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What is a Flocculating Agent?

Flocculating agents or flocculants are the chemicals or substances that facilitate flocculation or floccing up of suspended solids in liquid, typically associated with wastewater. The resulting floc or wooly mass itself is called flocculent with an "e" however sometimes the terms are used interchangeably for flocculant with an "a". "Floc" is the common name for the clumped up waste.

There are many types of flocculants ( flocculents) including flocculant agents and flocculant chemicals. You can also use various flocculant aids such as pH adjustment.

Some common flocculants include:

alum flocculant
anionic flocculant
cationic flocculant
chitosan flocculant
polyacrylamide flocculant
polymer flocculant
nalco flocculant

What's the difference between Coagulants and Flocculants?

Coagulants and flocculants are similar, however, a coagulant aids coagulation, not flocculation. The difference is subtle but distinct. Coagulation is more of a thickener, flocculation forms distinct clumps that settle or float.

So, again, coagulation and flocculation are essentially the same type of process, thickening or clumping. Coagulation is more of a thickening process, whereas flocculation is a clumping together of substances or encapsulation of substances that form flocculent and in wastewater treatment hopefully precipitate out of solution.

Flocculants and coagulants used as wastewater flocculants, and in flocculant water treatment, are designed to do one thing, remove suspended solids from water and wastewater and or facilitate solids removal and subsequent dewatering.

Flocculants, or flocculating agents, are chemicals or compounds that cause flocculation by making suspended particles in liquids clump together forming a wooly lump or floc. Because they are woolly in appearance these clumps are called floc.

Using flocculants that do this so well that many processes such as pretreatment and coagulants are eliminated in your industrial wastewater treatment not only can improve your bottom line but can reduce water loss and create a superior environmentally compliant waste product or leftover solids. This means lower disposal costs and better compliance, better for everyone.

What are the best Flocculating Agent Flocculants?

Flocculants that are based on natural products utilize both positive and negative charges in the flocculant to bind to contaminates in your wastewater. This causes the contaminants to not only floc up but also become encapsulated in the flocculant, effectively making the treated sludge or solids environmentally benign to a large degree, rendering environmental compliance that much easier. Again, much lower disposal cost will result due to less water weight, and more importantly much safer solid waste is produced.

Proper flocculation is a win for industry and the environment. The bottom line: Great flocculants make your wastewater treatment easier. Easier means less costly and more efficient, more reusable water, better environmental compliance, lower disposal costs, all leading to higher profits for you with social responsibility to boot.

Industrial Ecology and Flocculating Agents

Now more than ever, industrial ecology is finding its way into industry, benefiting everyone, everywhere, for a sustainable society.

Read more about great flocculation using natural flocculating agents...

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About the Author:
David Wensloff formed Integrated Engineers Inc in 1994 based upon his vision that industrial wastewater treatment environmental compliance should be effective, simple and affordable for industries.
His approach to water and wastewater systems is holistic and unique in that your entire wastewater and manufacturing process is evaluated including engineering aspects, equipment and chemistry.
David is committed to providing and facilitating unsurpassed eco-friendly and responsible industrial wastewater treatment to industries worldwide.
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