- Identification: 103/99/1432 - Grant Agency of the Czech Republic
- Duration: 1999 - 2001
- Principal investigator: RNDr. Silvestr Mutl CSc.
- Co-investigator: Ing. Libuše Benešová CSc. (Institute for Environmental Studies, Charles University)
The proposed project is directed on the study of the influence of conditions of formation of flocculated aggregates on their properties from the point of view of their separation from the treated water and on the properties of the separated sludge. The density, size and shape of aggregates influence significantly the course of separation by sedimentation and filtration in the fluid layer of flocculated suspension (clarifiers), the magnitude of adhesive forces by which the aggregates are actuating in their surroundings influences the course and the efficiency of infiltration. These properties are influenced by the structure of aggregates, which is stipulated by the mutual ratio of the magnitude of tangential and adhesive forces actuating in the course of their formation and on the aggregates formed. The aim of the project is to elaborate a method of evaluation of both types of forces acting not only in the course of aggregation but also inside of aggregates and to apply these methods to evaluation of the influence of conditions of aggregation on the efficiency of the separation processes and properties of the sludge. The magnitude of the tangential forces will be modified by changes of the agitation conditions, the magnitude of adhesive forces by treatment of water containing different types of impurities and using different types of destabilization reagents. The study will be realized in the laboratory and pilot plant scale in the waterworks treating raw water of relatively constant quality and will serve for optimization of treatment and separation conditions.
