Multi-Barrier Protection
Stage 1 - Chemical Conditioning / Tube Settling
Before water enters the treatment unit, coagulant and polymer are added to begin the coagulation and flocculation process. A sludge recycle flow is introduced near the coagulation point to aid in floc formation. This recycle flow also serves to maintain a steady-state solids concentration, minimizing variations in influent solids concentration. For plants incorporating enhanced coagulation, the tube clarification stage reduces influent solids concentration prior to the Adsorption Clarifier® stage, leaving the majority of coagulated particles in the tube settler clarifier. For cold water conditions, the tube clarifier provides added detention time.
Stage 2 - Enhanced Clarification
A buoyant adsorption media bed provides second-stage clarification. The Adsorption Clarifier media further reduces solids prior to filtration. Captured solids are periodically flushed from the clarifier using an air / water combination. Tube-clarified water is used for the flushing process.
Stage 3 - Mixed Media Filtration
Mixed media filtration removes the remaining solids using a bed of anthracite, sand, and high-density garnet supported by a direct retention underdrain. For improved filtration, the media surface area per volume increases from top to bottom and the backwashing process incorporates simultaneous air /water backwashing and baffled washtroughs to prevent media loss and assure clean media.
