Coagulation and Chemical Applications

Lecture No. 4

1. General

Flocculation is the gentle mixing phase that follows the rapid dispersion of coagulant
by the flash mixing unit.
The purpose of flocculation is to accelerate the rate of particle collisions, causing the
agglomeration of electrolytically destabilized colloidal particle
Flash mixing is an integral part of coagulation
Flokulasi adalah fase pencampuran lembut yang mengikuti penyebaran cepat koagulan
oleh kilat pencampuran.
Tujuan flokulasi adalah untuk mempercepat laju tabrakan partikel, menyebabkan
aglomerasi partikel koloid stabil electrolytically
flash pencampuran merupakan bagian integral dari koagulasi
flash =kilat/sekejap

Colloid
10-9 to 10-6 m
Coagulant
1. destabilizes
2. enmeshes

2. Purpose

The purpose of coagulation is to make the contaminants grow bigger, agglomeration,

and begin to settle out because of their increased size. The purpose of flash mixing is
to quickly and uniformly disperse water treatment chemicals throughout the water that
is being processed.
Metal coagulants such as alum and ferric chloride are absorbed almost immediately
and the dispersion should therefore be completed within 1 or 2 seconds.
The ratio of liquid alum to raw water volume is typically 1:50,000.

Coagulation and Chemical Applications, Page No.2

3. Considerations

Type of Coagulant. The most common coagulants are metal salt coagulants,
Meq(OH)pZ+ : aluminum sulfate (alum), ferric chloride and ferric sulfate. Synthetic
coagulants include PDADMA and cationic polymers such as chitosan. Metal
coagulants undergo hydrolysis when combined with water whereas all polymers do
not. The hydrolytic compounds such as Al(H2)63+ and Fe(H2O)33+ are formed in less
than a second are readily absorbed to colloidal particles thus destabilizing their charge.
The solubility of the various chemical is pH dependent. See F3.2.3-1. p.78. The most
reasonable chemical application sequence is to first lower the pH of the raw water
through the addition alum, thereby allowing divalent and trivalent aluminum
hydrocomplexes to form and then adjust the pH of the water to the range of minimum
aluminum solubility pH 6.3 in order to allow aluminum hydroxide (floc) formation.
Al(SO4)3 (alum) + H2O Al6(OH)15+3 + Al7(OH)17+4 + Al8(OH)20+4 + Al13(OH)34+5
Type of Chemical Diffuser. Most chemicals are converted into solution prior to being
fed to the raw water. The chemical is fed as a solution or slurry. The chemical diffuser
for solutions is most often a pipe with multiple orifices. For slurries, for pipe
applications, the open end of the diffuser pipe acts as the diffuser; for channel flow, a
trough with notches or holes at the bottom acts as the diffuser.
Head Loss for Flash Mixer. Head loss of 2 is required if a non-mechanical type of
mixing is used such as a hydraulic jump or in-line static mixer. Studies have shown that
mechanical flash mixing may be ineffective due to short circuiting and frequent repairs.
Variations in Flow Rate. GT should be from 300-1600 1/seconds.

4. Type and Selection Guide for Flash Mixing

See F.3.2.3-5 p.86. Alternatives in order of preference include:

- Diffusion mixing by pressured water jets
- In-line static mixing
- In-line mechanical mixer
- Hydraulic mixer
- Mechanical mixer
- Miscellaneous including pipe grid
Pressured Water Jets. No headloss, effective, flexible, less power consumption. Source
of the water is plant water. Minimum pressure is 10 psi. Clogging a potential problem.
In-line static mixing. Advantages include: no moving parts, no external energy, fewer
clogging problems. Disadvantages include: Minimal flexibility on the degree of mixing
which is a function of flowrate and the units are proprietary.
Hydraulic Mixer. Units include: Parshall flumes, Venture meters and weirs. The
turbulence is a function of flowrate and hence there is no positive control over the
degree of mixing.

Coagulation and Chemical Applications, Page No.3

Mechanical mixer. Most frequently used in the industry. Common design parameters:
G=300s-1, DT=10-30 s and the power requirement is .25-1.0 horsepower per million
gallons of water per day. This type of mixing is NOT preferred because: the lack of
instantaneous mixing characteristics, short-circuiting, mixing period is too long for
metal coagulants, backmixing.

