Definition - What does Flocculating Agent mean?
A Flocculating Agent is a chemical that is added to liquids so as to promote the microscopically dispersed insoluble particles, i.e., collides and other suspended particles in the liquids, to aggregate and form flocs. The agent helps in the removal of these suspended particles as they either settle down to the bottom or float on the surface of the liquid after forming flakes.
Petropedia explains Flocculating Agent
Flocculants are formed in a fluid through precipitation or aggregation of suspended particles. To filter out the fine suspended particles and collides from hydrocarbon liquids, they need to be brought together to make flocs so that they can easily be filtered out. Flocculating agents make the suspended particles in the liquid to agglomerate and form flocs. Once agglomerated, these fine suspended particles, now in the form flocs, can easily be filtered out. Flocs resulting from the combined influence of coagulation and flocculation play a vital role in solid-liquid separation processes. Flocculating agents are also used to remove impurities in industrial wastewater treatment and crude oil demulsification.