in, it seems as though the flocculant is just absorbing the particles onto its surface through adhesion and then settling out. The particles do not aggregate; they simply adhere to the surface of the flocculant. This still works as a separation technique, though. I am wondering what is going on. Does it still count as flocculation? Is there a name for this phenomenon?
Flocculation is the agglomeration of destabilized colloidal particles in which the size of particles increase and thereby its weight. The mechanism can be any one like bridge flocculation, electrostatic attraction . It seems your process is adsorption but got confused by < absorbing the particles on surface> .
You can observe the surface properties (pore size) of bioflocculant (used and unused) under SEM and after that arrive at some relevant interpretation.
Hi Sairaj,
You need to know if your bioflocculant has low or high molecular weight (MW) and charge density (CD) as those factors determine the mechanism of action.
Usually Low MW additives cause charge neutralization and are considered Coagulants whereas High MW additives cause inter particle bridging, being considered as Flocculants.
The CD is more related to the dose needed. The higher the CD the lower the additive (Flocculant or Coagulant) dosage employed.
However, unless you publish your data in water treatment journals, you can simply consider your process as being flocculation.
Take a look at John Gregory articles, they are really good.
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