Comparison of hydrolysis/coagulation behavior of polymeric and monomeric iron coagulants in humic acid solution

Fluorescence quenching is commonly used to study the extent of metal binding to humic acid or fulvic acid. By studying this phenomenon, the hydrolysis and precipitation behaviors of polymeric and monomeric iron coagulants in the coagulation of humic acid were evaluated. Combined measurements of fluorescence intensity and dissolved organic carbon were performed to distinguish the hydrolysis and organic matter binding of polymeric and monomeric iron salts in coagulating high molecular weight organic compounds. Experimental results showed that ferric chloride had lower fluorescence quenching than polyferric sulfate (PFS), indicating more rapid hydrolysis of the monomeric ferric ion in the coagulation and dilution process. The less fluorescence quenching was caused by the lower residual concentration of Fe–humic acid complexes in the filtrate. There was no clear difference in adsorption ability and fluorescence quenching, which indicated that the physical and chemical properties of Fe(OH)3 flocs formed from PFS and FeCl3 coagulation were similar. From the pH study, we found that sludge formed from PFS coagulation was more stable than that from FeCl3 coagulation.