Polymer Enhanced Water Clarification Applied Polymer Systems, Inc. .

Polymer EnhancedWater Clarification

Applied Polymer Systems, Inc.Applied Polymer Systems, Inc.www.siltstop.com www.siltstop.com

Course Overview• Note: Floc Logs and Pond Logs referred to in this course are also

known as polymer blocks in the industry. Silt Stop Powder is also know as polyacrylamide powder or emulsion.

• Common definitions used in the erosion, sediment control, and water clarification industry

• Quick Review of the Fundamentals of Polymer Enhancement• Floc Logs: Facts and Application Rates• Polymer Enhanced Storm Water Treatment• Polymer Enhanced Water Clarification• Polymer Enhanced Particle Collection• Polymer Enhanced Treatment of Geothermal Well Discharge• Toxicity Testing• Sample Analysis• Rules for Polymer Use

Definitions

Anionic Polymer: A negatively charged polymer.

Acute Hypoxia: Occurs when cationic polymers attach to the negatively charged gill plates of aquatic organisms causing them to suffocate.

Best Management Practice (BMP): A measure that is implemented to protect water quality and reduce the potential for pollution associated with storm water runoff.1

Cationic Polymer: A positively charged polymer.

LC50: The toxicant concentration that is lethal to 50 percent of exposed organisms at a specific time of observation. 2

Definitions

NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units): “The standard unit of measurement for turbidity in water analysis.”3 Turbidity: “A measure of the amount of material suspended

in the water. Increasing the turbidity of the water decreases the amount of light that penetrates the water column. High levels of turbidity are harmful to aquatic life.”4 NTU measures all particulate, including particles less than 0.45 microns .

Polyacrylamide (PAM):A water soluble polymer used in water clarification and erosion, sediment, and dust control.

Polymer: “A macromolecule formed by the chemical union of five or more identical combining units called monomers.“5

TSS (Total Suspended Solids): is a measurement of sediment particles 0.45 microns and larger.

Definitions Blinding Off: This occurs when sediment coats the outside

of a polymer log, preventing it from continuing to react with the turbid water. This usually happens in hard water or in the presence of more than 4% solids.

Acronyms

Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research LaboratoryNWISRLNWISRLKimberlyKimberly, ID, ID

United States Department of Agriculture

United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service

Quick Review of the Fundamentals of

Polymer Enhancement:

Why We Need PAMHow is Sediment Harmful

How Polymer Enhancement WorksMetal and Nutrient

Reduction

Why We Need PAMHow is Sediment Harmful?

To get some perspective, drinking water is less than 1 NTU.

Without Federal guidelines, 1,000 NTU water could be discharged into lakes and streams, destroying aquatic ecosystems

At 1,000 NTU, we see reduced growth, reduced feeding rates, delayed hatching rates, and, even, death. Image from City of Calgary Drainage & Dewatering FAQ’s

0.3 NTU 991 NTU

This study shows why the EPA effluent guidelines and rules and regulations for discharge limits are so important. Even in low turbidity conditions (10 – 100 NTUs), aquatic organisms start to show signs of stress.

Image from Lake Superior Duluth Streams.org Water Quality: TSS & Turbidity site

How is Sediment Harmful?

How Polymer Enhancement Works

This is a schematic depiction of the interactions of anionic PAM with charged soil particles in the presence of calcium. 6

The negatively charged anionic polymer attaches to the negatively charged soil particle by bridging with something having a 2+ charge, such as Calcium, in the soil.


Flocculation occurs when the polymer binds to the suspended soil in the water column, forming larger, heavier particulate that settles out of the water column, leaving the water clarified.


Flocculated particulate being captured by jute matting.

Clean water discharging from a site.

Metal & Nutrient Removal with Floc Logs

Like sediment,

metals by themselves can be very light and stay suspended in the water column.

When they become bound through flocculation, they form heavier flocs that can settle out of the water column.

This slide shows the reduction of metals from a wash plant in Canada.

Sample Analysis

A sample analysis needs to be done before any application of polymers in order to determine the best product for that site.

Polymers are site specific and not “one size fits all”.

A sample analysis from Applied Polymer Systems

Floc Logs: Facts and Application

Rates

Floc Logs: Just the Facts

Floc Logs:

are designed for use in flowing conditions for treating turbid water to remove suspended sediment.

must demonstrate 95% or better NTU reduction based on initial test reports.

should be placed as close to the source of the turbid flowing water as possible.

are designed to work with turbid water that contains 4% or less solids. If the sediment load of the water is larger than this limit, a grit pit or settling tank may needed to encourage primary settling before treatment.

are toxicity tested by an independent third party EPA certified lab and are shown to be non-toxic to fish or other aquatic organisms.

