DEWATERING: FLOCCULATION

Alistaire Kerwin A. Acma, Ruth Limbo, Gretchen Balahay,

Wilfredo Gatdula Jr., Jason John Joshua Paraguya, feat. Novei Almane Gorres
METE 128: MINERAL PROCESSING LABORATORY

ABSTRACT
Flocculation is important processes in water treatment with coagulation to destabilize particles through
chemical reaction between coagulant and colloids, and flocculation to transport the destabilized particles that
will cause collisions with floc. Standard flocculation procedure was carried out to determine the actual density
of the sample. Then, data gathering, analysis, and calculations were applied to obtain results.
aims to familiarize the student with the influence of
flocculating agents on the settling rate of a pulp.

INTRODUCTION
Finely divided clay particles which are dispersed in
water that eventually settle out because of gravity
are called as Colloids. In Mineral processing,
colloids are the feed produced from various mineral
processing operations which have sizes that are
approximately sizes from 5 to 1000 nm. Most of
these processes are accomplished by using water or
by using any other non-compressible fluid (liquid),
thus, leading the fine particles to be partially
suspended in the liquid. To lessen the cost of
transport for shipment in producing a dry
concentrate, the liquid then are to be removed from
the solid particles through the process called
Dewatering.
Dewatering means to remove water absorbed by
the particles which increases the pulp density. This
is done for a number of reasons, specifically, to
enable ore handling and concentrates to be
transported easily, allow further processing to occur
and to dispose of the gangue. The water extracted
from the ore by dewatering is recirculated for plant
operations after being sent to a water treatment
plant.
Under this process, there are three methods
involved namely: sedimentation, filtration, and
thermal drying. Moreover, Sedimentation can be
classified into three also, namely Sedimentation
through
flocculation,
thickening
(gravity
sedimentation), and centrifugal sedimentation.
In the process of flocculation, the fine particles
(colloids) suspended in the water can by group
together to form floccules large enough to be seen
by the naked eye, the resulting flocs will settle then
faster providing then a clear supernatant liquid and
a compacted sediment in a reasonable time.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

This activity will aim to introduce the process of
dewatering to the students and let them be able to
determine, observe and understand the mechanism
of particles that are suspended in the water. It also

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Flocculation is important processes in water
treatment with coagulation to destabilize particles
through chemical reaction between coagulant and
colloids, and flocculation to transport the
destabilized particles that will cause collisions with
floc.The use of polymer as a flocculating agent
should be done with great care because an overdose
will make the setting process difficult. As they are
lighter than water, a high dose of anionic polymer
will increase the floating ability of flocculation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The materials used where 500 ml graduated
cylinder, wash bottle, flocculants, stirring rod ,
placer ore, stopwatch, aluminum pan,
and
analytical weighing balance.
Flocculation method, which is a specific
requirement of dewatering or a solid- liquid
separation, such as sedimentation, was employedin
this activity. Flocculation involves the formation of
much more open agglomerates and relies upon
molecules of reagent acting as bridges between
separate suspended particles.
In this activity, the raw material which is gold
placer was prepared and was kneaded
simultaneously. Gold placer sample was weighed
and was then dissolved first in a distilled water in a
beaker. And then the dissolved sample was poured
out in a 500 ml graduated cylinder and then water
was added to remove residual samples on the
beaker until it reaches 500 ml, then was stirred
using stirring rod. A 25 ml of distilled water was
then added to 500 ml solution, after that a
flocculants was added, and was stirred vigorously.it
is to ensure that no accumulation of particles at the
bottom of the graduated cylinder. After it has been
stirred, it was noticed that the particles settles

Flocculation.Submitted to Engr. Leaniel C. Silva, Instructor. Page 1 of 4

rapidly, and the time for settling of particles was

noted. And from the surface the particles then
settle to 400 ml surface, and from then it settle to
300 ml surface and finally it was allowed to settle
down to the bottom.
With the same raw material, another trial was made
but with a different flocculant added. With the same
procedure as the first trial, rapid settling of particles
was also observed, in which the time was recorded
as the particles settled, from the surface of 525 ml
solution it takes seconds until it settled to 400 ml,
also seconds until it settled at 300 ml and then
finally it was allowed to settle completely to the
bottom.
In the third trial, a different flocculant was again
used. With the same procedure in trial 1 and 2 ,
after the flocculants was added, the solution was
stirred properly and was allowed to settle. The time
required for the particles to settle was recorded.
And as the particles settled, from the surface of 525
ml solution it takes seconds until it settled to 400
ml, also seconds until it settled at 300 ml and then
finally it was allowed to settle completely to the
bottom.
Figure1. Process flow chart for Flocculation
Method in three different flocculants.
Preparing the Sample

