Tanbir Nasim
Abstract
This is probably the first report on flocculation of kaolin suspension using Okra pod extract (OP) as a novel biflocculant, which is very cheap and can be readily obtained. The flocculation experiments are done with OP at various pH and using different concentrations of OP. Settling time and turbidity were measured to optimize flocculant dose and pH. The flocculation experiments show that the optimum flocculant dose for kaolin suspension is 25 ppm, whereas 2.6 is the optimum pH. Reduced viscosity, average molecular size, zeta potential of the flocculants are measured, and scanning electron microscope images and water entrapment values of the resultant flocs are done to understand the mechanism of the flocculation process. Fourier transformed infrared, Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis and gel permeation chromatography have been performed on OP extracts to understand the content of the extract