Floc Logs: Application Rates

One Floc Log will treat about 430,000 gallons.

For maintenance, use one log per one million gallons of water.

The number of logs is determined by the flow rate of the water and the volume of water being treated.

The length of the mixing portion of the treatment system is determined by the flow rate and reaction time required for the polymer.

Floc Logs: Application RatesRough Approximations For Determining the Number of Floc Logs Needed Based on the Floc Log Reaction Time to the GPM of the

System.

1.Use the chart to determine the GPM for the Reaction.

2.Take the pumping GPM and divide it by the GPM obtained from the chart.

Example: Expected Flow Rate: 1300

GPM Reaction Time: 50 seconds From Chart: Reaction GPM: 40 Number of Floc Logs needed

will be: 1300 / 40 = 33

Reaction Time (seconds)

Gallons Per Minute

15-30 70

30-45 50-60

45-60 40

60-75 40-30

75-90 20-30

Polymer Enhanced Storm Water Treatment:

Storm Drains

Down Drains

Closed Pipe Systems

Polymer Enhanced Storm Water Treatment Storm Drains

Inserting site-specific Floc Log at drop inlets within the storm-drain system will create a passive treatment system.

Securing Floc Logs within the pipe, as close to the source of turbidity as possible, allows the water to mix with the site-specific polymer blend and begin reacting with the suspended sediment.

Turbidity of the water should not exceed 4% solids.

Polymer Enhanced Storm Water Treatment Down Drains – Side View

Work Area

Soft Armor around mouth of down drain will prevent erosion and undercutting

Down Drain

Polymer enhanced jute matting allows polymer reacted sediment to attach to the matting, creating a highly erosion-resistant surface and clarifying runoff water

Site-specific Floc Log placed in pipe, lower than the mouth of down drain

Silt Fence or Sediment Retention Barrier (SRB) for final clarification

Polymer Enhanced Storm Water Treatment Closed Pipe System

FLOW

Hole cut into pipe allows easy access to Floc Log

Floc Log

Floc Log rope tied off to secure in pipe

Floc Log Partial obstruction in pipe to increase mixing potential

Polymer Enhanced Water Clarification:

Dewatering Bag

Mixing and Dewatering Ditches

Mixing and Dewatering Split-Pipes

In-Stream Baskets

Tank Systems

Polymer Enhanced Water Clarification

Dewatering Bag

DO NOT use Polymer BEFORE a Dewatering Bag…The bag will blind off!

Dewatering bags reduce sediment being discharged during dewatering. The fine particulate that escapes can be flocculated and captured in the treatment train that follows the dewatering bag.


Dewatering BagThe end of the system is wider to create a dispersion zone for particle collection.

On bare soil, the treatment train is covered with geo-textile fabric to prevent erosion and collection of new soil.

The treatment train is covered with jute material and staked in place.



bales

Step 1: Create ditchThe ditch can be dug into the ground, or created by building up the walls with straw or hay bales.

Step 3: Lay Jute MattingThe jute matting provides a surface to collect the flocculated particulate.

Step 2: Line with commercial grade (4 mils or greater) plasticThe plastic sheeting is used to prevent the water being treated from picking up sediment and causing erosion.


Mixing and Dewatering DitchesStep 4: Place Floc LogsThe Floc Logs are positioned in a line at the top of the ditch, allowing the water to flow over and around them.

Step 5: Apply Silt Stop PowderSprinkling the correct site-specific Silt Stop powder over the jute matting in the bottom portion of the ditch will assist in final water clarification.



Polymer + Soil matrix forms an agglomeration

Logs should be applied close to the source of turbidity and in a ditch narrow enough for water to have contact with the Floc Logs.

MIXING IS KEY! If the ditch is made larger to accommodate higher flows then there needs to be enough logs in the system to accommodate the flows.


Mixing and Dewatering DitchesCase Study: Temporary Dewatering Ditch

Temporary dewatering systems, such as this one, made from hay bales and commercial grade plastic (4 mils or greater) provide an economical and easy solution.


Mixing and Dewatering DitchesCase Study: Temporary Dewatering

Ditch The top end of the ditch is made narrow so water is forced to flow over and around the logs, facilitating mixing and reaction. Mixing is key!

