I
i
SP345574XX00
FLOCCULANT MIXTURE AND FLOCCULATION METHOD
Background
The present disclosure relates to a flocculant
| 5 mixture and a flocculation method.
I The quality of industrial wastewater changes with
the times along with technological innovation, and a
I
\ method for wastewater treatment needs to be optimized at
| all times. For example, upon receiving a request for
10 reducing the thickness' of a glass substrate used for a
flat display apparatus, the polishing amount of a glass
| substrate using a liquid medicine such as hydrofluoric
acid is increased. Then, the discharged polishing
wastewater of the glass substrate is very concentrated,
15 and it is said that the wastewater treatment is difficult.
A flocculant containing at least any one of
mulukhiyah, dried mulukhiyah, and mulukhiyah extract is
known from Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei
11-114313.
| 20 Summary
The flocculant disclosed in Japanese Patent
Application Laid-open No. Hei 11-114313 can effectively
flocculate a group of suspended particles. However,
there is a need for a flocculant having higher
25 performance for flocculating concentrated wastewater.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a flocculant
mixture having higher performance for flocculating
concentrated wastewater,"and a flocculation method.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure,
30 there is provided a flocculant mixture, including a
polymer flocculant formed of an anionic polymer
-
* 1
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! SP345574XX00
flocculant and/or a nonionic polymer flocculant, and a
plant-derived water-soluble viscous substance, in which a
value of (VCo/VCi) is less than 15, where VCo is viscosityobtained
when 0.5% by mass of the polymer flocculant is
5 dissolved in water having electric conductivity of not
more than 200 uS/cm, and VCi is viscosity obtained when
0.5% by mass of the polymer flocculant is dissolved in
water having electric conductivity of not more than 200
uS/cm and 2% by mass of sodium nitrate is dissolved
10 therein.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure,
there is provided a flocculation method, including adding
a flocculant mixture to a suspension (wastewater), and
flocculating and separating particles in the suspension.
15 It should be noted that the water-soluble viscous
substance is partially dissolved in the suspension
(wastewater), and the remaining portion is dispersed in
the suspension.
The flocculant mixture according to this embodiment,
20 or the flocculant mixture in the flocculation method
according to this embodiment (hereinafter collectively
referred to as "flocculant mixture and the like according
to this embodiment" in some cases) includes a polymer
flocculant formed of an anionic polymer flocculant and/or
25 a nonionic polymer flocculant, and a plant-derived watersoluble
viscous substance, and the viscosity properties
of the polymer flocculant are defined. It should be
noted that because the polymer flocculant and the plant-
| derived water-soluble viscous substance are compatible
30 with each other, and can bring"out each other's
properties as a synergistic effect, it is possible to
' 2 •
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SP345574XX00
improve the flocculation rate during the wastewater
treatment and to significantly improve the clarity of the
I supernatant liquid after the wastewater treatment and the
j clarity of the filtrate after cake filtration, even with
5 a small additive amount. This is attributed to that the
I
\ polymer flocculant and the plant-derived water-soluble
I
I viscous substance can exert different flocculation
i
| effects on sludge particles (colloidal particles) having
various particle diameters or-surface potentials.
10 Therefore, the flocculant mixture exhibits higher
properties for flocculating concentrated wastewater
| (waste liquid), and can be favorably used in various
• fields such as wastewater treatment, liquid crystal panel
manufacturing factory, semiconductor apparatus
15 manufacturing, electronic apparatus manufacturing,
electronic component manufacturing, electrical apparatus
! manufacturing, electrical component manufacturing, paper
factory, waterworks/sewerage, fermentation industry,
paper industry, and civil engineering and construction.
20 It should be noted that because a value of (VCo/VCi) is
less than 15, the flocculant mixture and the like
according to this embodiment show excellent flocculation
performance. On the other hand, if the value of VCi is
small, i.e., the value of (VCo/VCi) is not less than 15,
25 the flocculation rate is too slow. Accordingly, the
flocculation performance of the flocculant mixture is not
acceptable.
These and other objects, features and advantages of
the present disclosure will become more apparent in light
i 30 of the following detailed description of best mode
I embodiments thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying
3
\ SP345574XX00
drawings.
Detailed Description of Embodiments
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure
will be described based on examples. However, the
5 embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to
the examples, and various numerical values and materials
in the examples are only examples. It should be noted
that a description will be given in the following order.
