WHAT IS COAGULATION?
Coagulation is a water treatment process of removing solid particles from water through the addition of chemicals (coagulant). The coagulant will disrupt the electrostatic charges of particles, leading to the formation of larger particles which can be removed through sedimentation.
WHAT ARE COMMON COAGULANTS FOR WATER TREATMENT?
- Ferric sulphate
- Aluminium sulphate
- Ferric chloride
- all of which are classified as aluminium or iron salts.
WHICH POLLUTANTS ARE BEST ACCOMPLISHED BY COAGULATION?
- Gravel
- Sand
- Algae
- Clay
- Iron
- Protozoa
- Bacteria
NOTE: Although coagulation does not ensure that the water is safe to drink, it is nonetheless a crucial step in the water treatment process!
