What factor, along with stirring time and intensity, is essential for proper floc formation?

The essential factor for proper floc formation, along with stirring time and intensity, is uniform mixing. Uniform mixing ensures that the coagulants are evenly distributed throughout the water, allowing for optimal contact with the particles that need to be agglomerated. This consistent distribution is critical for the flocculation process, as it encourages particles to collide and stick together, forming larger aggregates known as flocs.

When mixing is uniform, every particle has an equal opportunity to interact with coagulants, leading to the effective formation of flocs. A lack of uniformity in mixing can result in uneven coagulant distribution, which may hinder the floc formation process, leading to suboptimal treatment outcomes and inefficient settling of particles in subsequent processes.

In essence, without uniform mixing, the coagulants may not perform their function effectively, which is crucial in water treatment systems to ensure that contaminants are effectively removed.