Design Criteria:
For flash mixing:
G = (P/V).5 units p.88
GT=300-1600 s-1
Example:
Given: Basin 2x2x3, P=150ft.lb/s
Find: G
G = (P/V).5
V=lxwxd=2x2x3
V=12ft3
= 2.73x10-5lb.s/ft2 (assume 50F)
150ft.lb/s
G= [
].5 = [457,875].5
2.73x10-5lb.s/ft2 x 12 ft3
G = 676 s-1
Given: The above system but G=800
Find: What is the power requirement
G = (P/V).5
Pft.lb/s
800 = [
] 1/2
2.73x10-5lb.s/ft2 x 12 ft3
P = 209.6 ft.lb/s

For pump diffusion:

GT = 400-1600 (1000 average)
Mixing jet velocity 20-25fps at the orifice
low pH
For in-line static mixers:
GT=350-1700 (1000 average)
DT=1-5 s

Examples:
Given: Mechanical Flash Mixing System.
Q=12.53MGD = 19.39cfs, G=900s-1, Mixing time=1s, = 2.73x10-5lb.s/ft2 (assume 50F)
Find:
1.)tank size
2.)mixing time
3.) Horsepower (75% efficiency)
1.) tank
An area that will accommodate a mixing device and a smaller actual mixing zone is required.
See F3.2.3-8, p92. Say a 8x8 square box that is 10deep. An intermediate slab containing a 3.0

Coagulation and Chemical Applications, Page No.4

diameter hole at midheight would be the effective mixing zone. Attach a 3.5 length of pipe at
the opening to act as a mixing reactor tube.
2.)Mixing time
G = (P/V).5 units p.79

v = Q/A , A= D2
4

v = 12.53MGD x 1.547cfs/MGD / 32 = 19.39/7.065

4
v = 2.74 fps
DT = length of reactor tube / v = 3.5 / 2.74fps
DT = 1.28 s
3.)hp
The volume is the size of the whole times the mixing length of the pipe.

V = D2 x h = 32 x 3.5
4
4
V = 24.73 ft3
= 2.73x10-5lb.s/ft2 (assume 50F)
G = (P/V).5
900 = (P/2.73x10-5lb.s/ft2 x 24.73 ft3).5
P = 546.85 ft.lb/s
Assuming a 75% efficiency
P = 546.85 ft.lb/s / .75
P = 729.14 ft.lb/s
Given: Same problem but Pump Diffusion as the Flash Mixer
Q=12.53MGD=19.39cfs, Pipe diameter=36, Gt=1000, G=750s-1, minimum jet velocity = 20-25
fps, alum dosage 10-50mg/l, Length of the mixing zone=1.5D,
=2.73x10-5lb.s/ft2 (assume 50F)
Find:
1.)mixing time
2.)hp
3.) pump capacity(rule of thump, 2-5% plant flow
4.)jet velocity and diameter of the orifice
1.) mixing time
D=36=3
L=1.5D=1.5(3)
L=4.5

V = D2 x h = 32 x 4.5
4
4
3
V = 31.79ft
DT= V/Q = 31.79ft3 / 19.39cfs
DT= 1.64 s
2.)hp
G = (P/V).5
750 = (P/2.73x10-5lb.s/ft2 x 31.79 ft3).5
P = 488.18 ft.lb/s
3.)pump capacity
2-5% plant flow, say 3.5%
pump capacity = 3.5% (plant flow) = .035(12.53MGD)

Coagulation and Chemical Applications, Page No.5

pump capacity = .439MGD x 694.4gpm/MGD
pump capacity = 304.5 gpm
4.) jet velocity and diameter p.95
Use the basic pump formula
hp = Qh/e

hp=488.18 ft.lb/s, from step 2

=62.4 lb/ft3 for water
Q=304.5 gpm x .002228cfs/gpm = .678cfs
e=1=100% since the theoretical is used to determine orifice size
488.18 ft.lb/s = 62.4 lb/ft3 x .678cfs x h / 1
h = 11.54ft
h = v2/2g
11.54 = v2/(2x32.2)
v=27.26fps
Q=vA,
A=Q/v

