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Characterization of Aluminum Flocs in Distribution Drinking Water Using Differential Interference Contrast (DIC), Transmission and Scanning Electron Microscopy (TEM & SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDXA)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 July 2020

Y. Song
Affiliation:
Microscopy Unit, Water Purification Laboratories Department of Water, City of Chicago, 1000 E., Ohio, Chicago, IL60611
A. Stark
Affiliation:
Microscopy Unit, Water Purification Laboratories Department of Water, City of Chicago, 1000 E., Ohio, Chicago, IL60611
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Extract

Conventional water treatment plants that use alum (aluminum sulfate) as a coagulant have been dealing with the issue of residual alum carry over from the treatment plant into the distribution system. The basic product formed whe alum is added to water is aluminum hydroxide floc. This floc grows in size and density as it captures suspended particulates and then is settled out. Smaller floc aggregates that pass through the settling process are in the most part removed by sand filtration. However due to the amphoteric characteristics and solubility properties of aluminum alon with it’s many different compounds, carry over of aluminum compounds through the filter is a phenomena that is a great concern to the water industry. These residual aluminum compounds produce small hydroxide floes that coat the inner surfaces of distribution pipes causing head loss or increased energy requirements for water pumping.In addition phosphate compounds (poly and ortho blends) have recently been added to the distribution system to reduce the leaching and corrosion of lead and copper from pipes.

Type
MAS Celebrates: Fifty Years of Electron Probe Microanalysis
Copyright
Copyright © Microscopy Society of America

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References

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