Research Article
Feb 1972
Floc Breakup in Turbulent Flocculation Processes
Publication: Journal of the Sanitary Engineering Division
Volume 98, Issue 1
Abstract
Floc breakup theories are developed for the complex activated sludge floc and they are applied as well to inorganic chemical flocs. Rate expressions were developed for two modes of breakup in two hydraulic regimes. In one type of breakup it was assumed that primary particles are eroded from the floc surface when the surface shearing forces exceed the shear strength of the bonds joining the particles to the floc surface. The analysis of this surface shearing force required the description of floc motion in the turbulent environment. Expressions were developed for the peak floc size as a function of shearing conditions. The rate of floc breakup was described as the product of the number of metastable floc, the frequency of metastable floc disruption, and the number of primary particles eroded per disruption. A second form of floc breakup was observed experimentally with activated sludge floc. It appeared that the overall integrity of the floc was controlled by a filament mesh running through the floc allowing the buildup of very large floc prior to breakage. The high strength of these filaments seemed to allow the buildup of flocs to sizes that would not be possible in the absence of filaments.
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Information
Published In
Journal of the Sanitary Engineering Division
Volume 98 • Issue 1 • February 1972
Pages: 79 - 99
Copyright
© 1972 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published in print: Feb 1972
Published online: Feb 12, 2021
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Authors
Affiliations
Denny S. Parker, AM.ASCE
Proj. Engr.; Brown and Caldwell, Consulting Engrs., San Francisco, CA
Warren J. Kaufman, M.ASCE
Dir., Sanitary Engrg. Research Lab., and Prof. of Sanitary Engrg.; Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA
David Jenkins
Assoc. Prof. of Sanitary Engrg. and Chf. Chemist, Sanitary Engrg. Research Lab.; Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA
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ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.
Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.