Coagulation

Let’s begin by defining the term “coagulation.” Coagulation is one of the many features displayed by colloidal solutions, according to the broad definition. A colloid is a heterogeneous mixture of one material with very small particles scattered in another substance (dispersed phase) (dispersion medium).

Coagulation is a chemical reaction that causes non-stable particles to become more stable. With the help of a coagulant, these particles clump together. Colloidal particles and very fine solid suspensions found in wastewater clump together to form bigger agglomerates that can be separated using various separation procedures.

Applications of Coagulation

  • Coagulation is also known as fragmentation which plays a critical roles in a variety of technological and/or fundamental scientific processes. Several scientific disciplines are affected by this phenomenon

  • In the industrial operations of aerosol, the formation of nanoparticles are carried by coagulation

  • Coagulation and breakage are related to rain production in meteorological sciences, as well as the size distribution of asteroids and planet formation in astrophysics

  • The cell division process can be regarded as a spontaneous breakage process in biotechnology. Other processes in which breaking is a key mechanism include solids size reduction (e.g., crushing, milling, grinding), while coagulation is crucial in crystallisation, precipitation, palletisation, and granulation

  • In home and industrial wastewater treatment plants, coagulation is frequently employed to remove suspended materials. Coagulation is usually followed by flocculation in the treatment of water

  • Their colloidal solutions are created using some unique techniques. Lyophobic sols are a type of lyophobic sol. Colloidal solutions of this type always have a charge attached to them. The stability of colloidal sols is determined by the charge existing on them. If the charge on the sol can be removed, the particles become closer to one another, forming aggregates that precipitate under gravity. Coagulation or precipitation is the term for the process of particles accumulating and settling down

  • Coagulation is a chemical process that neutralises charges and creates a gelatinous material that traps (or bridges) particles and allows them to settle or be trapped in a filter

  • Although the terms “coagulation” and “flocculation” are sometimes interchanged, they relate to two separate processes. Coagulation and flocculation are frequently used together

  • Coagulation is frequently performed by adding different types of chemicals (coagulants) to wastewater to encourage destabilisation of the colloid dispersion and agglomeration of the resulting individual colloidal particles

Techniques of Coagulation

The process of coagulation can be carried out in the following ways:

By electrophoresis: In this method, the colloidal particles are forced to move towards the oppositely charged particles, and then they are discharged and collected at the bottom.

By combining two oppositely charged sols: This type of coagulation involves mixing equal numbers of oppositely charged particles, which balance out their charges and precipitate.

 By boiling: When we boil a sol, the molecules of the dispersion medium collide with each other and with the surface, causing the adsorption layer to become disrupted. This lowers the charge on the sol, causing the particles to settle.

 Persistent dialysis: Parts of electrolytes are fully eliminated during persistent dialysis, causing the sol to lose its stability and eventually coagulate.

Coagulation of lyophilic solutions:

The stability of lyophilic solutions is determined by the two criteria listed below.

Colloidal particles with a charge and colloidal particles are dissolved in water.

Only lyophilic sols can be coagulated when the above two criteria are removed. An electrolyte or suitable solvent can be used to do this.

Lyophilic colloid coagulation:

 Lyophobic sols are less stable than lyophilic colloid coagulation. As a result, they coagulate more easily.

The only reason for the stability of lyophobic sol is the charge on the colloidal particles. Only electrolytes can be used to eliminate this issue. In pharmacology, coagulation is used to control the bleeding of blood.

Coagulation factors

There are 13 coagulation factors namely:

  • Factor I (fibrinogen)

  • Factor II (prothrombin)

  • Factor III (tissue thromboplastin or tissue factor)

  • Factor IV (ionized calcium)

  • Factor V (labile factor or proaccelerin)

  • Factor VII (stable factor or proconvertin)

  • Factor VIII (antihemophilic factor).

  • Factor IX (plasma thromboplastin component or the Christmas factor)

  • Factor X (Stuart-Prower factor)

  • Factor XI (plasma thromboplastin antecedent)

  •  Factor XII (Hageman factor)

  • Factor XIII (fibrin-stabilizing factor)

Conclusion

The formation of precipitate because of the settlement of the aggregated colloidal particles is known as coagulation. In medical field the process of coagulation is very important as it forms blood clot by conversion of blood from liquid to get preventing blood loss. There exists 13 different types of coagulation factors. The opposite charge of colloidal particles is carried by coagulation ion.

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