INFLUENCE OF VELOCITY GRADIENT ON OPTIMISATION OF THE AGGREGATION PROCESS AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF FORMED AGGREGATES: Part 1. Inline high density suspension (IHDS) aggregation process

This paper deals with optimisation and acceleration of the clarification process. It was established that both these objectives are closely inter-related and can be accomplished by the formation of aggregates with a high agitation intensity until the flocculation optimum is reached. This is a new method of formation of aggregates which is called the Inline High Density Suspension (IHDS) formation process. Further, under the IHDS process the aggregates are formed with a single root-mean-square velocity gradient G >> 50 s^-1. It was also established that the process of formation of aggregates (expressed by residual e of the observed determinant) passes through a minimum. This minimum is considered to be the flocculation optimum. Furthermore, the agitation intensity (G) was found to be the inherent means influencing compactness and thereby density of the aggregates formed. This proves the vital role of agitation intensity on the morphological and physical properties of aggregates formed. The resultant aggregates formed by the IHDS process are very compact, dense and homogeneous in their size, shape, volume and inner structure. Last but not least, the IHDS process applied to the HR-CSAV type sludge blanket clarifier facilitated its high attainable upflow velocity above of 25 m h^-1.