A = D2 = .678cfs /27.26fps = .02487ft2

4
D=.158ft = 1.89inches
Given: Static Mixer as the Flash Mixer. P. 98. Q=10MGD. Assume dt=2s and the plant
influent is 6-8fps, diameter =30. According to the manufacturer, the pressure drop is P =
(.007Q/D4.4))/N.
Find:
1.)type
2.)number of mixing elements, rule of thumb, 1 element=1.5-2.5 times the pipe diameter
3.) G
1.)type
Selection of mixer is a matter of obtaining the catalogues of the propriety purveyors who sell
static mixers, speaking to their representatives, perhaps obtaining a list of customers, contacting
the customers, and weighing disparate items such as cost, reliability, each of installation,
durability and so forth in making a preliminary selection.
2.) number of mixing elements
The practical mixing time is limited to 2s or 3s for pipes larger than 5, use 2s.
distance = rate x time, thus the length of the mixing unit is 2 times the rate, velocity, L=2v.
total mixer length =2(6-8fps)
total mixer length =12-16
length of 1 element = 1.5-2.5 times the pipe diameter = (1.5-2.5)30
length of 1 element = 60= 5
number of elements = total mixer length / length of 1 element = 12-16 / 5
number of elements = 2 or 3
Use 3 elements at 5 each for a total length of 15
3.)Gt
G = (P/V).5 , P=Qh, units p.88
V of mixing unit, volume of pipe or cylinder where mixing occurs =

D x L = (30/12)2 x1 5
4
4

Coagulation and Chemical Applications, Page No.6

V = 73.59ft3
P = (.007Q/D4.4)N
Q=10MGD x 694.4gpm/MGD = 6944 gpm = 15.47cfs
.007 x 6944
P =
x 3
(30/12 )4.4
P = 2.59 psi
head loss = 2.59psi x 2.31/psi
head loss = 5.98ft
P=Qh=15.47cfs x 62.4lb/ft3 x 5.98ft
P= 5773 ft.lb/s
G = (P/V).5 = (5773ft.lb/s / 2.73x10-5 lb.s/ft2x 73.59ft3 ).5
G = 1695 s-1

5. Operation and Maintenance

Jar tests have been used successfully to optimize coagulant dosages. The jar test has 4
basic objectives:
- optimization of the coagulant
- optimization of the chemical application sequence
- optimization of the mixing energy and time, Gt
- evaluation of clarifier and filtration performance
- evaluation of the corrosive characteristics of the settled water.
Zeta potential has been tried with minimal success
The primary object of flash mixing is to effectively coagulate colloidal matter present
in raw water by applying the proper amount of coagulant through good flash mixing
prior to flocculation.

HOMEWORK No. 4, Coagulation and Chemical Applications

Read Chapter 1, 2 and part of 3 pp. 1-104
Problems:
4A.Given: A rapid-mix basin is to be designed for a water coagulation plant. Q=4MGD,
DT=30s, L=W, Depth=1.25L, G=900s-1 @ 50F. = (assume 50F)
Find: 1.)Basin dimensions 2.)hp, find P, 1hp=550ft.lb/s
4B.Given: Mechanical Flash Mixing System.
Q=5MGD, GT=850s-1, Mixing time=1s, = 2.73x10-5lb.s/ft2 (assume 50F), App.6 p.604,
1kW=1000 J/s, .746hp=1kW.
Find: 1.)volume of the tank 2.) Horsepower (75% efficiency)
4C.Given: Pump Diffusion as the Flash Mixer
Q=50MGD, Pipe diameter=48, Gt=1000, G=800s-1, minimum jet velocity = 20-25 fps,
alum dosage 10-50mg/l, Length of the mixing zone=1.5D.
=2.73x10-5lb.s/ft2 (assume 50F)

Coagulation and Chemical Applications, Page No.7

Find: 1.)mixing time 2.)hp 3.) pump capacity in gpm(rule of thump, 2-5% plant flow, use
2.5%) 4.)jet velocity and diameter of the orifice.
4D.Given: Static Mixer as the Flash Mixer. Q=50MGD. Assume dt=2s and the plant
influent is 6-8fps, diameter =48. According to the manufacturer, the pressure drop is P
= (.007Q/D4.4) N units p.89, =2.73x10-5lb.s/ft2
Find:
1.) type
2.) number of mixing elements, rule of thumb, 1 element=1.5-2.5 times the pipe diameter,
use 2
3.) the head loss (psi and ft)
4.) G
4E. Given: Design the rapid mix units for your project.