1. Flocculant Mixture and Flocculation Method according
10 to Embodiment of Present Disclosure, General Description
2. Example 1 (Flocculant Mixture and Flocculation Method),
Others
[Flocculant Mixture and Flocculation Method according to
Embodiment of Present Disclosure, General Description]
15 The flocculant mixture and the like according to
this embodiment desirably have an angle of repose of not
more than 60°, favorably not more than 50°, more
favorably not more than 40°. Here, the angle of repose
i .
I is, for example, an average value of angles of three
S 20 slopes of mountains of powder (conical bodies) formed by
depositing the powder through a funnel from a
predetermined height on a circle table having a
i predetermined diameter, and applying predetermined
vibration, as necessary. It can be said that the
25 flocculant mixture having a smaller angle of repose has
more excellent fluidity. If the flocculant mixture has
| an angle of repose of more than 60°, the fluidity of the
flocculant mixture is too low. As a result, the
flocculant mixture clumps when it is dissolved in water,
30 or a phenomenon that the flocculant mixture clumps in
wastewater because it does not uniformly disperse in the
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SP345574XX00
•
. wastewater during wastewater treatment is caused, for
example. Therefore, it may be impossible to obtain a
sufficient flocculation effect. Moreover, when the
flocculant mixture is mixed, a separation is easily
5 caused between a polymer flocculant formed of an anionic
| polymer flocculant and/or a nonionic polymer flocculant,
I and a plant-derived water-soluble viscous substance. It
should be noted that the angle of repose can be measured
| by using a commercially available powder test apparatus
10 (powder tester).
Moreover, in the flocculant mixture and the like
according to this embodiment, which includes the abovementioned
favorable form, a mass ratio of (the polymer
flocculant/the plant-derived water-soluble viscous
15 substance) is favorably 20/1 to 1/20.
Furthermore, in the flocculant mixture and the like
according to this embodiment, which includes the
favorable forms described above, the plant-derived watersoluble
viscous substance may take any one of the
20 following forms:
(a) a form containing a glycoprotein such as pectin and
fucoidan
(b) a form containing a glycoprotein such as mucin
(c) a form including a flocculating material
25 (d) a form including at least one material selected from
a group consisting of mulukhiyah, jute mallow, jute,
malabar spinach, okinawan spinach, banana, okra, Japanese
mountain yam, cactus, kelp, sporophyll of Wakame, and
gulfweed, or a dried product thereof. Here, examples of
30 a material containing pectin or fucoidan include
mulukhiyah, jute mallow, jute, malabar spinach, okinawan
i • * 5
SP345574XX00
i
I
spinach, banana, okra, cactus, kelp, sporophyll of Wakame,
and gulfweed, and examples of a material containing mucin
include mulukhiyah, jute mallow, jute, malabar spinach,
okinawan spinach, banana, okra, cactus, kelp, sporophyll
5 - of Wakame, and gulfweed. Moreover, all of the materials
described in (d) contain a heteropolysaccharide and a
glycoprotein.
Moreover, in the flocculation method according to
1 this embodiment, which includes the favorable forms
10 described above, the suspension (wastewater) may have an
electrical conductivity of not more than 500 uS/cm.
In the flocculant mixture or the flocculation method
according to this embodiment (hereinafter collectively
referred to as simply "this embodiment"), which includes
15 the various favorable forms described above, examples of
the anionic polymer flocculant include a partial
hydrolysate of polyacrylamide, a copolymer of acrylamide
\ and acrylic acid, a copolymer of acrylamide and acrylic
acid metal salt, a (meth) acrylic acid-based polymer, a
20 sodium alginate, a guar gum sodium salt, a carboxymethyl
cellulose sodium salt, and a starch sodium salt. Here,
examples of the (meth) acrylic acid-based polymer include
a partial hydrolysate of polymethacrylamide, a copolymer
of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid and acrylamide or
25 methacrylamide and salts thereof, a ternary copolymer of
acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, acrylamide or
methacrylamide, and 2-acrylamide-methyl propanesulfonic
acid, vinylsulfonic acid or vinylmethylsulfonic acid, and
salts thereof, and a sulfomethylated compound of
30 polyacrylamide or polymethacrylamide and salts thereof.