Commercial grade plastic covers the hay bales and ditch to prevent additional sediment from entering the dewatering treatment ditch and to prevent the water from seeping out between the hay bales.

Logs are placed in the upper 1/3 to 1/2 of the ditch.



Ditch The treatment ditch is wider at the bottom to slow down the velocity of the water.

Jute particle collection fabric is placed at the end of the treatment system to capture the polymer charged particles.



Ditch

Turbid water is pumped into the treatment system.



Ditch Mixing occurs in the narrow portion of the system where the water is forced to be in contact with the Floc Logs.

As the turbid water flows over and around the polymer logs, the log slowly dissolves and the polymer enters the turbid water where it mixes and reacts, charging the particles and creating flocculent.



Ditch

Once the polymer-charged particles, or flocs, have been formed, the jute fabric provides a fibrous surface to capture the flocs.

Jute or some other fibrous surface works best to capture flocculated particulate.



Ditch The untreated water was greater than 800 NTU.

After treatment, the discharge water was 2.1 NTU.

When they were finished, cleanup was quick and easy.


Dewatering Ditch Video


Mixing and Dewatering Split-Pipes This application can be

used for dewatering or recirculation treatment systems.

Overlap the split pipe segments so that the up-stream piece overlaps the down-stream piece. Seal the joints if needed

Checks can be placed along the split pipe to increase turbulence and mixing with the logs.

Lining with jute or similar matting will provide a place to capture flocculated sediment.

Polymer Enhanced Water

Clarification Mixing and Dewatering Split-pipes

In low flow situations, sand bags, rock checks, cinder blocks etc. can be used to facilitate mixing.

When jute matting is added to the system, the flocculated particulate has a surface on which to attach, allowing clean water to discharge.


In-Stream Baskets This is a wire basket

system designed to hold a number of Floc Logs and allow water to flow over and around them.

In-stream baskets are used on sites with high flow rates or sites where diversion of the water is not feasible, such as storm water ditch and drain cleanout projects.

Additional Floc Logs can be attached to the working equipment to provide additional dosing directly at the point of turbidity.


In-Stream Baskets Case Study: Leitner Creek Bypass CanalA 4400 foot long canal that

discharges into Estero Bay, an OFW (Outstanding Florida Waterbody).

Water levels vary from several inches to over four feet in depth.

Typical problems include:

High turbidity levels from cleanout efforts

Unsightly and lengthy turbidity plumes

Odor complaints as a result of organic sediment Beginning of project


In-Stream Baskets Case Study: Leitner Creek Bypass Canal

A box was designed and constructed to provide a movable mixing zone for the Floc Logs.


In-Stream Baskets Case Study: Leitner Creek Bypass Canal Several logs were

attached to the box so agitation and current flow would dissolve the polymer, releasing a low dosage of the polymer mix to react with the turbidity in the water.

This caused the mucky sediment to form floc material and chelating bridges between individual particles which formed larger, heavier clumps of sediment that settled out with gravity.



Turbidity values in the work area ranged between 423 - 1,000 NTUs.

To prevent the reacted particles from escaping the canal, particle curtains were installed.

Reacted particles attach to the surface of the particle curtains while allowing the water to flow through them.

Polymer Enhanced Water Clarification In-Stream Baskets

Case Study: Leitner Creek Bypass Canal



Two hundred (200) feet downstream of the work area, turbidity was down to 7.5 NTUs.

These levels continued to remain low and resisted re-suspension, so that even more than 1,000 feet downstream of the work area, turbidity levels remained in the range of 10 - 13.5 NTUs.



The polymer enhanced BMPs for this project maintained clear water discharges with NTU values within OFW requirements and significantly reduced odor and increased water clarity resulting in reduced complaints from area residents.

Polymer Enhanced Water ClarificationTank Systems

Tanks Systems: are designed to be portable and to perform in a

variety of flow conditions. are more efficient when enhanced by the use Floc

Logs.


Launder (pipe) needs to be long enough to meet the required reaction time as seen on the site-specific lab report.

Launder must be installed with a gradient drop that allows the turbid water to flow through it; higher sediment load will require a greater angle to allow the Floc Logs to mix effectively.


Treated water enters the tank where heavier, flocculated particles settle out or are captured by polymer charged particle curtains before the water leaves the tank.


