Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Floc properties and membrane fouling of polyferric silicate chloride and polyferric chloride: the role of polysilicic acid

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Impact of polysilicic acid (pSi) in polyferric silicate chloride (PFSiC) on coagulation-ultrafiltration process was investigated in comparison with polyferric chloride (PFC). The Fe(III) species distribution in PFSiC and PFC was measured by a timed complexation spectroscopy method. Characteristics of flocs produced by PFSiC and PFC were studied using a laser diffraction particle sizing device. Moreover, membrane fouling was evaluated using a dead-end batch ultrafiltration unit under two operation modes, coagulation-ultrafiltration (C-UF) and coagulation-sedimentation-ultrafiltration (CSUF). The results indicated that PFSiC with various Si/Fe ratios had better turbidity removal efficiency but inferior organic matter removal. Flocs formed by PFSiC were larger than those by PFC. In case of PFSiC, floc size increased with Si/Fe ratio increasing. PFSiC with various Si/Fe ratios resulted in more compact and weaker flocs than PFC. Ultrafiltration experiments indicated that under C-UF mode, PFSiC with Si/Fe ratios of 0.07 and 0.10 presented better membrane performance than PFC. Under CSUF mode, addition of pSi could alleviate membrane fouling.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Boerlage SF, Kennedy MD, Aniye MP, Abogrean E, Tarawneh ZS, Schippers JC (2003) The MFI-UF as a water quality test and monitor. J Membr Sci 211:271–289

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng WP, Chi FH, Li CC, Yu RF (2008) A study on the removal of organic substances from low-turbidity and low-alkalinity water with metal-polysilicate coagulants. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 312:238–244

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gao B, Wang Y, Yue Q, Wei J, Li Q (2007) Color removal from simulated dye water and actual textile wastewater using a composite coagulant prepared by ployferric chloride and polydimethyldiallylammonium chloride. Sep Purif Technol 54:157–163

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gao W, Liang H, Ma J, Han M, Chen Z, Han Z, Li G (2011) Membrane fouling control in ultrafiltration technology for drinking water production: a review. Desalination 272:1–8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guigui C, Rouch JC, Durand-Bourlier L, Bonnelye V, Aptel P (2002) Impact of coagulation conditions on the in-line coagulation/UF process for drinking water production. Desalination 147:95–100

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jarvis P, Jefferson B, Gregory J, Parsons SA (2005) A review of floc strength and breakage. Water Res 39:3121–3137

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang J, Graham NJ (1998) Pre-polymerised inorganic coagulants and phosphorus removal by coagulation—a review. Water SA 24:237–244

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kabsch-Korbutowicz M (2005) Application of ultrafiltration integrated with coagulation for improved NOM removal. Desalination 174:13–22

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kabsch-Korbutowicz M (2006) Impact of pre-coagulation on ultrafiltration process performance. Desalination 194:232–238

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Katsoufidou K, Yiantsios SG, Karabelas AJ (2005) A study of ultrafiltration membrane fouling by humic acids and flux recovery by backwashing: experiments and modeling. J Membr Sci 266:40–50

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li T, Zhu Z, Wang D, Yao C, Tang H (2006) Characterization of floc size, strength and structure under various coagulation mechanisms. Powder Technol 168:104–110

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu T, Chen Z, Yu W, Shen J, Gregory J (2011) Effect of two-stage coagulant addition on coagulation-ultrafiltration process for treatment of humic-rich water. Water Res 45:4260–4268

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moussas PA, Zouboulis AI (2008) A study on the properties and coagulation behaviour of modified inorganic polymeric coagulant—polyferric silicate sulphate (PFSiS). Sep Purif Technol 63:475–483

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Park P, Lee C, Lee S (2006) Permeability of collapsed cakes formed by deposition of fractal aggregates upon membrane filtration. Environ Sci Technol 40:2699–2705

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Park P, Lee C, Lee S (2007) Determination of cake porosity using image analysis in a coagulation–microfiltration system. J Membr Sci 293:66–72

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pefferkorn E (2006) Clay and oxide destabilization induced by mixed alum/macromolecular flocculation aids. Adv Colloid Interf 120:33–45

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tang H, Shi B (2002) The characteristics of composite flocculants synthesized with inorganic polyaluminium and organic polymers. Chemical Water and Wastewater Treatment VII Proceedings of the 10th Gothenburg Symposium, pp 17–28

  • Vela M, Blanco SÁ, García JL, Rodríguez EB (2008) Analysis of membrane pore blocking models applied to the ultrafiltration of PEG. Sep Purif Technol 62:489–498

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Waite TD, Schäfer AI, Fane AG, Heuer A (1999) Colloidal fouling of ultrafiltration membranes: impact of aggregate structure and size. J Colloid Interface Sci 212:264–274

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Gao B, Yue Q, Wei J, Li Q (2008a) The characterization and flocculation efficiency of composite flocculant iron salts – polydimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride. Chem Eng J 142:175–181

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang J, Guan J, Santiwong SR, Waite TD (2008b) Characterization of floc size and structure under different monomer and polymer coagulants on microfiltration membrane fouling. J Membr Sci 321:132–138

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Gao B, Xu X, Xu W, Xu G (2009) Characterization of floc size, strength and structure in various aluminum coagulants treatment. J Colloid Interface Sci 332:354–359

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang C, Li Q, Tang H, Yan D, Zhou W, Xing J, Wan Y (2012) Membrane fouling mechanism in ultrafiltration of succinic acid fermentation broth. Bioresour Technol 116:366–371

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xu W, Gao B, Mao R, Yue Q (2011) Influence of floc size and structure on membrane fouling in coagulation–ultrafiltration hybrid process—the role of Al13 species. J Hazard Mater 193:249–256

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan W, Zydney AL (2000) Humic acid fouling during ultrafiltration. Environ Sci Technol 34:5043–5050

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yue QY, Miao J, Gao BY (2002) Study on the species distribution and transformation of iron in high-concentration polyferric chloride (PFC). Res Environ Sci 15:17–59

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao B, Wang D, Li T, Chow CW, Huang C (2010) Influence of floc structure on coagulation–microfiltration performance: effect of Al speciation characteristics of PACls. Sep Purif Technol 72:22–27

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zouboulis AI, Moussas PA (2008) Polyferric silicate sulphate (PFSiS): preparation, characterisation and coagulation behaviour. Desalination 224:307–316

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zouboulis AI, Moussas PA, Vasilakou F (2008) Polyferric sulphate: preparation, characterisation and application in coagulation experiments. J Hazard Mater 155:459–468

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zularisam AW, Ismail AF, Salim R (2006) Behaviours of natural organic matter in membrane filtration for surface water treatment—a review. Desalination 194:211–231

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (nos. 21077066 and 21377071).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, No. 27 Shanda South Road, Ji’ nan, 250100, Shandong, People’ s Republic of China

    Hongyu Dong, Baoyu Gao, Qinyan Yue, Shenglei Sun, Yan Wang & Qian Li

Authors
  1. Hongyu Dong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Baoyu Gao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Qinyan Yue
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Shenglei Sun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yan Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Qian Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Baoyu Gao or Qinyan Yue.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Bingcai Pan

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Dong, H., Gao, B., Yue, Q. et al. Floc properties and membrane fouling of polyferric silicate chloride and polyferric chloride: the role of polysilicic acid. Environ Sci Pollut Res 22, 4566–4574 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3694-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3694-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation