Flocculants
Flocculants , d. H. Aids for flocculation are used wherever solid-liquid separation is required. They accelerate the sedimentation or flotation of suspended solid particles and significantly improve the dewatering behavior of the sludge thickened in this way in static or mechanical dewatering processes .
Most flocculants are organic , synthetic , high molecular weight and water-soluble polyelectrolytes based on polyacrylamide . Other organic polyelectrolytes of synthetic or natural origin are also used.
Flocculants are used
- in the purification of municipal and industrial wastewater in sewage treatment plants
- in the recycling of process and circuit water
- in the clarification of raw or surface water for the production of industrial or drinking water .
Many dewatering units , such as centrifuges , decanters , belt filters or chamber filter presses , can hardly function or only function with considerable limitations in performance without the addition of flocculants.