flocculation

American  

[flahk-yuh-lay-shuhn] / flɑk yəˈleɪ ʃən /

noun

1. Chemistry. the process of forming or being formed into flocculant masses, especially the aggregation of suspended clay particles as useful for improving the plasticity of the clay.

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flocculation Scientific  

/ flŏk′yə-lā′shən /

1. The process by which individual particles of clay aggregate into clotlike masses or precipitate into small lumps. Flocculation occurs as a result of a chemical reaction between the clay particles and another substance, usually salt water.

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Other Word Forms

• deflocculation noun
• reflocculation noun

Example Sentences

The sprayed clay technique, called flocculation, was most recently used by Sarasota’s Mote Marine Laboratory in 2018 to combat saltwater red tide, which is also caused by a toxin-producing microorganism.

From Washington Times • Sep. 19, 2020

At the Fort Peck water treatment plant, Missouri River water goes through a multi-step process including chemical treatment, coagulation, flocculation, maturation, sedimentation, clarification and disinfection.

From The Guardian • Aug. 30, 2018

Harvesting typically involves separation of the algae by sedimentation or flocculation, followed by filtration or centrifugation to remove the unwanted water.

From Nature • Aug. 15, 2012

Conceivably, proteins involved in flocculation could be introduced and manipulated to respond to a particular growth state, as demonstrated in industrial strains of yeast.

From Nature • Aug. 15, 2012

This flocculation or aggregation of the fine clay-particles, when mixed with water by lime, is strikingly demonstrated by adding to some muddy water a little lime-water.

From Manures and the principles of manuring by Aikman, Charles Morton