Particle curtains are a simple, effective way to capture fine flocculated particulate. As the treated water flows through the curtains, the water gets progressively cleaner.

Polymer Enhanced Particle Collection:

Dispersion Field

Particle Curtains

Wattle/Checks System

Mixing Chamber with Baffle Grids

Polymer Enhanced Particle Collection

These BMPs (Best Management Practices) are intended for particle collection only.

They are not intended to be stand-alone BMPs, as they are not adequate sediment control by themselves.

These BMPs should be used with one of the storm water treatment systems as outlined in the previous section.


Dispersion Field

is where polymer treated water can spread out, slowing its velocity. Rip-rap, wattles, or checks can be placed to help reduce the velocity.

should be covered in jute matting and applied with the site-specific polymer powder to provide a surface for the particles to adhere and help in final clarification of the storm water.

The dispersion field:


Dispersion Field

With highly erosive soils, protection with geotextile or commercial grade plastic sheeting (4 mils or greater) may be necessary.

Jute, enhanced with polymer powder, becomes sticky and acts like flypaper to capture the sediment.


Particle Curtains

Particle curtains are a series of jute or coconut fabric “curtains” which are attached to floats and used in flowing waters, such as ponds and tanks systems, to collect fine particles after polymer reaction.


Particle Curtains

Notice the improvement in the water quality as it progresses through the particle curtains.


Wattle/Check System A series of wattles,

covered with jute matting, are placed perpendicular to the flow to create a series of checks that will trap sediment and collect particulate after polymer treatment.

Silt Stop Powder applied over the jute will react with the sediment, binding it together so it adheres to the jute matting.

Silt Stop Powder

Powder can be applied by hand or with a seed/fertilizer spreader.



This is a mixing chamber with polymer logs in place.

The chamber is designed in a serpentine fashion to maximize water flow and contact with the logs in a small space.


Mixing Chamber with Baffle Grids The reaction with

the polymer takes place in the mixing chamber (foreground).

The baffle grid system is intended for use as a final clarifier or polisher following a storm water treatment system (such as a mixing chamber, for example.)



A baffle grid is a series of panels, made of jute or similar fabric, used to collect fine particles from turbid water after a polymer reaction.

The panels can be treated with a site-specific polymer for short term increased performance and to aid in further water clarification.



The water becomes more clear as it flows through each baffle panel.

Polymer Enhanced Treatment of

Geothermal Well Discharge

Polymer Enhanced Treatment of Geothermal Well Discharge

Floc Logs are designed to work in turbid water (less than 4% solids), so it is imperative that the sediment laden water and drill cuttings from the geothermal drilling operation are first discharged into a grit pit where the heavy particulate can settle out.

Floc Logs are placed at the top of the mixing ditch.

Turbid water flows from the pit into the mixing ditch where it flows over the Floc Logs and flocculation can begin.

As the Floc Logs dissolve, the polymer blend binds to the sediment in the water.


Once the Floc Logs have reacted, flocculation begins immediately.


Fine particulate that has not already settled out, attaches to the polymer enhanced jute.

Enhancing the dispersion field with Silt Stop Powder enables maximum performance in the capture of fine particulates.

Clean water being discharged from the site at the end of the dispersion field.


Toxicity Testing

Toxicity Testing

The highlighted text indicates that toxicity testing of any polymer blend product should be “based on reasonable worst-case analysis”.

The idea is to test the whole product before it is applied to ensure that it is not toxic.

If the whole product is not toxic then any residual of the product would not be toxic.

Note: Floc Log testing was conducted using worst-case analysis. All toxicity tests were conducted using ASTM procedures at full chemical exposure.Chitosan tests were conducted using effluent after reaction filtration. This is not worst-case analysis and does not follow ASTM procedures.

Toxicity TestingExample of a Toxicity Report Done by a Third Party

EPA Certified Lab

The chart above shows the fathead minnow survival percentage as the Floc Log concentration is increased. As shown, there is an 77.5% survival rate of the minnows at 1,680 ppm Floc Log concentration.

The above chart compares the LC50 values of polymers commonly used in stormwater applications. The LC50 value is the lethal concentration where 50% of the population dies. As can be seen, Chitosan has extremely low LC50 values making it highly toxic.

