Optimizing submerged jet flocculator performance: Particle removal experiments were conducted to uncover operational parameters leading to optimum performance

A 0.126-L/s (2-gpm) pilot plant was constructed to evaluate and optimize a novel water-jet mixing system for flocculation of suspended particles in water. The jet flocculator pilot plant consisted of a long vertical circular column with influent entering through a nozzle on the bottom to create an upflow submerged jet. A perforated plate was placed inside the jet flocculator and positioned above the bottom to create a reactor chamber. Particle removal experiments were conducted to investigate operational parameters such as flows, turbidities, reactor volumes, and arrangements of the perforated plate openings. Optimum jet flocculator conditions occurred when the perforated plate caused a 94 percent reduction in the column area and was located at or near the submerged jet height. Effluent residual turbidities of the optimized jet flocculator were approximately 35 percent for 10-ntu influents and 10 percent for 100-ntu influents. When a 75-cm (30-in.) depth of pall rings was placed above the perforated plate, a 10 percent decrease in the effluent residual turbidity occurred for only the 10-ntu influent