In water treatment, what is the effect of increased water temperature on floc formation?

• A. Enhances flocculation
• B. Inhibits floc formation
• C. No effect
• D. Only increases settling speed

Answer: (B)

In the context of water treatment, increased water temperature generally inhibits floc formation. This is because higher temperatures can increase the mobility and kinetic energy of water molecules, which may disrupt the attractive forces that cause fine particles to agglomerate into larger flocs. Flocculation is a process that relies on particles coming together to form larger aggregates for effective removal during sedimentation. When the temperature rises, the collisions between particles become less effective in promoting agglomeration, which can lead to a reduction in the formation of cohesive flocs. Therefore, understanding the interplay between temperature and flocculation is crucial for optimizing water treatment processes and improving the efficiency of particle removal.