I • •
Moreover, examples of the nonionic polymer flocculant
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! , ' .
include polyacrylamide, polymethacrylamide, starch, guar
gum, gelatin, polyoxyethylene, and polyoxypropylene.
Moreover, any part of leaves, stems, trunks, roots, "
fruits, and petals of a raw material plant being a raw
: 5 material of the plant-derived water-soluble viscous
substance in this embodiment can be used. However,
! depending on the raw material plant, it is desirable to
use, particularly, parts of leaves, stems, trunks, and
flowers, or, more particularly, parts of leaves and stems,
; 10 because they are easily processed to powder. The place
where or season when the raw material plant is cultivated
is not particularly limited. The plant-derived watersoluble
viscous substance favorably takes a form of a
dried product obtained by drying a raw material plant at
15 a temperature of less than 100°C. In the case where the
row material plant is dried at a temperature of not less
than 100°C, a type of water-soluble polymer component
(specifically, for example, polymer heteropolysaccharide)
contained in the raw material plant is thermally
20 deteriorated (e.g., decrease in molecular weight due to
cut of a main chain or a side chain of the polymer
heteropolysaccharide, insolubilization due to
intramolecular cross-linkage, carbonization reaction).
As a result, the flocculation performance may be reduced.
25 Examples of the drying method include sun drying, air
drying in the shade, hot-air drying, vacuum drying, and
lyophilization. Moreover, before or at the same time as
the row material plant is dried at a temperature of less
than 100°C, it is favorable to pulverize the row material
I 30 plant. For the pulverization, a normal mill can be used.
I In this embodiment, the flocculant mixture, which
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SP345574XX00
i • • •
i
has been combined with, for example, the following
flocculant aid, inorganic flocculant, and organic
coagulant in advance, can be used. Alternatively, the
flocculant mixture can be used in combination therewith
5 (i.e., separately added to the suspension). By combining
the flocculant mixture with these agents, or using the
\ flocculant mixture in combination therewith, it is
| possible to further improve the flocculation properties.
In the case of using with the inorganic flocculant, it is
10 desirable to add the flocculant mixture and the like
according to this embodiment after the inorganic
flocculant is added to the suspension.. Moreover, in the
case of using with the organic coagulant, it is desirable
to add the flocculant mixture and the like according to
15 this embodiment at the same time as or after the organic
I coagulant is added to the suspension.
Here, examples of the flocculant aid include
hydrated lime, sodium silicate, bentonite, and fly ash.
Moreover, examples of the inorganic flocculant include
20 aluminum sulfate (alum), polyaluminium chloride (PAC),
sodium aluminate, ferrous sulphate, ferric chloride,
ferric sulphate, copperas chloride, modified basic
aluminum sulfate (LACS), and activated silica.
Furthermore, examples of the organic coagulant include
25 dimethyldiallylammonium chloride, alkyl epichlorohydrin
condensate, polyethyleneimine, a condensation product of
alkylene dichloride and polyalkylene polyamine,
dicyandiamide-formalin condensate, aniline hydrochloride
formaldehyde polymer, polyhexamethylene thiourea acetate,
I 30 and polyvinyl benzyltrimethylammonium chloride.
i
! Furthermore, the flocculant mixture and the like
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SP345574XX00
according to this embodiment can be combined with or used
in combination with chelate resin, a chelate agent,
activated carbon, ozone water, ion exchange resin and ion
exchange membrane, water-absorbent resin, hydrogen
5 peroxide water, chlorine and liquid chlorine, sodium
hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, bleaching powder,,
! chlorinated isocyanuric acid, diatomite, a photocatalyst
such as titanium oxide, a co-treatment agent such as a
biological treatment agent, or the like.
10 In some cases, on a row material plant being a raw
material of the flocculant mixture and the like according
| to this embodiment, acid treatment and/or alkali
treatment may be performed.
In the flocculation method according to this
- 15 embodiment, before the flocculant mixture and the like
according to this embodiment is added to the suspension,
the flocculant mixture and the like according to this
i
embodiment favorably takes a form of being dissolved and
dispersed (partially dissolved and the remaining portion
20 is dispersed, the same shall apply hereinafter) in water.
Then, as a method of adding the flocculant mixture and
the like according to this embodiment to the suspension
(wastewater), the flocculant mixture and the like
according to this embodiment in a powder form may be
25 directly added to the suspension. However, it is more
favorable to add the flocculant mixture and the like
according to this embodiment dissolved and dispersed in
water to the suspension. After particles in the
suspension are flocculated and separated, dehydration
30 treatment may be performed. In the dehydration treatment,
a normal dehydrator can be used. For example, a filter
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SP345574XX00
•
press, a vacuum dehydrator, a belt press dehydrator, a
centrifugal dehydrator, and a screw press can be used.
The additive amount of the flocculant mixture and
the like- according to this embodiment with respect to the
5 suspension significantly differs depending on the type of
the target suspension (wastewater) or a combination with
another agent. Therefore, by performing various tests,
the additive amount may be determined. However,
approximately 0.05 mg/1 to 200 mg/1 (0.05 ppm to 200 ppm),
10 favorably 0.1 mg/1 to-100 mg/1 (0.1 ppm to 100 ppm), more
favorably 0.5 mg/1 to 20 mg/1 (0.5 ppm to 20 ppm) can be
exemplified. If the additive amount of the flocculant
mixture and the like according to this embodiment is too
small, it may be impossible to obtain a favorable
15 flocculation effect. If the additive amount is too large,
the flocculation effect may be reduced.
The viscosity can be obtained by measuring a sample
dissolved and dispersed to have a predetermined
concentration using a Brookfield viscometer at 25°C and
20 100 rpm. Moreover, the electrical conductivity may be
measured based on JIS K0130:2008. Furthermore, the angle
of repose may be measured based on JIS R9301-2-2:1999.
[Example 1]
Example 1 relates to the flocculant mixture and the
25 flocculation method according to this embodiment.
A flocculant mixture according to Example 1 includes
(A) a polymer flocculant formed of an anionic polymer
flocculant and/or a nonionic polymer flocculant, and
(B) a plant-derived water-soluble viscous substance, in
30 which
a value of (VC0/VCi) is less than 15, where VC0 is
t
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SP345574XX00
I
viscosity obtained when 0.5% by mass of the polymer
flocculant is dissolved in water having electric
conductivity of not " more ' than 200 uS/cm, and VCi is
viscosity obtained when 0.5% by mass of the polymer
5 flocculant is dissolved in water having electric
conductivity of not more than 200 uS/cm and 2% by mass of
sodium nitrate is dissolved therein. Here, wastewater
contains a large amount of various salts. Such
wastewater is modeled, and sodium nitrate (NaNOs) is
10 dissolved therein to simulate the state of the wastewater
in a way.
Moreover, in a flocculation method according to
Example 1, the flocculant mixture according to Example 1
is added to a suspension, and particles in the suspension
15 are flocculated and separated.
In Example 1, as a raw material plant of the plantderived
water-soluble viscous substance, dried products
of mulukhiyah powder, jute mallow (leaves, stems, trunks,
flowers, and roots), jute (leaves and stems), and kelp
20 (leaves, stems, and rhizoids) were used. Moreover, in
Comparative Example 1, as a raw material plant forming
the flocculant mixture (hereinafter referred to as
"additive"), dried products of mulukhiyah pulverized
product, Japanese mustard spinach (leaves and stems), and
25 spinach (leaves and stems) were used. It should be noted
that the mulukhiyah powder and the mulukhiyah pulverized
product are different in their pulverization processes
and particle sizes obtained therefrom. The particle size
of the mulukhiyah powder is 100 mesh on average, while
| 30 the mulukhiyah pulverized product is a 2 mesh on product.
Then, the raw material plants were dried by a hot-
. * - ii
SP345574XX00
air dryer at a predetermined temperature (but at a
temperature lower than 100°C) for a predetermined time
period, thereby obtaining the plant-derived water-soluble
viscous substance according to Example 1. The water
5 content ratio of the plant-derived water-soluble viscous
substance was 4.5% by mass to 25% by mass depending on
the drying condition. The same treatment was performed
on the additive in Comparative Example 1. Then, the
plant-derived water-soluble viscous substance according
! 10 to Example 1 thus obtained was pulverized using a food
processor for cooking. The same treatment was performed
also on the additive in Comparative Example 1, excluding
the mulukhiyah pulverized product.
As the anionic polymer flocculant, commercially
15 available partial hydrolysates of polyacrylamide (anionic
polymer flocculant A to anionic polymer flocculant H)
were used. Moreover, as the nonionic polymer flocculant,
a commercially available polyacrylamide (nonionic polymer
flocculant I) was used. It should be noted that the
20 anionic polymer flocculant A to anionic polymer
flocculant H are different in the proportion of partial
hydrolysis. Specifically, the proportion of partial
hydrolysis in the anionic polymer flocculant A is 3%, and
the proportion of partial hydrolysis is higher in the
25 order of the anionic polymer flocculant B, the anionic
polymer flocculant C, the anionic polymer flocculant
D, .... The proportion of partial hydrolysis in the
anionic polymer flocculant H is 100%. Moreover, the rate
of hydrolysis in the nonionic polymer flocculant I is 0%.
30 Measured values (unit: 10~3 Pa*s, centipoise) of the
; viscosity VCo and VCi of each polymer flocculant, and
| ' ' ' 1 2
I ' '
SP345574XX00 '
values of (VC0/VCi) are shown in the following table 1.
However, values of (VCo/VCi) in the anionic polymer
flocculant E to the anionic polymer flocculant H are not
I less than 15, and therefore a requirement that the value
5 of (VCo/VCi) is less than 15 is not satisfied.
; The viscosity measurement was performed in the
I following way. Specifically, water (pure water) having
| electric conductivity of not more than 200 uS/cm was used.
Then, by dissolving 0.5% by mass of polymer flocculants
10 according to Examples,. and Comparative Examples in the
water, the viscosity VCo was measured. Moreover, by
dissolving 0.5% by mass of polymer flocculants according
to Examples and Comparative Examples in the water, and
dissolving 2% by mass of sodium nitrate therein, the
15 viscosity VCi was measured. The viscosity was measured
using a Brookfield viscometer (manufactured by Toki
Sangyo CO.,LTD). More specifically, the temperature of a
sample is adjusted to 25°C, and the viscosity was
measured at a rotation rate of 100 rpm.
20 [Table 1]
VCo VCi VCO/VCT
Anionic polymer flocculant A 388. 7 62. 7 6. 2
Anionic polymer flocculant B 6 0 5 . 1 6 9 . 9 8.7
Anionic polymer flocculant C 8 0 2 . 6 6 6 . 6 12.1
Anionic polymer flocculant D 64 7 . 9 54.9 11.8
Anionic polymer flocculant E 6 3 8 . 7 4 1 . 7 15.3
Anionic polymer flocculant F 615. 5 35. 1 17. 5
Anionic polymer flocculant G 5 9 1 . 5 2 7 . 9 21.2
Anionic polymer flocculant H 9 5 9 . 8 4 0 . 4 23.8
Nonionic polymer flocculant I 1 0 . 9 10.7 1.0
Mass ratios of anionic polymer flocculants and
I nonionic polymer flocculants to plant-derived water-
I
soluble viscous substances (polymer flocculant/plant-
* 13
SP345574XX00
•
derived water-soluble viscous substance), which have been
used in Example 1-A to Example 1-Q are shown in Table 2.
Moreover, mass ratios of anionic polymer flocculants and
cationic polymer flocculants to additives (polymer
5 flocculant/additive), which have been used- in Comparative
Example 1-A to Comparative Example 1-0, are shown in
Table 3. It should be noted that the mass ratio of
i
(polymer flocculant/ plant-derived water-soluble viscous
substance) or the mass ratio of (polymer
10 flocculant/additive) is represented as "Mixing ratio" in
Table 2 and Table 3.
As suspensions (wastewater) for flocculation
evaluation, the following suspensions were used.
Specifically, "semiconductor wastewater A" is wastewater
15 obtained by applying pH adjustment and primary
flocculation treatment to fluorine wastewater discharged
from a liquid crystal panel manufacturing factory. It
should be noted that the pH of the "semiconductor
wastewater A" is 7.49, the amount of suspended solids
20 (SS) is 13 mg/1, and the electrical conductivity is 2470
uS/cm. Moreover, "semiconductor wastewater B" is
wastewater obtained by applying pH adjustment and primary
flocculation treatment to fluorine wastewater discharged
from a liquid crystal panel manufacturing factory that is
25 different from that of the semiconductor wastewater A.
It should be noted that the pH of the "semiconductor
wastewater B" is 7.96, the amount of suspended solids
(SS) is 17 mg/1, and the electrical conductivity is 2690
uS/cm. Furthermore, "semiconductor wastewater C" is
| 30 wastewater obtained by applying pH adjustment and primary
flocculation treatment to fluorine wastewater discharged
* 14
SP345574XX00
from a liquid crystal panel manufacturing factory that is
different from those of the semiconductor wastewater A
and the semiconductor wastewater B. It should be noted
that the pH of the "semiconductor wastewater C" is 7.52,
5 the amount of suspended solids (SS) is 9 mg/1, and the
electrical conductivity is 2230 uS/cm.
I As a method of evaluating the flocculation, the
i following method was used. Specifically, 80 ml of each
of the suspensions for flocculation evaluation was poured
10 into a 100 ml measuring cylinder with a stopper. Then,
flocculant mixtures and the like according to Examples
and Comparative Examples were added to the suspensions
for flocculation evaluation so as to have a predetermined
concentration (with respect to values in solid content
15 equivalent, see Table 2 and Table 3) by a measuring
pipette. Next, the measuring cylinder was immediately
stirred by being turned upside down 10 times, and
thereafter, was allowed to stand still. Then, the
sedimentation rate of suspended particles was measured.
20 It should be noted that the sedimentation rate was
calculated based on a time period that the flocculation
interface is lowered from the position of 60 ml to the
position of 40 ml. Moreover, the clarity of the
supernatant liquid 3 minutes after being allowed to stand
25 still was evaluated by visual inspection. The abovementioned
measurement results are shown in Table 2 and
Table 3. "O" in the results of visual inspection ,
represents that the supernatant liquid is clear, "A"
represents that the supernatant liquid is a little cloudy,
I 30 and "x" represents that the supernatant liquid is cloudy.
[Table 2]
t
' 15
SP345574XX00
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* 18
SP345574XX00
In Examples 1-A to 1-Q, the angle of repose of each
of the flocculant mixtures is not more than 60°, the
value of (VCo/VCi) is less than 15, and the mass ratio of
(polymer flocculant/plant-derived water-soluble viscous
5 substance) is 20/1 to 1/20. Then, the flocculant
mixtures according to Examples 1-A to 1-Q were injected
in the suspensions for flocculation evaluation, and were
stirred. The flocculant mixtures were dissolved and
dispersed in the suspensions for flocculation evaluation,
10 and the sludge was precipitated, thereby causing the
supernatant liquid to settle. Therefore, it was
confirmed that the flocculant mixtures had excellent
flocculation performance.
On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1-A,
15 Comparative Example 1-B, Comparative Example 1-C, and
Comparative Example 1-D, the value of (VCo/VCi) was not
less than 15, the supernatant liquid was a little cloudy
or was cloudy, the sedimentation rate was slow, and the
flocculation performance was not acceptable.
20 Moreover, in Comparative Example 1-E, because the
mulukhiyah pulverized product was used, the value of the
angle of repose was beyond 60°. The flocculant mixture
was injected in the suspension for flocculation
evaluation, and was stirred. Then, the flocculant
25 mixture clumped in the suspension for flocculation
evaluation, the supernatant liquid was cloudy, the data
on the sedimentation rate was not obtained, and the
flocculation performance was not acceptable.
Furthermore, in Comparative Example 1-F, the plant-
I 30 derived water-soluble viscous substance was not used, the
supernatant liquid was a little cloudy, the sedimentation
* 19
SP345574XX00
rate was slow, and the flocculation performance was not
acceptable.
Moreover, in Comparative Example 1-G to Comparative
Example 1-J, the mass ratio of (polymer flocculant/plant-
5 derived water-soluble, viscous substance) was not within
the range of 20/1 to 1/20, the supernatant liquid was a
little cloudy, the sedimentation rate was slow, and the
flocculation performance was not acceptable. Furthermore,
in Comparative Example 1-K, the additive amount of the
10 flocculant mixture and the like to the suspension was
very small. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1-
L, the additive amount of the flocculant mixture and the
like to the suspension was very large, the supernatant
liquid was a little cloudy or was cloudy, the
15 sedimentation rate was slow, and the flocculation
performance was not acceptable.
In Comparative Example 1-M, the cationic polymer
flocculant was used, the supernatant liquid was cloudy,
the sedimentation rate was slow, and the flocculation
20 performance was not acceptable.
In Comparative Example 1-N to Comparative Example 1-
0, Japanese mustard spinach and spinach were used instead
of the plant-derived water-soluble viscous substance, the
supernatant liquid was a little cloudy, the sedimentation
25 rate was slow, and the flocculation performance was not
acceptable.
As described above, the flocculant mixture according
to Example 1 includes a polymer flocculant formed of an
anionic polymer flocculant and/or a nonionic polymer
30 flocculant, and a plant-derived water-soluble viscous
substance, and the properties of the polymer flocculant
'• 20
SP345574XX00
are defined. Therefore, the flocculant mixture has
higher properties for flocculating concentrated
wastewater (waste liquid) , and can be favorably used in
various fields such as wastewater treatment,
5 semiconductor apparatus manufacturing, electronic
apparatus manufacturing, electronic component
manufacturing, electrical apparatus manufacturing,
electrical component manufacturing, waterworks/sewerage,
fermentation industry, paper industry, and civil
10 engineering and construction.
Although embodiments of the present disclosure have
been described based on favorable Examples, the
embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to Examples
and various modifications can be made. In Examples, the
15 raw material plant of the plant-derived water-soluble
viscous substance was used alone. However, similar
flocculation performance can be obtained by using the raw
material plant of the plant-derived water-soluble viscous
substance in combination as appropriate.
20 It should be noted that the present disclosure may
also take the following configurations.
[1] «Flocculant Mixture »
A flocculant mixture, comprising:
a polymer flocculant formed of an anionic polymer
25 flocculant and/or a nonionic polymer flocculant; and
a plant-derived water-soluble viscous substance,
wherein
a value of (VC0/VCi) is less than 15, where VC0 is
viscosity obtained' when 0.5% by mass of the polymer
30 flocculant is dissolved in water having electric
conductivity of not more than 200 uS/cm, and VCi is
t
* 21
SP345574XX00
viscosity obtained when 0.5% by mass of the polymer
flocculant is dissolved in water having electric
conductivity of not more than 200 uS/cm and 2% by mass of
sodium nitrate is dissolved therein'.
5 [2] The flocculant mixture according to [1], in which
the flocculant mixture has an angle of repose of not
more than 60°.
[3] The flocculant mixture according to [1] or [2], in
which
10 • a mass ratio of .(the polymer flocculant/the plantderived
water-soluble viscous substance) is 20/1 to 1/20.
[4] The flocculant mixture according to any one of [1]
to [3], in which
the plant-derived water-soluble viscous substance
15 includes at least one material selected from a group
consisting of mulukhiyah, jute mallow, jute, malabar
spinach, okinawan spinach, banana, okra, Japanese
mountain yam, cactus, kelp, sporophyll of Wakame, and
gulfweed.
20 [5] The flocculant mixture according to any one of [1]
to [3], in which
the plant-derived water-soluble viscous substance
contains a heteropolysaccharide.
[6] The flocculant mixture according to any one of [1]
25 to [3], in which
the plant-derived water-soluble viscous substance
contains a glycoprotein.
[7] The flocculant mixture according to any one of [1]
to [3], in which
30 the plant-derived water-soluble viscous substance
includes a flocculating material.
22
SP345574XX00
I • • '
[8] «Flocculation Method »
A flocculation method, comprising:
adding a flocculant mixture to a suspension, the
flocculant mixture including
5 a polymer flocculant formed of an anionic
polymer flocculant and/or a nonionic polymer flocculant,
and
a plant-derived water-soluble viscous substance,
wherein
10 a value of (VC0/VCi) is less than 15,
where VCo is viscosity obtained when 0.5% by mass of the
polymer flocculant is dissolved in water having an
electrical conductivity of not more than 200 uS/cm, and
VCi is viscosity obtained when 0.5% by mass of the
15 polymer flocculant is dissolved in water, having an
electrical conductivity of not more than 200 uS/cm and 2%
by mass of sodium nitrate is dissolved therein; and
flocculating and separating particles in the
suspension.
20 [9] The flocculation method according to [8], in which
the flocculant mixture has an angle of repose of not
more than 60°.
[10] The flocculation method according to [8] or [9], in
which
25 a mass ratio of (the polymer flocculant/the plantderived
water-soluble viscous substance) is 20/1 to 1/20.
