Collision efficiencies of algae and kaolin in depth filter: the effect of surface properties of particles

Column filtration experiments with 2 mm-Φ glass beads were conducted to investigate the behavior of colloids during filtration. Algae and kaolin were used as model particles, while the chemical system was altered by changing the electrolyte concentration and pH. The collision efficiencies from the interaction between colloids and the filter medium were calculated with a semi-empirical approach of the single sphere model and clean-bed filtration theory. The experimental results indicate that ionic strength enhance the removal efficiencies for both algae and kaolin particles significantly. The removal efficiency of the filter for algae decreased with the increase in pH for up to pH 6. No significant change was observed beyond pH 6. Removal efficiencies for kaolin decreased with an increase in pH. It is concluded that collision efficiencies are sensitive to ion strength and pH.