Floating Flocs

Overview

Rising flocs in the sedimentation tanks have been a problem from the very beginning at the plant in Tamara. The plant in Ojojona is also having this issue to a lesser extent. Initially the rising of the floc was thought to be caused by alum overdosing but the problem persisted

We initially thought that the rising flocs were due to overdosing with alum, but the rising foc problem persisted and the very high rise rate of the flocs suggests that they are being lifted by air bubbles. The water source for Tamara is a mountain stream below a large waterfall. Thus the water at the intake is likely in equilibrium with atmospheric oxygen. The supersaturation with oxygen most likely occurs in the transmission line since some sections of the pipeline carry a mixture of air and water into regions of high pressure.

We need a method to either prevent supersaturation of air in the transmission line or a method to remove dissolved oxygen prior to sedimentation.

Floating Floc team goals and meeting minutes