Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 20, 2026

Procedure to Evaluate the Efficiency of Flocculants for the Removal of Dispersed Particles from Plant Extracts
Published on: April 9, 2016
Treatment of aging oily wastewater by demulsification/flocculation
Jing Y Yang1, Liang Yan1, Shao P Li1
1a School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai , P.R. China.
Abstract:
The aging oily wastewater (AOW) from Tarim oilfield in China was treated by demulsification/flocculation. A novel sewage treatment agent (YL-7) was developed using a cationic surfactant (LY) and flocculants (polydimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride (PDMDAAC)/polyaluminum chloride (PAC)). At an YL-7 dosage of 320 mg L(-1) at 323 K for 90 min, the oil content of AOW was reduced from 728.8 mg L(-1) to 23.7 mg L(-1), and oil removal efficiency reached 96.7%. Microorganism flocs (extracted from AOW) with high negative zeta potential enhanced the stability of oil/water emulsion. LY and PDMDAAC neutralized the negative charge on the oil droplet surface. PDMDAAC and PAC mainly bridged and swept flocs during the flocculation process. YL-7 was found to be a suitable sewage treatment agent in removing oil from AOW.
Related Concept Videos
Coagulation
Microbial Bioremediation of Hydrocarbons
Bioremediation
Biofuels
Colloidal precipitates

