Coagulation

Coagulation is a critical process in water treatment that involves the addition of chemicals to destabilize and aggregate particles suspended in water. The aim is to form longer, more easily settleable particles, which can be subsequently removed through sedimentation or filtration making the coagulation process a key step in the overall treatment of water for drinking or industrial use. Coagulants, such as aluminium sulphate (alum) or ferric chloride, are added to the water, for these coagulants neutralize the negative charges on particles, allowing them to come together or coalesce. The effectiveness of coagulation is influenced by the pH of the water and in some cases, pH adjustment may be necessary to optimize the coagulation process. For example, alum is often used in slightly acidic to neutral pH conditions. Therefore, it is critical to ensure correct monitoring and optimization processes are in place to measure parameters such as turbidity and particle counts as the dosage of coagulants can be adjusted to optimize treatment efficiency. Coagulation is a crucial step in meeting water quality standards and regulations. The process helps to remove particles, colloids, and pathogens, contributing to the production of clean and safe drinking water.