The objective of this study was to investigate parameters relating to the use of cationic polyelectrolytes as prime coagulants, and not as aids, in the treatment of natural waters. The experimental approach was divided into two parts. The first part consisted of a series of laboratory jar tests, using eight cationic polyelectrolytes, Potomac River water, and, for comparative purposes, natural water from four other area sources. The laboratory studies, which evaluated the effects of pH, hypochlorination, mixing rate, and color removal, were followed by full‐scale plant studies using a 3,000‐gph water purification unit, Potomac River water, and the most promising polyelectrolyte, as determined by the laboratory study.
Polymers were used in the experiments to determine optimum type and dosage requited for effective treatment of an industrial effluent containing nitrocellulose fine particles. It was found that (a) contact flocculation filtration was not effective for treating the nitrocellulose‐manufacturing wastewater due to the high initial turbidity; (b) mixing, flocculation, and settling of the wastewater with cationic polyelectrolyte and bentonite clay gave greater than 95% turbidity removal; (c) with the same optimum chemical dosages, mixing, flocculation and centrifugation also gave about 97% turbidity removal; and (d) with the same optimum chemical dosages, mixing, flocculation, sedimentation and filtration removed 99.9% of the wastewater turbidity.
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