Polymer LC50 Values (mg/L)Polymer D. magna 48 hr O. mykiss 96 hr P. promealas 96 hr

Al2Cl(OH)5 > 5000 390 517

DADMAC 17.5 0.49 1.65

Mimosa bark 258 No data 1.3

Chitosan 13.7 1.1 6.4

APS 706b Floc Log > 420 637 > 1680

APS 703d Floc Log 383 1900 No data

APS 712 Silt Stop 1617 No data > 6720

Toxicity TestingExample of a Toxicity Report Done by a Third Party

EPA Certified Lab

Toxicity Testing

Very little Chitosan was required to kill this fish.

A 0.001% solution is like putting 645 grains of salt, or 1/128th of a teaspoon, into one gallon of water.

Anionic Erosion and Water Clarification PAM based

polymers are FAR less toxic than Fungicides, Insecticides,

Rodenticides, Cationic Polymers, most Herbicides

and even Concentrated Fertilizers.

NWISRLNWISRLKimberly, IDKimberly, ID

Toxicity Testing

Sample Analysis

Sample Analysis

A sample analysis needs to be done before any application of polymers in order to determine the best product for that site.

Polymers are site specific and not “one size fits all”.

A sample analysis from Applied Polymer Systems

Rules for Polymer Use

1. Polymers must be anionic and non-toxic to aquatic organisms with an EPA certified toxicity report (whole product WET tests using ASTM guidelines).

2. Each site application must demonstrate 95% or better NTU reduction based on initial test reports.

3. Polymers are unique for each application. There is no “one type fits all”. Testing must be done!

Factors Affecting Floc Logs Poor or improper design (Plan in advance!!) Poor or improper application Polymer is wrong for the specific soil and water chemistries -

polymers are site specific! You must test the soil or water chemistry to determine the correct polymer product

Application rates are wrong Soil and landscape variability Temperature – reaction times are increased in colder

temperatures

References1International Erosion Control Association. Resources: Terms & Acronyms.

http://www.ieca.org/resources/Reference/DefinitionsAC.asp

2BioTox Laboratory. (2004, January). Report for chronic toxicity testing for Applied Polymer Systems Silt Stop 702 product. Retrieved from http://www.siltstop.com/pdf/tox/Chronic%20(minnow)%20702%2012-3-03.pdf

3McGowan, W. (2000). All about Water. Des Plaines, Illinois: Scranton Gillette Communications, Inc.

4International Erosion Control Association. Resources: Terms & Acronyms. http://www.ieca.org/resources/Reference/DefinitionsTZ.asp

5Lewis, R. J., Sr. (2007). Hawley's condensed chemical dictionary (15th ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons Inc.

6Orts, Sojka, and Glenn. 2002. Polymer Additives in Irrigation Water to Reduce Erosion and Better Manage Water Infiltration. Agro-Food Industry Hi-Tech. July/August, pp 37-41

References

Applied Polymer Systems. (2010, October). Applied Polymer Systems [Polymer Enhanced Best Management Practices Application Guide]. Retrieved from http://www.siltstop.com

Lewis, R. J., Sr. (2007). Hawley's condensed chemical dictionary (15th ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons Inc.

Minnesota Rural Water Association (Ed.). (2009). Minnesota water works operations manual. (Original work published 1994) Click Here

Moss, N., & Dymond, B. (n.d.). Flocculation: Theory & application. Click Here

Romøren, K., Thu, B. J., & Evensen, Ø. (2002, December). Immersion delivery of plasmid DNA II. A study of the potentials of a chitosan based delivery system in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fry. Journal of controlled release, 85(1-3), 215-225. doi:10.1016/S0168-3659(02)00278-X

Sojka, R. E., and Lentz, R. D. (1997). A PAM Primer: A brief history of PAM and PAM-related issues. pp. 1-12. Full Text

References

Stechemesser, H., & Dobias, B. (Eds.). (2005). Surfactant science series: Vol. 126. Coagulation and flocculation (2nd ed.). Boca Raton, Florida: Taylor & Francis. Click Here

USDA Agricultural Research Service. (2009, August 19). PAM research. Retrieved from United States Department of Agriculture website: http://www.ars.usda.gov/Research/docs.htm?docid=18850

University of Central Florida. (2010, October 19). Stormwater Management Academy. Retrieved from http://www.stormwater.ucf.edu/

USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). (2003). Chitosan: Poly-D-glucosamine (128930) Fact Sheet. Full Text

US EPA. (2008, November 21). Development Document for Proposed Effluent Guidelines and Standards for the Construction and Development Category. Full Text

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Wikipedia: Polymer. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymer

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