Definition of flocculate in English:
flocculate
verb ˈflɒkjʊleɪtˈfläkyəˌlāt
technical Form or cause to form into small clumps or masses.
no object it tends to flocculate in high salinities
with object both units contain magnets that are claimed to flocculate algae
Example sentencesExamples
- When the bitumen emulsion is in contact with the surface of the mineral aggregate, bitumen droplets must preferentially flocculate onto the mineral surface if the emulsion is to break and spread over the surface.
- Syneresis cracks can develop in clays that have flocculated before settling.
- These can be flocculated forming a High Density Sludge which once settled can give a relatively clear overflow, which is discharged to the rivers (the HDS process).
- The property of cation exchange in clays is used in a common agricultural process whereby the dispersed mineral fabric of a heavy clay soil is flocculated by the addition of calcium to improve the workability.
- By causing soil particles to flocculate - bunch together - some chemicals improve the soil structure in order to combat the effects of compaction.
Derivatives
nounflɒkjʊˈleɪʃ(ə)n
technical Several previous reports have dealt with the experimental and theoretical aspects of depletion aggregation, often termed depletion flocculation, as applied to the general field of colloid chemistry.
Example sentencesExamples
- The input of fluvial waters into either brackish or marine waters suggests that flocculation may have been a significant mechanism responsible for the deposition of the clay-sized suspended fraction in such environments.
- A significant portion of these pollutants is deposited in the sediment by adsorption, flocculation and sedimentation, constituting potential sources of chemical contamination of the water column.
- At periods of slack water, increased mixing of the saline wedge with fluvial waters from the distributary channel decreases effluent outflow rates, accelerating flocculation of clay particles and their deposition from suspension.
- It is known that liposomes (used as drug carriers) can be modified with poloxamers to prolong their circulation time in the blood stream as well as to prevent their flocculation, fusion, or binding.
Origin
Late 19th century: from modern Latin flocculus 'floccule' + -ate3.