Development of a Flocculant Verification Process: Description of Procedures and Application for Polymer Quality Analysis

This paper describes methods for polymer characterization recommended for use by Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant of District of Colombia Water and Sewer Authority. The authority had problems with inconsistent quality of different polymer batches that adversely affected polymer performance and the cost of dewatering. These procedures were developed in order to quantify the characteristics of different polymer batches and assure that the polymer having consistent quality as the product originally contracted. Physical-chemical tests include active polymer content, charge density, ionic regain, viscosity, and polymer “fingerprinting” by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometry.