Ferric Chloride is primarily used to control which aspect of wastewater treatment?

Ferric Chloride is primarily utilized in wastewater treatment for the coagulation of solids. This chemical acts as a coagulant, promoting the aggregation of fine suspended particles and colloidal materials into larger flocs that can be more easily removed through sedimentation or filtration processes.

When added to wastewater, Ferric Chloride reacts with impurities and produces ferric hydroxide, which increases the size and weight of particles, aiding in their removal from the water. This is particularly important in the treatment of wastewater that contains a high level of suspended solids or turbidity.

The use of Ferric Chloride is crucial in both primary and secondary treatment processes to enhance the efficiency of solids separation, improve effluent quality, and support the biological treatment processes by providing better conditions for microbial activity.

While Ferric Chloride can have secondary effects on parameters like pH or contribute to odor control, its primary role in coagulation solidifies its importance in making treatment processes more effective.