The effects of the composite flocculant, polyaluminium chloride and poly dimethyldiallylammonium chloride (PACl-PDMDAAC) in comparison with PACl on coagulation efficiencies and membrane fouling in coagulation-ultrafiltration (C-UF) process were analysed, which was conducted in the conditions of different basicity (B) values and the presence of Mg2+. Results showed that PACl-PDMDAAC enhanced the ability of charge neutralization and absorption bridging, and improved the coagulation efficiency. When B value was 1.5, the flocculant hydrolyzed to form more Alb morphology and effectively removed HA molecules. The presence of Mg2+ could improve the coagulation performance through bridging ability. The results of the ultrafiltration test showed that the flux reduction for PACl was 70%, while the flux reduction for PACl-PDMDAAC was 60% in C-UF process. PACl-PDMDAAC could effectively reduce membrane fouling mainly by reducing strongly attached cake/gel layer. When B value was 1.5, the Alb content of the flocculant was higher and the ability of adsorption charge neutralization was strong, resulting in forming a stable cake layer. Therefore, the membrane fouling was the lightest. In addition, the presence of Mg2+ in raw water reduced the membrane fouling.
Keywords: Coagulation; basicity; composite flocculant; membrane fouling; ultrafiltration.