Application of a flocculation-ultrafiltration process for bacteria (Desulfovibrio desulfuricans) removal from industrial plant process water

The treatment of well-water containing bacteria (Desulfovibrio desulfuricans) used as process (cooling) water at the glass manufacturing plant in Mersin, Turkey has been studied in order to remove bacteria in suspension by coagulation/flocculation followed by ultrafiltration. Using a jar-test procedure, physico-chemical conditions have been optimised. Among the different types of additives investigated, a particular type of polyacrylamide (Magnafloc 1011, very high molecular weight anionic) resulted in a 65.22% bacteria removal from the well-water at a dosage of 0.01g/l, while the combined use of flocculation and ultrafiltration methods achieved bacteria removal of 89.85% from the well-water. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Firat University Scientific Research Projects Management UnitThe authors wish to thank Sisecam AS in Mersin, Turkey for support and providing samples. This study was supported by the Cukurova University Scientific Research Projects Directorate (project no. FBE.2001.YL.71)