When flocs are excessively large due to high mixing speed, what is the likely result?

When flocs become excessively large due to high mixing speeds, shearing of flocs is likely to occur. High mixing speeds increase the shear forces within the flocculation process, which can disrupt the delicate structure of the formed flocs. This shearing effectively breaks apart the larger aggregates that have formed, rendering them less stable and more prone to disintegration.

While large flocs can improve settleability to some extent, if they are too large due to excessive mixing, the structural integrity can be compromised. Incomplete mixing refers to situations where chemicals or particles do not adequately interact, which is not directly related to the size of flocs formed through high mixing speed. Enhanced chemical reaction generally depends on optimal mixing conditions, and excessive mixing typically detracts from achieving balanced reactions. Thus, shearing becomes a critical concern in managing floc formation, as it affects the overall efficiency of the water treatment process.