Choosing a flocculant for your swimming pool: Which type is most effective?

To ensure the cleanliness and clarity of pool water, water quality management in swimming pools is always a crucial concern. To achieve this goal, various methods and treatment approaches can be employed, with the selection of the appropriate coagulant being particularly important. Different flocculants have varying effects on the removal of suspended particles and impurities in pool water. So, which flocculant should be chosen, and how do you select the right one?

To address this issue, it is essential to rely on coagulants for pool water treatment. Typically, inorganic coagulants such as polyaluminum chloride (PAC) are chosen. By adding flocculants to swimming pool water, the chemical components in the flocculant adsorb, coagulate, or neutralize fine particles, gradually merging them into larger particles that can easily settle at the bottom of the pool.

Once these fine particles have been coagulated and stabilized, they can be easily removed from the pool bottom using vacuuming or other cleaning methods, thereby maintaining the water’s cleanliness and transparency. Therefore, the use of coagulants is essential in the cleaning and maintenance of swimming pools, ensuring water quality and safety, and providing a better swimming experience for pool users.

As a flocculant for swimming pool water, polyaluminum chloride (PAC) exists in colloidal form in the water, with a large surface area and strong adsorption properties, allowing it to precipitate a significant amount of charged colloidal particles in the water, thus purifying the water. The formation of colloidal particles is based on some degree of hydrolysis and polymerization reactions occurring in polyaluminum chloride. Proper use of this flocculant is also a crucial step in settling swimming pool water when using it for water treatment.

Why choose polyaluminum chloride as a pool flocculant？

Using polyaluminum chloride for wastewater treatment yields better results than traditional aluminum sulfate coagulants, while also saving 15-30% on water treatment costs. It coagulates rapidly, settles quickly, and can handle larger volumes of water compared to traditional aluminum sulfate.

The use of polyaluminum chloride in wastewater treatment can reduce the salt content in the wastewater, making it conducive to further ion exchange and improving wastewater purity. This flocculant is highly adaptable to various water sources and temperatures, surpassing other inorganic coagulants such as aluminum sulfate.

Compared to multiple inorganic coagulants, polyaluminum chloride has a lower alkali consumption, requiring less or no alkaline agents. It is suitable for a wide range of pH levels in water sources and can efficiently coagulate suspended particles at pH levels between 5.0 and 9.0. It has low corrosiveness, is easy to use, and does not cause excessive damage to pool facilities and pipelines. In comparison to aluminum sulfate, polyaluminum chloride has good solubility and dissolves easily in water, thus achieving a higher treatment effect.

How to use polyaluminum chloride for maximum effectiveness?

1. Coagulation treatment of pool water is typically done at the end of the night. After adding the coagulant, circulate the water again after 30 minutes to disperse the polyaluminum chloride throughout the water. After treatment, allow the pool water to settle for at least 6 hours before proceeding with vacuuming.
2. The optimal pH range for polyaluminum chloride is between 7.5 and 8.5. Under strong alkaline conditions, polyaluminum chloride exhibits better hydrogen bond bridging, aiding coagulation and settling. Therefore, it is essential to test and adjust the pH of the pool water before adding the coagulant.
3. The dosage is calculated based on the pool’s volume to ensure a flocculant concentration of 5-10 milligrams per liter. This is typically done 1 to 2 times a week, depending on the level of pool contamination.
4. The recommended dosage is 5-10 kilograms per 1000 cubic meters of water. When using polyaluminum chloride, dissolve solid PAC in water at a ratio of 1:3 to make a 2-3% solution, and evenly distribute it throughout the pool.

Special note: During rainfall, coagulation treatment is not recommended for outdoor pools as rain can disrupt the settling process, negatively affecting coagulation results.

In conclusion, the choice of flocculant for swimming pools is crucial. Therefore, it’s important to select the most suitable flocculant based on your needs and water quality conditions, ensuring the cleanliness and safety of pool water and creating an ideal swimming environment for enthusiasts.