[11] The flocculation method according to any one of [8]
to [10], in which
The suspension has an electrical conductivity of not
30 less than 500 uS/cm.
[12] The flocculation method according to any one of [8]
. * 23
SP345574XX00
i • • •
to [11], in which
the plant-derived water-soluble viscous substance
includes at least one material selected from a group
consisting of mulukhiyah, jute mallow, jute, malabar
5 spinach, okinawan spinach, banana, okra, Japanese
mountain yam, cactus, kelp, sporophyll .of Wakame, and
gulfweed.
[13] The flocculation method according to any one of [8]
to [11], in which
10 the plant-derived water-soluble viscous substance
contains a heteropolysaccharide.
[14] The flocculation method according to any one of [8]
to [11], in which
the plant-derived water-soluble viscous substance
15 contains a glycoprotein.
[15] The flocculation method according to any one of [8]
to [11], in which
the plant-derived water-soluble viscous substance
includes a flocculating material.
20 The present disclosure contains subject matter
related to that disclosed in Japanese Priority Patent
Application JP 2012-145018 filed in the Japan Patent
Office on June 28, 2012, the entire content of which is
hereby incorporated by reference.
25 It should be understood by those skilled in the art
that various modifications, combinations, subcombinations
and alterations may occur depending on
design requirements and other factors insofar as they are
within the scope of the appended claims or the
30 equivalents thereof.
' 24

SP345574XX00
What is claimed is:
1. A flocculant mixture, comprising:
a polymer flocculant formed of an anionic polymer
flocculant and/or a nonionic polymer flocculant; and
5 a plant-derived water-soluble viscous substance,
wherein
a value of (VC0/VCi) is less than 15, where VCo is
viscosity obtained when 0.5% by mass of the polymer
flocculant is dissolved in water having electric
10 conductivity of not „more than 200 uS/cm, and VCi is
viscosity obtained when 0.5% by mass of the polymer
flocculant is dissolved in water having electric
conductivity of not more than 200 uS/cm and 2% by mass of
sodium nitrate is dissolved therein.
15 2. The flocculant mixture according to claim 1, wherein
the flocculant mixture has an angle of repose of not
more than 60°.
3. The flocculant mixture according to claim 1, wherein
a mass ratio of (the polymer flocculant/the plant-
20 derived water-soluble viscous substance) is 20/1 to 1/20.
4. The flocculant mixture according to claim 1, wherein
the plant-derived water-soluble viscous substance
includes at least one material selected from a group
consisting of mulukhiyah, jute mallow, jute, malabar
25 spinach, okinawan spinach, banana, okra, Japanese
mountain yam, cactus, kelp, sporophyll of Wakame, and
gulfweed.
5. The flocculant mixture according to claim 1, wherein
the plant-derived water-soluble viscous substance
30 contains a heteropolysaccharide.
6. The flocculant mixture according to claim 1, wherein
' 25
I
SP345574XX00
the plant-derived water-soluble viscous substance
contains a glycoprotein.
7. The flocculant mixture according to claim 1, wherein
the plant-derived water-soluble viscous substance
5 includes a flocculating material.
8. A flocculation method, comprising:
adding a flocculant mixture to a suspension, the
flocculant mixture including
a polymer flocculant formed of an anionic
10 polymer flocculant and/or a nonionic polymer flocculant,
and
a plant-derived water-soluble viscous substance,
wherein
a value of (VC0/VCi) is less than 15,
15 where VCo is viscosity obtained when 0.5% by mass of the
polymer flocculant is dissolved in water having an
electrical conductivity of not more than 200 uS/cm, and
VCi is viscosity obtained when 0.5% by mass of the
polymer flocculant is dissolved in water having an
20 electrical conductivity of not more than 200 uS/cm and 2%
by mass of sodium nitrate is dissolved therein; and
flocculating and separating particles in the
suspension.
9. The flocculation method according to claim 8,
25 wherein
the flocculant mixture has an angle of repose of not
more than 60°.
10. The flocculation method according to claim 8,
wherein
30 a mass ratio of (the polymer flocculant/the plantderived
water-soluble viscous substance) is 20/1 to 1/20.
* 26
i
SP345574XX00
i .
11. The flocculation method according to claim 8,
wherein
The suspension has an electrical conductivity of not
less than 500 uS/cm.