Dispersants

Definition

Polymer-based chemistries that reduce particle adhesion and agglomeration by adsorbing onto particle surfaces and creating charge or steric repulsion.

They keep particles small and mobile so they remain available for filtration capture, but they do not remove solids themselves. They can also destabilize existing deposits and lift settled material back into suspension, exposing hidden surfaces. A temporary turbidity spike after increasing dispersant often signals success, since deposits are being converted into removable particles.

Related concepts

Sidestream Filtration · Agglomeration · Turbidity

---

Part of The Blueprint of Water · 🧪 chemistry