Flocculation and consolidation of cohesive sediments under the influence of coagulant and flocculant

Abstract

This thesis focuses on the coagulation and flocculation processes of cohesive sediments under the influence of polyelectrolyte. For this study clay particles and anionic and cationic flocculants were used. The influence of the shear stresses on the flocculation demonstrated that the shear stress is the parameter that influences the most the break-up and re-grow of the aggregates. Fine sediment management requires the necessity of understanding what happens between clay particles and flocculant as it affects their flocculation, settling, and the formation of the bed. A good quality soil requires a good de-watering, meaning a quick removal of water, and it should have enough strength at the end of consolidation. This knowledge is of importance for dredging management and end-uses like mining industries, sanitary engineering, dredging engineering will benefit for it and mining industry in which they need to re-use the slurry from their manufacturing.