TAS 3101 : WATER TREATMENT TECHNOLOGY

CHAPTER 9 :

Water
Treatment
Process :
Flocculation
CHAPTER 3:
Environmental Microbiology

© SHAHRUL ISMAIL, DESc.

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT University College of Science and Technology Malaysia
 Menu

1) Introduction
2) Flocculation Theory
3) Flocculation Factors
4) Velocity Gradient
5) Flocculation Types

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

 Introduction

- Slow
- Slow mixing process in which particles are brought into contact in
order to promote their agglomeration.
- Conversion factors simplify changing from one unit of measurement to
another.
- There are two conditions under which water is measured—water at
rest and water in motion. Water at rest is measured in units of volume.
Water in motion is measured in units of flow— unit of volume for a
convenient time unit. It is important that the difference between a unit of
volume and a unit of flow be kept in mind.

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

Flocculation

Agglomeration of destabilized particles into

microfloc – second stage of floc growth

Floc : Bulky floccules which can be settled

Flocculant / Flocculant aid : Addition of

another reagent promote the formation of the
floc.

Relies on turbulence
Accomplished by gentle stirring
Enhance sedimentation

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

Flocculation

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

Flocculation Theory

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

 Flocculation Factors

Factors affecting performance of flocculation process

1) pH

i. Prominent factor

ii. Optimum pH range

iii. The type of colloid

iv. Chemicals to adjust the pH of the water

v. Trial and error testing

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

Flocculation Factors – Con’d

2) Tank volume

The volume of the tank is calculated using the following

formula:

V=Qt

Where:
V = volume
Q = flow
t = detention time

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

Flocculation Factors – Con’d
3) Detention time

Time required for a small amount of water to pass through a

tank at a given flow rate.  Mathematically, detention time is
given by the following formula:

t=V
Q

Where:

t   =  detention time

V  =  tank volume

Q  =  flow

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

Velocity Gradient
Velocity Gradient

 The velocity of water flowing through the flocculation basin must be within a
very specific range, designed to gently mix the water without breaking apart
the floc. 

Measurement of the intensity of mixing in the chamber.

 Determines how much the water is agitated in the tank,

 Determines how much energy is used to operate the flocculator.    

Where
G = Velocity gradient
P = Power input
u = dynamic viscocity
V = Volume
Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT
Velocity Gradient
- Design parameter for flocculation is Gt (dimensionless
number)

- Where;

G = velocity gradient, s-1 (20 – 75 s-1 )

t = time, s (10 – 60 min)

Gt = 12 000 – 270 000 (unitless)

- High G values with Low t : Small and Dense flocs

- Low G values with High t : Larger and Lighter flocs

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

Flocculation - Mixers
- Vary from cylindrical to rectangular or cubical. 

- Mixed simply by water flowing around baffles, or with a variety of

types of paddles, turbines, and propellers.

Vertical-shaft,
turbine-type impeller Horizontal-shaft
paddle
Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT
Baffled Chamber Flocculator

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

 Flocculation - Types

TYPES

MECHANICAL HYDRAULIC
DEVICES METHODS

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

 Mechanical Devices
1) MECHANICAL DEVICES

- Most often in small plants

Advantages :

i) Prevents water from rotating continuously in the same direction

around the shaft

ii) Low head loss

Disadvantages :

i) Low velocity around the shaft

ii) High operation and maintenance cost

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

 Mechanical Design - Power
DESIGN DETAIL - POWER

Power = Force x Velocity

P = F D x Vp

Where;

P = power input, Watt or Nm/s

FD = drag force on paddles, N

Vp = velocity of paddles (velocity relative to the water), m/s

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

 Mechanical Design - Force
DESIGN DETAIL - FORCE

FD = ½ C D A p V p2 p

Where;

CD = coefficient of drag, 1.8 for flat blades

Ap = area of paddle blades, m2

p = density of water, kg/m3 ( 998.2 kg/m3)

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

 Mechanical Design - Power

DESIGN DETAIL – POWER

THEREFORE;
Overall Equation :

P = G2 µ ∀
P = CD AP (Vp)3 p
2

Where;

G = velocity gradient, s-1

µ = dynamic viscocity, Ns/m2

∀ = volume of mixing tank, m3

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT
P =
power input, Watt or Nm/s
 Head Loss
 Measure of the reduction in the total head (sum of elevation head,
velocity head and pressure head) of the fluid as it moves through a
fluid system

 Present :

i. Friction between the fluid and the walls of the pipe; the

ii. Friction between adjacent fluid particles as they move relative

to one another;

iii. Turbulence caused whenever the flow is redirect or affected

 Proportional to the length of pipe, the square of the fluid velocity

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

Viscosity

 Resistance of water to flow due to internal

molecular forces. 

 Related to the liquid's temperature. 

