Specialty Chemicals: Coagulants and Flocculants

Coagulants and Flocculants are high efficiency chemicals designed specifically for solid-liquid separation of suspended solids in wastewater. Conditioning the wastewater in removal of suspended solids requires chemical coagulation and flocculation. The idea of adding coagulants is to aid in the solid particles coming together to form a larger particle often called a “floc”. Flocculants are introduced to gather up the smaller coagulated solids thus forming larger flocs of the suspended solid content in the wastewater. These larger floc particles will settle relatively quickly to the bottom, leaving clear water. The added flocculant does not stay in the water, but is attached to the solids. Solids are further processed and removed from the treatment environment.

Our primary specialty chemical line are Polyacrylamides or Polymers which are found in a wide range of molecular weights and charge densities. Different forms and grades of these flocculants are available for use depending on the application. Modern day wastewater treatment plants use these polymers to enhance clarification, as well as apply towards sludge thickening and sludge dewatering operations. Polymers are generally introduced into primary clarification treatment processes to increase solids settling, thus reducing loading to the secondary treatment. In many treatment plants the wastewater flows from primary clarification into the secondary area of treatment. The periodic addition of polymer into the secondary treatment operation can reduce solid handling and thicken secondary solids for further processing in sludge dewatering areas. Solids removed from wastewater by dewatering methods may be disposed of by composting, farm land application as a soil conditioner or fertilizer, burial in a sanitary landfill or incinerated. After a dewatering process is achieved the effluent from a wastewater treatment plant must be disposed in the environment. This can be into water, onto land, or the water can be reclaimed and reused. Effluents from most wastewater treatment plants are discharged into receiving waters such as streams, rivers and lakes. With water becoming scarcer due to increased demands and with higher degrees of treatment, plant effluent is becoming a valuable resource. Both industry and agriculture are discovering that treated effluent may be the most economical source of additional water.

Polymers range from liquid emulsion and dispersion grade, dry concentrated powder and microbead grade to solution grade. Our proven line of polymers enhance conventional bio-mechanical processes in various wastewater treatment environments by improving the efficiency of solid-liquid separation and improving overall plant performance.

We stock the most complete selection of polymer products available from several manufacturers and can be directly supplied from our extensive inventory or direct from our manufacturer networks. Our large inventory and immediate shipping capability, Custom Environmental Technology can provide with that the needed technical expertise required to solve any specific wastewater treatment challenge. The expertise and chemicals know-how of our technical staff are vital to the correct identification of the need and its solution. We provide a complete problem-solving service from consultancy and analysis of specific needs through to supply of appropriate chemical agents. Our product line and technical expertise allows us to select the most cost-effective and performance proven product.