Magnetic Coagulant Application for Rapid Solid-Liquid Separation in Industrial Process Water Clarification

Abstract

Efficient solid–liquid separation is a critical requirement in industrial process water clarification for maintaining water quality, improving operational efficiency, and reducing environmental discharge impacts. Conventional coagulation and sedimentation methods often require extended settling times and large treatment infrastructure, limiting their effectiveness in high-throughput industrial applications. The present study investigates the application of magnetic coagulants for rapid solid–liquid separation in industrial process water clarification under controlled operating conditions. The research focuses on evaluating coagulation efficiency, magnetic separation performance, floc formation behavior, and operational optimization associated with magnetically assisted clarification systems. Experimental analysis was conducted to examine the influence of coagulant dosage, magnetic particle concentration, pH, mixing intensity, magnetic field strength, and settling conditions on suspended solids removal and clarification efficiency. Results demonstrate that magnetic coagulants significantly enhance floc aggregation and accelerate separation through magnetic attraction mechanisms, resulting in rapid settling and substantial reduction in turbidity and particulate concentration. The study further reveals that optimized magnetic field application and coagulant conditions improve floc density, separation rate, and sludge compactness while reducing chemical consumption and retention time. Comparative assessment with conventional coagulation–sedimentation processes confirms the advantages of magnetic clarification systems, including faster treatment kinetics, reduced footprint requirements, and improved process controllability.