Weighing of the Sample

Dissolving of the sample in a distilled water

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

For economical purposes, it is essential that the
concentrates be transported with moisture content
enough to eliminate, or at least minimize, dust
losses. Hence, product is subjected to dewatering
methods: sedimentation, filtration and thermal
drying. Bulk of the liquid is removed through
sedimentation producing 55-65% solids by weight.
This study exploits flocculation, a process involved
in sedimentation, by using a variety of flocculants
on a placer ore.
In general, flocculation is the agglomeration of
separate suspended particles relying greatly on the
bridges created by the flocculants. As such, in
theory, this process does not alter the properties of
the particles chemically. The rate of aggregation
depends on the collision rate between particles and
collision effectiveness in permitting attachment
between particles. Assuming that every particle
collision leads to clustering then the determining
rate is the collision rate of particles, termed as
Brownian motion. It is the random motion of the
colloidal particles which results from the rapid and
random bombardment of the colloidal particles by
molecules of the fluid. Technically, however,
Brownian motion only applies on particle sizes less
than 5 m. Beyond this size, aggregation is
governed by applied mixing or orthokinetic
flocculation.
This activity was conducted with three (3) trials,
corresponding to the three (3) different flocculants.
The weight of the placer ore and volume of
flocculants were determined using the following
equations:

Specific Gravit y placer :

Placing of the sample in the 500 beaker

Adding of 25 ml Distilled Water

Adding of the Flocculants

Stirring of the Solution

Ms
25(M py+ w+sM py+ s)

x=

(eq .1)

100 SG placer ( D p1)

(eq .2)
D p (SG placer 1)

Weigh t placer =( 0.5 L ) 1200

g
L

)( 100x )( eq .3)

Settling of the Particles

Gathering of Data

Volum e floc :=

(Weight placer )(Dosage)(

1000
)
floc strength

1,000,000

Flocculation.Submitted to Engr. Leaniel C. Silva, Instructor. Page 2 of 4

(eq .4

The table below contains initial assumptions:

Table 1. Assumptions for calculation purposes.
FLOC
FLOCCULAN

DOSAGE
STRENGTH

(gpt)
(%)

Superfloc A110
2.5
Superfloc A120
1
Magnafloc
2.5
Pulp Density= 1200gpL

3
3
3

The following table is consist of the calculated

data:
Table 2. Calculated quantity
pulp.
LEGEND
Specific Gravity (placer)
Percent solids
Weight (placer)
Superfloc A110
Superfloc A120
Magnafloc

of the constituents of
AMOUNT
2.42 g/mL
28.4%
170.4 g
0.204 mL
0.511 mL
0.204 mL

The
three
(3)
flocculants
are
anionic
polyacrylamides but differ on charge density and
molecular weights. Anionic polyacrylamide is
recommended for a pronounced effect on the
bridging role of flocculants. Moreover, these
flocculants have higher molecular weight, implying
longer chain, and are less expensive compared to
cationics. The mode of action of the anionic
polyacrylamide depends on a segment of the very
long molecule being adsorbed on the surface of a
particle, leaving a large proportion of the molecule
free to be adsorbed on another particle, so forming
an actual molecular linkage, or bridge, between
particles. For an effective flocculation the polymer
must exhibit good adsorption on the surface, and
the agitation during flocculation and subsequent
agitation is optimized. Also, it should be noted that
excess polymer can cause dispersion of the
particles due to floc breakdown. Practically,
flocculants is added prior to sedimentation
combining it evenly to the incoming feed.
Table 3. Flocculating time of different flocculants.
TIME (seconds)
CALIBRA
SUPERF SUPERF
TION
MAGNA
LOC
LOC
(mL)
FLOC
A110
A120
500
0
0
0
450
25.39
63.54
94.22
400
40.42
133.72
173.87
350
135.04
233.54
202.86
300
222.05
323.44
231.45

TOTAL
TIME:

