Organic colloidal contaminants

Wilkinson, K.J., Negre, J.-C. and Buffle, J. (1997b) Coagulation of colloidal material in surface waters the role of natural organic matter./. Contamin. HydroL, 26, 229-243. 

Humic and FULVIC acids, along with other organic colloidal materials, are fascinating substances that can have profound environmental consequences. Their abilities to complex radionuclides and toxic metals have been recognized for some time by researchers interested in the migration and mobilization of nuclear and industrial waste at contaminated sites. The micellar properties of humic and fulvic acids also give them the ability to play important roles in the solubilization and transport of hydrophobic pollutants. 

Membranes are being used increasingly for the removal of dissolved and colloidal contaminants in wastewater streams. Reverse osmosis (hyperfiltration) is well known for its ability to concentrate ionic species while ultrafiltration has found broad utility for the removal of dispersed colloidal oil, non-settlable suspended solids, and larger organic chemical molecules. One of the major problems these processes have faced is the fouling or blinding of the membranes after limited use. Various approaches have been developed in an effort to minimize this deterrent. Cross-flow filtration, where the contaminants are constantly flushed or washed from the membrane surface by the feedwater stream, is one of these approaches. The unit goes farther. Rather than a thin... 

Whether or not microorganisms contain silica or have silica adsorbed on the exterior as in Figure 7.1 is difficult to determine by chemical analysis. Separation of the cellular organisms from contaminants such as colloidal clays is also a problem which... 

Water and Waste Water Treatment. PAG products are used in water treatment for removal of suspended soHds (turbidity) and other contaminants such as natural organic matter from surface waters. Microorganisms and colloidal particles of silt and clay are stabilized by surface electrostatic charges preventing the particles from coalescing. Historically, alum (aluminum sulfate hydrate) was used to neutralize these charges by surface adsorption of Al cations formed upon hydrolysis of the alum. Since 1983 PAG has been sold as an alum replacement in the treatment of natural water for U.S. municipal and industrial use. 

Free caustic alkalinity usually is not recommended for jet-type electrode, as foaming conditions may develop rapidly because of the high recirculation rate. Where high alkalinity is present and FW contamination from colloidal or organic matter takes place, the foaming that develops quickly causes the boiler to be shut down. 

A colloidal dispersion of oil-in-water. In BW systems where oil contamination has occurred, emulsifying agents from the oil can produce an emulsion which further adds to the total foulant load and impedes heat-transfer. Specific organic emulsifiers have both hydrophilic (water loving) and lipophilic (oil loving) groups in the same molecule. 

More direct and successful methods for the preparation of non-aqueous metal sols are desirable. Especially valuable would be a method that avoids the metal salt reduction step (and thus avoids contamination by other reagents), avoids electrical discharge methods which decompose organic solvents, and avoids macromolecule stabilization. Such a method would provide pure, non-aqueous metal colloids and should make efficient use of precious metals employed. Such colloids would be valuable technologically in many ways. They would also be valuable to study so that more could be learned about particle stabilization mechanisms in non-aqueous media, of which little is known at the present time. 

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