Characterization of biopolymeric flocculant (pectin) and organic synthetic flocculant (PAM): A comparative study on treatment and optimization in kaolin suspension

Polyacrylamide (PAM), a commonly used organic synthetic flocculant, is known to have high reduction in turbidity treatment. However, PAM is not readily degradable. In this paper, pectin as a biopolymeric flocculant is used. The objectives are (i) to determine the characteristics of both flocculants (ii) to optimize the treatment processes of both flocculants in synthetic turbid waste water. The results obtained indicated that pectin has a lower average molecular weight at 1.63 × 105 and PAM at 6.00 × 107. However, the thermal degradation results showed that the onset temperature for pectin is at 165.58 °C, while the highest onset temperature obtained for PAM is at 235.39 °C. The optimum treatment conditions for the biopolymeric flocculant for flocculating activity was at pH 3, cation concentration at 0.55 mM, and pectin concentration at 3 mg/L. In contrast, PAM was at pH 4, cation concentration >0.05 mM and PAM concentration between 13 and 30 mg/L.