422.9 sec

754.24

702.4 sec

Based on the data reflected on table 3, the settling

time increases for each calibration on all the
flocculants. This is due to the decrease in the
availability of free sites in the polymers over time.
The magnafloc displayed the strongest flocculating
power followed by superfloc A120 and lastly by
superfloc A110. Even at a floc strength of 1%, the
superfloc A120 is superior to superfloc A110. This
coincides with the fact that superfloc A120 has a
higher molecular weight and has been used
commercially in concentrate and tails thickening.
Without specifically knowing the type of
magnafloc but rather based on its performance, it is
safe to say that the magnafloc utilized in this study
has a longer chain compared to the superfloc
A120.In the next 48 hours, the three solutions
reached a common calibration of 160 mL and
produced a clear supernatant fluid implying that all
the particles have settled.
Another process which works hand in hand with
flocculation in effectively producing a supernatant
liquid is coagulation. Unlike flocculation,
coagulation causes extremely fine colloidal
particles to adhere directly to each other. This is
caused by the attractive forces of the London Van
der Waals which take only in effect in short
distances. Normally, the adhesion due to these
forces is prevented by the presence around each
particle of an electrically charged atmosphere,
which generates repulsion forces between particles
approaching each other (Fig. 2).

Figure 2. Electrical double layer.

Flocculation.Submitted to Engr. Leaniel C. Silva, Instructor. Page 3 of 4

In solution, the presence of a net charge on a

particle affects the distribution of ions surrounding
it, resulting in an increase in the concentration of
counter-ions. The region over which this influence
extends is called the electrical double layer.
Assuming the surface charge in figure 2 is negative,
the first layer of positive charges attracted on the
surface is called stern layer. The subsequent layer,
Guoy/diffuse layer, contains potential determining
ions which further neutralize the negative surface
charge emitted by the particle. As the particle
moves through solution the ionsmove with it. At
some distance from theparticle there exists a
boundary, beyondwhich ions do not move with
the particle. Thisis known as the slipping plane, and
existssomewhere within the diffuse layer. It is
thepotential that exists at the slipping plane that is
defined as the zeta potential.
Zeta potential (ZP) is crucial in determining the
occurrence of coagulation. A large ZP, negative or
positive, insinuates a large electric double layer and
hence, eliminates the possibility of particle
adhesion. To establish the optimum condition for
coagulation, the isoelectric point of the solution
must be ascertained through plotting ZP versus pH.
Isoelectric point is indicated by change reversal
implying the net charge on the particles is zero.

of flocs. After 48 hours, the flocculated samples

reached the level of 160 mL and each produced
supernatant liquid. Both implies that all particles
have settled. In recommendation, proper
calculation of data must be ensued especially in
determining the specific gravity to avoid a negative
domino effect.

REFERENCES
Bohuslav Dobias, Coagulation and Flocculation: Theory and
Applications, 1993-01-19, pp 169-172
Steven N. Liss, Ian G. Droppo, Gary G. Leppard, Timothy G.
Milligan, Flocculation in Natural and Engineered
Environmental Systems, 2004-12-28, pp 35-37
K.J. Ives, The Scientific Basis of Flocculation, 2012-12-06
https://www.koshland-sciencemuseum.org/water/html/en/Treatment/Coagulation-Flocculationtechnologies.html
http://www.iwawaterwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Articles/Coagulati
onandFlocculationinWaterandWastewaterTreatment

Alternately, coagulants can be added to help hasten

the agglomeration. Coagulants are electrolytes
having an opposite charge to the particle, thus
causing charge neutralization when dispersed in the
system, allowing the particles to come into contact
and adhere as a result of molecular forces.
Common coagulants are inorganic salts such as Al+
++, Fe+++ and Ca++.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Retained moisture of the concentrates is vital in
minimizing transport costs and dust losses and is
manipulated via dewatering. The bulk of the water
is removed through sedimentation which can be
explained through coagulation and flocculation.
This study focuses on flocculation and exploits it
by using three different types of flocculants in
agglomerating placer ore. It has been procured that
amongst the flocculants utilized, it is the
magnaflocs which has superior flocculating ability
followed by superfloc A120 and lastly by superfloc
A110. This implies that the magnaflocs has longer
chains of polymers which adsorbs on the surface of
the particles and hence, a higher molecular weight.
Other factors influencing the degree of flocculation
are the efficiency of adsorption on the surface,
degree of agitation during flocculation and the
subsequent agitation which can result in breakdown

Flocculation.Submitted to Engr. Leaniel C. Silva, Instructor. Page 4 of 4