Dehydration of flocs by freezing

A conceptual model was developed to explain the freeze/thaw conditioning pr ocess. This process transforms difficult-to-dewater residuals into a slurry of granular particles (zots) from which water readily drains. The conceptu al model states that the most important effect of freezing and thawing is t he removal of surface water from the colloidal particles comprising the flo c. In addition to creating a drier floc, this dehydration may also explain the irreversibility of the process: dehydration causes the particles to com e into close contact, at which point a new bond forms. Formation of a new b ond explains the strength and granularity of the tots.