Removal of Perfluorooctanoate from Water by Polyaluminium Chloride Coagulation

The removal of perfluorooctanoate （PFOA） and turbidity from model solution by coagulation was investigated. A polyaluminum chloride (PACl) was used as a coagulant in the coagulation process. The effects of coagulant dose, slow mixing time, solution pH value and initial turbidity on the removal of both PFOA and turbidity from water were studied. It was found that the removal rate of PFOA in water increase along with the increase in slow mixing time, initial turbidity and PAC dose. The removal rate of PFOA is more effective at the near neutral solution pH values and the high initial turbidity. The removal percents of PFOA exceed 80% at the optimal condition. The removal mechanism was speculated to be the electrostatic interaction and hydrophobic interaction in coagulation process.