Floc agglomeration and structuration by a specific talc mineral composition

Abstract

The quality of the effluent from a waste water treatment plant using the activated sludge process depends upon the bacteria flocculation efficiency. Intensive research work has been devoted to understanding flocculation phenomena and to correct disorders. The addition of very fine but dense talc particles to the aeration tank immediately improves floc formation and densifies the new flocs created. In the longer term, the fine talc particles improve floc structuration and form stable and strong flocs. This has been demonstrated by running a modified activated sludge through the high shear strength of pumps and hydrocyclones. These fine talc particles offer a solution to solve floc settleability problems which so frequently arise when biological disorders appear in waste water treatment plants. Two practical cases are presented.