Modified amylopectin based flocculant for the treatment of synthetic effluent and industrial wastewaters

Herein, we report the application of an efficient polymeric flocculant based on amylopectin grafted with poly (acrylic acid) (g-AP) for the treatment of synthetic effluent as well as various industrial wastewaters. The flocculation characteristics of g-AP have been explored in different pH conditions using silica suspension by measurement of residual turbidity as well as floc size. Results suggest that in acidic pH, patching mechanism is predominating while at neutral and alkaline pH, bridging is the main mechanism. In addition, aggregation of particles and particle collision models confirm that bridging mechanism is the key mechanism at alkaline condition. Further, g-AP demonstrates excellent potential as flocculant for the treatment of paper effluent, textile wastewater and shows better flocculation performance than that of commercially available flocculant. Besides, the pilot scale study of mine processwater suggests excellent efficacy of g-AP as flocculant.