Question
Asked 10 October 2013

Alum vs. ferric chloride?

Coagulation process is important in water treatment. It is a common understanding that alum is more efficient and cheaper as compared to ferric chloride. I have used these two coagulants for the treatment of Flour Mill Wastewater. Ferric Chloride is way more superior than alum. Then why do we persist with alum?

All Answers (3)

Christopher S Jones
University of Iowa
I agree that ferric works as well or better than most other coagulants. It also seems to form a "heavy" floc that settles nicely. My experience is that it is pretty cheap. But it can depress alkalinity, if that is a concern. I also think alum might work a little better in cold water.
2 Recommendations
Tze Chiu
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc
You will find that alum produces less sludge compared to ferric based coagulant and is more tolerant to temperature and also the optimum range is wider for alum based coagulant.
2 Recommendations
It is important the ionic structure of the water.You can not use alum or ferric chloride for all waters.Some water react well to alum, some to FeCl3.
1 Recommendation

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