GC: n
S: http://www.thewatertreatmentplants.com/flocculation.html (last access: 7 August 2015); http://water.me.vccs.edu/courses/ENV110/Lesson4_print.htm (last access: 7 August 2015).
N: 1. 1885, from flocculate (1877, from flocculus; 1799, from Modern Latin diminutive of Latin floccus “flock of wool”) + -ate (word-forming element used in forming nouns from Latin words ending in -atus, -atum; those that came to English via Old and Middle French often arrived with -at, but an -e was added after c.1400 to indicate the long vowel; the suffix also can mark adjectives, formed from Latin past participals in -atus, -ata; again, they often were adopted in Middle English as -at, with an -e appended after c.1400); related: Flocculated; flocculating; + -ion (suffix forming nouns of state, condition, or action from verbs, from Latin -ionem; nominative -io, genitive -ionis; sometimes via French -ion).
2. Separation of solid particles from a liquid to form loose aggregations or soft flakes. These flocculates are easily disrupted, being held together only by a force analogous to the surface tension of a liquid. In industrial processes, flocculation may be a desired or an undesirable phenomenon, and various methods may be used to cause or eliminate flocculates. Formation of flocculates is important in the operation of water supplies and sewage systems.
3. The formation of large separable particles by aggregation of colloidal and finely divided particles suspended in aqueous systems, aided by mechanical, physical, chemical or biological means.
4. In water and wastewater treatment, this agglomeration is done after coagulation by gentle stirring by either mechanical or hydraulic means. When coagulation is not used, as in biological wastewater treatments, it may be accomplished biologically.
5. flocculation: term standardized by ISO.
S: 1. OED – http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=FLOCCULATION&searchmode=none (last access: 3 September 2014); FCB. 2. EncBrit – http://global.britannica.com/science/flocculation (last access: 7 August 2015). 3, 4 & 5. TERMIUMPLUS.
SYN:
S:
CR: clarification, .
