Flocculation performance of fine particles in travertine slime suspension

The flocculation performance of new generation of flocculants (Magnafloc 5250 and 6250) possessing unique molecular architecture (UMA) and conventional polyacrylamide based SB 1836 was investigated for the solid-liquid separation of travertine processing wastewater. The settling rate and turbidity values were considered as the performance criteria. Based on the settling rate and turbidity values the anionic UMA flocculant 6260 showed better performance compared to the other anionic flocculants, SB 1836, which is currently used in the travertine processing plant, and the UMA flocculant 5250. The results obtained from this study clearly indicated that the type of the flocculants showed no significant effect on the adsorption of the polymers on the travertine particles at natural pH. The settling rates of the travertine particles and the turbidity of the suspensions were greatly affected by the surface charge of the flocculants at high and low pH regimes. The flocculation tests results with the medium charge flocculants (Magnafloc 5250 and SB 1836) were slightly affected by pH, and resulted in poor performance in terms of turbidity.