Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Vol.249, No.1, 253-255, 2002
Coagulation-flocculation of beech condensate: Particles size distribution
Beech wood (Fagus sylvatica L.) condensate from a steaming operation was studied. The objective of our work was to study the precipitation of these wood extracts in presence of calcium ion after autoxidation at basic pH (8). The autoxidation was carried out at 250 rpm for 30 min, and flocculation was followed up for 30 min. An investigation with a laser sizer Mastersizer of Malvern has been done in order to study the influence of the agitation on the state of aggregation of the condensate. A negative correlation was observed between the mean size of particles and the agitation rate. Without stirring, flocculation rapidly occurred and the mean size of particles was high. Calcium-induced aggregation of the condensate was also found to be reversible toward agitation.