Fine alum floc particles washing over the effluent wires of the sedimentation basin indicates what?

Fine alum floc particles washing over the effluent wires of the sedimentation basin is a sign that the chemical or alum dosage is too high. When the dosage is excessive, it can lead to the formation of very fine floc particles that do not properly settle out in the sedimentation basin. Instead of combining into larger particles that would settle under gravity, these fine particles remain suspended in the water. As a result, they may overflow and be carried out with the treated water, indicating poor sedimentation performance.

In this scenario, appropriate adjustments to the alum dosage may be necessary to ensure that floc formation is not only sufficient but also conducive to effective settling. By reducing the dosage, the particles can combine and settle better, improving the overall clarity and quality of the effluent.

Understanding the correlation between floc particle behavior and alum dosage is crucial for water treatment operations, as it directly impacts the effectiveness of sedimentation and leads to better water quality outcomes.