RapiSand ™
Ballasted Flocculation System
RapiSand™ Ballasted Flocculation RapiSand offers the benefits of conventional
treatment, at 1/20 the size.
Process Description
RapiSand™ Ballasted Flocculation is a Four-Step Process:
Why Choose RapiSand™? 1. Coagulation: Raw water is mixed with coagulant
in the coagulation basin.
The WesTech RapiSand ballasted flocculation system is 20 MGD
a high-rate clarification process combining rapid mixing Coagulation Basin Drive RapiSand™ 2. Flocculation: Coagulated water is mixed
and multi-stage flocculation, followed by sedimentation. with polymer and recycled microsand in each of two
RapiSand sedimentation is extremely fast, with rise Hydrocyclone Unit flocculation basins.
Clarification
rates exceeding 13 gpm/ft2, and can be applied in a 3. Clarification: The flocculated water flows into
wide variety of suspended solids removal applications. 20 MGD Conventional Treatment 20 MGD Solids
the clarification basin where the floc settles and the clarified
Typical advantages of the RapiSand include expanding Contact Clarifier water passes up through tube settlers. Clarified water
plant capacity, minimizing plant footprint, providing fast exits the system by way of an outlet launder.
start-up capabilities, and providing great performance
4. Separation: Settled floc and sand are collected
characteristics. RapiSand may be the answer to your and pumped to the hydrocyclone where the sand is
suspended solids process needs. separated from the solids. The solids are sent to waste
and the recovered sand is returned to the first floccula-
tion basin.
Applications
The microsand has a specific gravity of 2.6 and is mixed
• NTU/TSS Removal with the polymer and coagulated solids to form a dense
• TOC Removal ballasted floc. Total flocculation time is typically eight
• Tertiary Phosphorus Removal minutes, which is a fraction of the time required in a
• RO Pretreatment conventional flocculation system. In the clarification
step, ballasted floc settles at rates that are up to 35 times
• Color Removal
faster than conventional sedimentation. Total detention
• CSO Treatment time in the RapiSand system is typically 15 minutes from
• Cooling Tower Makeup start to finish.
• Algae Removal
RapiSand can decrease the footprint of a traditional
• Boiler Feed Makeup flocculation and sedimentation system by more than
• Industrial Process Water 95%, depending on the application.
• Pump Seal Water
• Filter Backwash
• Surface Water Pretreatment
Outlet
Settling with Sand
Flocculation Basin 1
The picture below shows two identical jar test samples
containing raw water of 150 NTU turbidity. Both samples
were treated with the same dose of chemical coagulant
Flocculation Basin 2
and polymer, then a dose of fine silica sand was added Clarifier
to the jar on the [Link] mixing, the RapiSand floc
settled much faster. This is the essence of the RapiSand SOLIDS TO WASTE
ballasted flocculation system. HYDROCYCLONE
POLYMER IN RECYCLED SAND
MIXER 1 MIXER 2 MIXER 3
Process Benefits COAGULANT IN
Small Footprint: RapiSand can decrease the footprint of the RAW WATER INLET
sedimentation system by as much as 95%.
Quick Start-up: Plants can be operational in as little as 15 PLATESETTLER/
minutes from start-up. TUBE SETTLER
Stable Process: Will handle large spikes in raw water turbidity. COAGULATION FLOC FLOC OUTLET
SCRAPER
BASIN BASIN 1 BASIN 2
Performance: Typical outlet turbidity is <2 NTU.
Conventional Floc vs. RapiSand Floc
After 10 sec. of settling time on bench-scale test. CLARIFICATION BASIN
RECYCLE PUMP
Trailer-mounted pilot unit available for lease.
Tel: 801.265.1000
[Link]
info@[Link]
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA © WesTech Engineering, LLC 2023
