Enhancing flocculation kinetics assessment: Integrating aggregate size distribution into experimental and modelling frameworks

Abstract

Flocculation is crucial in drinking water treatment, yet conventional techniques like jar tests may lack precision in capturing particle heterogeneity. To overcome this, a non-intrusive image-based system was employed to directly assess flocculation using aggregate size distribution (ASD). Integrating ASD into a kinetic model with a single parameter (β) allowed for tracking ASD during flocculation. Bench and pilot-plant scale experiments validated our approach. Sensitivity analysis confirmed β's responsiveness to ASD variations (r > 0.92), with modelling indicating errors averaging around 5%, underscoring its efficacy in assessing flocculation efficiency. Linking ASD coefficients from bench to pilot-scale models facilitates predicting flocculation performance.