Coagulants and Flocculants for Liquid Solids Separation

SOLIDS SETTLING

Brennfloc flocculants improve clarification by gathering the fine coagulated particles (or pin floc), increasing floc size, and increasing these particles’ settling or rise rates. Flocculation is the second step in clarification and can greatly improve the plant operation by speeding up separation and clarity. Terms such as "floc building" or "floc bridging" describe the flocculation step.

OIL IN WATER EMULSION BREAKING

Similar to fine suspended colloidal particles in water, oil can also be suspended, which is known as an oil in water emulsion. Much like the fine particles having negative charges which cause repulsion, these fine oil particles also tend to display the same tendencies. Oil in water emulsions can have surfactants and fine particles which will stabilize the emulsion and hinder separation. Brennfloc coagulants are effective in treating oil in water emulsions by charge neutralization and breaking surfactant bonds.

METALS PRECIPITATION

Water can become contaminated with many dissolved materials such as lead, zinc, copper to name a few. Brennfloc metals precipitants effectively and safely precipitate these contaminates allowing for removal by traditional clarification methods.

FILTRATION

Filtration can be used alone to remove particles or as a final polishing step in clarification. Using Brennfloc products enhances filtration efficiency by increasing floc size, improving capture, and extending filter run times.

SLUDGE PROCESSING

When solids are removed from water, a sludge is produced. This sludge can contain large amounts of water which can affect disposal, reuse, or reclamation. Brennfloc flocculants improve sludge thickening and sludge dewatering.

ORGANIC COAGULANTS

Organic coagulants neutralize the negative charge in water allowing particles to come together and grow larger.

THREE TYPES OF ORGANIC COAGULANTS:

• EPI Polyamine: refers to epichlorohydrin/alkylamine compounds
• DADMAC: refers to diallyldimethyl ammoniumchloride compounds
• Natural-Based: natural based organic coagulants are created from
  plants and other natural ingredients

Brennfloc organic coagulants treat a wide range of applications, giving the flexibility to design a cost effective, tailor-made program for your needs and discharge requirements.

Products are available in wide range of various chemistries, molecular weights, charges and activities, which allows you to zero in on the right product for the application.

Inorganic Coagulants

Inorganic coagulants neutralize the negative charges in water but also precipitate to create a metal hydroxide.

Brennfloc inorganic coagulants of aluminum and iron salts cover a wide range of applications. Inorganic coagulants are effective as coagulants for suspended particles.

Metals Precipitants

As wastewater metals discharge limits become increasingly strict, there is a growing need for effective but also safe environmentally friendly precipitants.

• Hydroxide Precipitation: although effective, cannot meet the new lower metals discharge limits required by many industries
• Sulfide Precipitation: also effective but can have toxicity issues

The Brennfloc metals precipitants are effective in meeting these low discharge requirements, safe to use, and environmentally friendly.

BRENNFLOC METALS PRECIPITANTS ARE EFFECTIVE TREATING

• antimony
• beryllium
• cadmium
• copper
• lead
• nickel
• silver
• tin
• trivalent chrome
• zinc

Flocculants

Brenntag Water Additives offers an extensive range of anionic, nonionic, and cationic flocculants.

• Anionic Flocculants: negative charge
• Nonionic Flocculants: neutral charge
• Cationic Flocculants: positive charge

Emulsions and dry flocculants are available ranging from very high to low molecular weights,and are also available in linear or structured (branched).

Branched or structured polymers deliver exceptional performance when used on centrifuge dewatering applications. The violent actions within a centrifuge expose substantially more charge sites which in turn produces a dryer more stable sludge cake.