AWWA ACE59984

The concept of a characteristic reaction time is applied to the flocculation reaction and proposed for use as a new guideline for the design of continuous flow flocculators. The proposed guideline suggests designing flocculators on the basis of the characteristic reaction time for the loss of one micrometer of particles in the suspension. Based on the current understanding of flocculation processes and classical chemical engineering design principles, this new guideline has several advantages over the currently accepted design guidelines. These advantages are discussed in the paper and the new approach illustrated by comparison with the design of an operating water treatment facility. Includes 9 references, tables, figures.