Influence of the Na2CO3/AlCl3 Molar Ratio On Aluminum Species Distribution in Synthetic Polyaluminum Chloride (PAC) and Coagulation Mechanisms for Treating Low-turbidity in Pi River Water
摘要
To address the challenge of treating low-turbidity in water from the Pi River in Anhui Province, samples of polyaluminum chloride (PAC) with molar ratios of 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00, denoted as PAC-.50, PAC-.75, and PAC-1.00, respectively, are synthesized using raw materials of sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and aluminum chloride (AlCl3). The morphology of aluminum (Al) is examined, and the effects of different molar ratios and dosages on the removal of turbidity, chromaticity, and ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm (UV254) are assessed using coagulation beaker experiments. Characterization analyses, including Zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), have been conducted to unravel the underlying mechanisms. The results indicate that PAC-1.00 possesses the highest proportion of aluminum species (Alb) at 67.1%, which is approximately 36% greater than that in PAC-.50, leading to the most effective coagulation. The optimal dosage for treating water from the Pi River is determined to be 3.24 mg/L. Mechanistic analysis reveals that upon adding PAC-1.00, the electric potential of the raw water elevates from -11.1 mV to -1.44 mV, confirming the charge neutralization as the primary mechanism for colloid destabilization. Similarly, SEM analysis demonstrates a clustered three-dimensional structure, which enhances floc formation. FTIR results indicate that PAC-.75 and PAC-1.00 samples exhibit new absorption peaks compared to PAC-.50, suggesting a polymerization structure, with PAC-1.00 being more stable and demonstrating a higher degree of polymerization. This study underlines a method for preparing an effective PAC that is beneficial for treating low-turbidity in surface water.