AWWA ACE90040

This paper discusses how mixing conditions influence the fate of the aluminum hydrolysis species. This article draws on literature in the field to discuss aluminum chemistry, hydrolysis kinetics, and polymerization kinetics. Some background on mixing and mixing models, particularly the Interaction by Exchange with the Mean model (IEM) is given. Experiments explored rapid base hydrolysis of aluminum using a stopped flow apparatus and the influence of mixing conditions on the speciation of aluminum hydrolysis/polymerization when aluminum solutions are neutralized using a base. IEM computer simulations were carried out for the same conditions as the experiments, not to provide an exact match in the results but to provide information on possible trends so that some general conclusions could be made. Conclusions are given in the context of previously published studies.