Flocculation separates sediment from a solution, often used in manufacturing and water treatment. It can be forced by stirring or flocculants and is used in medical analysis. Colloids can also be separated. Flocculation is used deliberately in wastewater treatment and unwanted in sour milk. Agitation and flocculant chemicals are common techniques.
Flocculation refers to the separation of a solution and, more commonly, this word is used to describe the removal of a sediment from a fluid. As well as in nature, it can also be forced by stirring or by adding flocculants. Many manufacturing industries use it as part of their processing techniques and it is also used extensively in water treatment. The technique is also used extensively in the medical world to analyze various fluids.
The term comes from floc, another word for flakes of material. When a solution is flocculated, the sediment forms into lumps of aggregate that are easier to see. When this is started intentionally, the flake is usually removed with filters or screens. When a solution has been separated by mistake, you can try to turn it back into a solution so that it can be usable again.
The technique can be used to separate sediments and visible materials and to deal with colloids. A colloid is a solution that appears to be uniform, but is actually made up of one or more components mixed together. Some common examples of solutions with visible sediment are swimming pools and wastewater, both of which are flocculated for purity. Frequently encountered colloids include foam, milk, glues and inks. The separated elements within the colloid are thoroughly mixed to create a new compound and can be separated again.
Depending on the circumstances, flocculation may be desired or unwanted. It is often deliberately made in wastewater treatment, removing harmful substances so that they can be treated separately. Other examples of deliberate processing include grease traps in commercial kitchens, blood processing centrifuges, and facilities for extracting salt from seawater. A classic case of unwanted flocculation is sour milk, where the milk colloid separates forming a layer of flaky material on top. If this separation is not desired in a production environment, steps are taken to minimize it.
There are several ways to separate a solution. Agitation is a common technique, as it can encourage the sediment flakes to aggregate and accumulate at the bottom or top, depending on their weight. Flocculant chemicals are also used to encourage clumping in a solution. Typically, they have a different electrical charge than substances that are precipitated out of solution, drawing the material into clumps of particles.
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