Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 17, 2025

Procedure to Evaluate the Efficiency of Flocculants for the Removal of Dispersed Particles from Plant Extracts
Published on: April 9, 2016
Mechanism and dynamic regulation of synergistic flocculation in multi-sized ultrafine hematite: Experimental
Zhangke Kang1, Yanbai Shen1, Baoyu Cui1
1School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110003, PR China.
Abstract:
The flocculation and sedimentation properties of ultrafine hematite are strongly influenced by particle size heterogeneity. This study reveals a multi-scale synergistic mechanism among different particle size classes: coarse particles (-30+20 μm) construct a shear-resistant flocculation skeleton through hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces; fine particles (-10 μm) fill floc pores via physical adsorption and Fe-OOC ligand chemical bonding; and medium particles (-20+10 μm) dynamically bridge heterogeneous particles through anionic polyacrylamide (APAM)-mediated linking, enhancing network compactness. Zeta potential measurements and adsorption analyses demonstrated that the adsorption density gradient and surface charge modulation among classified particles synergistically promote floc growth. FTIR and XPS characterization confirmed that distinct bonding interactions govern different size classes, while extended DLVO theory revealed that heterogeneous particle interactions enhanced van der Waals attraction, facilitating dense, stable floc formation. Laboratory flocculation-settlement tests, combined with industrial experience from Anshan concentrators, suggest that multi-size optimization strategies can improve dewatering kinetics and water recovery, providing practical benefits for mineral processing. Finally, a multi-granularity flocculation model (MGFM, R2 = 0.7328) was constructed, quantitatively elucidating the inhibitory role of excessive fine particles and the dynamic bridging function of medium particles, offering targeted strategies for efficient flocculation, dewatering, and resource recovery of ultrafine hematite.
Related Concept Videos
Coagulation
Colloidal precipitates
Precipitate Formation and Particle Size Control
The obtained precipitate should be either a pure substance of known composition or easily converted to one by a simple process, such as ignition or drying. In addition, the precipitate should be insoluble and easily filterable. In general, filterability...
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Particle Size and Effective Surface Area
Typical Model Studies
Colloids and Suspensions

