Florida Drinking Water Operator "B" Practice Test

What impact does increasing the speed of mixers in a flocculation basin typically have?

1. Improves chemical reactions

2. Enhances floc formation

3. Creates excessive turbulence

4. Decreases energy consumption

The correct answer is: Creates excessive turbulence

Increasing the speed of mixers in a flocculation basin generally creates excessive turbulence, which can have a negative impact on the flocculation process. While mixing is essential to ensure proper distribution of chemicals and equalization of particle contacts, excessive turbulence can break apart the forming flocs, preventing them from agglomerating into larger particles. This is critical because the formation of larger flocs is necessary for effective settling later in the treatment process. If mixing speeds are too high, the gentle collisions required for floc growth may be disrupted, leading to smaller, less effective flocs that do not settle as well during subsequent sedimentation phases. Thus, managing mixer speeds is crucial to balance adequate mixing while avoiding excessive turbulence that can hinder the overall treatment efficiency in water quality management.