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Characterization of biopolymeric flocculant (pectin) and organic synthetic flocculant (PAM): A comparative study on treatment and optimization in kaolin suspension. Bioresource technology [Bioresour Technol] Journal article

 
Ho YC, Norli I, Alkarkhi AF, Morad N 
Characterization of biopolymeric flocculant (pectin) and organic synthetic flocculant (PAM): A comparative study on treatment and optimization in kaolin suspension. [JOURNAL ARTICLE]
Bioresour Technol 2009 Oct 22.


Polyacrylamide (PAM), a commonly used organic synthetic flocculant, is known to have high reduction in turbidity treatment. However, PAM is not readily degradable. In this paper, pectin as a biopolymeric flocculant is used. The objectives are (i) to determine the characteristics of both flocculants (ii) to optimize the treatment processes of both flocculants in synthetic turbid waste water. The results obtained indicated that pectin has a lower average molecular weight at 1.63x10(5) and PAM at 6.00x10(7). However, the thermal degradation results showed that the onset temperature for pectin is at 165.58 degrees C, while the highest onset temperature obtained for PAM is at 235.39 degrees C. The optimum treatment conditions for the biopolymeric flocculant for flocculating activity was at pH3, cation concentration at 0.55mM, and pectin concentration at 3mg/L. In contrast, PAM was at pH4, cation concentration >0.05mM and PAM concentration between 13 and 30mg/L.



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