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

Mechanical - Problems

A mechanical flocculator is used to treat 38000m3/day water with

detention time 20 minutes.

a) Design the dimension of the tank if L : W : d = 1 : 4 : 2

b) Find the power required when velocity gradient is 55s-1 and dynamic
viscosity 1.002 x 10-3 N.s/m2

c) If the tank have 3 paddles and every paddle have 4 plate with
relative velocity of paddles is 0.38 m/s and coefficient drag is 1.8,
find the area of 1 plate.

(Water density = 998.2 kg/m3)

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

Mechanical - Problems

Solution :

For a) Use volume tank formula to find each

dimension of L, W, d

For b) Find power, use formula that can fits all the
information given

For c) Use formula Power that fits all the information

given

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

Mechanical - Problems
Solution :

a) ∀ = Qt

= 38,000 m3/day x 20 mins

= 527.8 m3.

∀ =LxWxd

= 527.8m3 = 8L3

L3 = 527.8 /8

L = 4.04m W = 4 x 4.04 = 16.16m d = 8.08 m

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

Mechanical - Problems
Solution :

b) P = G2µ ∀

=(55)2 (1.002 x 10-3)(527.80) p

= 1599.8 Watt.

c) P = CD Ap (Vp)3 p

Ap = 1599.8 (2)

(1.8) (0.38)3 (998.2)

= 32.45 m2 So, area of 1 plate = 2.7 m2

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT
 Hydraulic Flocculation
- Baffle types

- Induce required velocity gradients for achieving floc

formation

Advantages :

i) Simple to construct and operate

ii) Less chance of short circuiting

Disadvantages :

i) Cannot be easily adjusted

ii) Increase head loss

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT
 Hydraulic – Design Detail

1. Velocity in the channel : 10 – 30cm/s

2. Width of the channel : 45 cm

3. Depth of flow : > 1.0m

4. Detention time : 10 – 20 minutes

5. Loss of head : 15 – 60 cm

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

 Hydraulic – Design Detail
To design;

1) Tank volume, ∀

2) Distance of flow, D

3) Cross Sectional Area between baffle, Ax

4) Depth of channel, d

5) Clear distance between baffle and the end of wall, Y

6) Effective length of each channel, Pe

7) No. of channel required for each compartment

8) Length and width basin, L & W

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

Hydraulic – Design Formulas
1) Total volume, ∀

∀=Qxt

2) Distance of flow, D

D=txv

3) Cross Sectional Area between baffle, Ax

Ax = ∀ / D

4) Depth of channel, d

d = A / Distance between baffles

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT
Hydraulic – Design Formula
5) Clear distance between baffle and the end of wall, Y

Y = 1.5 x Distance between baffles

6) Effective length of each channel, Pe

Pe = Width of each compartment - Y

7) No. of channel required for each compartment,

No. of channel for total distance flow = D/ Pe

So, for each compartment = No. of channel/ of total distance flow / total compartments

8) Length and width basin, L & W

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT
Hydraulic – Design Formulas
1) Total volume, ∀

∀ =Qxt

= 20 x 106 L/day x 25 min x1 m3/1000L x day/1440 min

= 347 m3

2) Distance of flow, D

D=txv

= 25min x 0.17 m/s x 60s /1 min

3) Cross Sectional Area between baffle, Ax

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT
Hydraulic – Design Formulas
3) Cross Sectional Area between baffle, Ax

Ax = ∀ / D

= 347m3 /255 m

= 1.36 m2

4) Depth of channel, d

d = Ax / Distance between baffles

= 1.36 m2 / 0.75 m

= 1.81m
Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT
Hydraulic – Design Formula
5) Clear distance between baffle and the end of wall, Y

Y = 1.5 x Distance between baffles

= 1.5 x 0.75

= 1.125 m

6) Effective length of each channel, Pe

Pe = for
No. of channel Width of each
total distance flowcompartment
= D/ Pe –Y

So, for each =

compartment = No. of channel/ of total distance flow / total compartments
3m – 1.125m

= 1.875m
Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT
Hydraulic – Design Formula
7) No. of channel required for each compartment,

No. of channel for a total distance of flow = D/Pe

= 255 m/1.875

= 136 channel

No. of channel for EACH compartment = 136 / 3

= 45.3

8) Length and width basin, L & W

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

Hydraulic – Design Formula

8) Length and width basin, L & W

Length = (135 x 0.75 m) + ( 135 x 0.075m)

= 111.375m

Width = 1.875 m

Check Volume = 111.375 x 1.875 x 1.81 = 380 m.

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

 Hydraulic – Problems
Design a baffle type basin of round the end type with the
following data :

Daily quantity of water to be treated = 20 MLD

Detention time = 25 min

Average velocity of flow = 0.17 m/s

Distance between baffles = 0.75 m.

Thickness of each baffle = 0.075 m

3 compartment,

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

Hydraulic – Problem Solution
1) Calculate the tank volume, ∀

∀ = Qt

= 20 x 106 L/day x 25 min

= 260 m3

2) Distance of flow, D

D = tv

= 25 min x 0.17 m/s

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

 THANKS FOR
YOUR ATTENTION…..

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT