flocculation

floc·cu·late

F0190400 (flŏk′yə-lāt′)v. floc·cu·lat·ed, floc·cu·lat·ing, floc·cu·lates v.tr.1. To cause (individual particles of clay) to aggregate into clotlike masses or precipitate into small lumps.2. To cause (clouds) to form fluffy masses.v.intr. To form lumpy or fluffy masses.

floc′cu·la′tion n.

flocculation

The grouping together of colloidal particles to form a precipitate which may float in the liquid.

Thesaurus

Noun

flocculation - the process of flocculating; forming woolly cloudlike aggregationsnatural action, natural process, action, activity - a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings); "the action of natural forces"; "volcanic activity"

Translations

Flocculation

a form of coagulation in which fine particles suspended in a liquid or gas form loose, fluffy clusters called floes. In disperse liquid systems, such as sols, suspensions, emulsions, and latexes, flocculation occurs through thermal, mechanical, or electrical means. Soluble polymers, particularly polyelectrolytes, are effective flocculants.

The action of polymeric flocculants is usually explained as the simultaneous adsorption of long-chain macromolecules on several particles. The clusters that develop form flakes that can be easily removed by settling or filtering. Flocculants, for example, polysilicic acid or polyacrylamide, are widely used in treating water for industrial or domestic needs. They are also used in mineral concentration, in the pulp and paper industry, in agriculture (for improving soil structure), in the separation of valuable products from industrial wastes, and in the decontamination of industrial sewage. In water purification, polymeric flocculants are usually used in concentrations of 0.1–5 mg/liter. Flocculation by the organic substances present in bodies of water in nature is an important factor in the self-purification of such waters.

REFERENCES

Kul’skii, L. A. Teoreticheskie osnovy i tekhnologiia konditsionirovaniia vody, 2nd ed. Kiev, 1971. Page 138.
Voiutskii, S. S. Kurs kolloidnoi khimii, 2nd ed. Moscow, 1975.
Veitser, Iu. I., and D. M. Mints. Vysokomolekuliarnye flokulianty v protsessakh ochistki vody. Moscow, 1975.

L. A. SHITS

flocculation

floc·cu·late

flocculation

Flocculation

Flocculation

REFERENCES

flocculation

Words related to flocculation

noun the process of flocculating

Related Words