Koagulaatioaineet

Koagulaatioaineet, also known as coagulants, are substances that promote coagulation, the process by which blood or other fluids are converted into a solid or semi-solid mass. In medicine, this primarily refers to agents used to stop bleeding by accelerating the body's natural clotting mechanism. These substances can be administered externally to wounds or internally, often in the form of injections or intravenous infusions, to treat conditions like hemophilia or excessive bleeding during surgery. Common examples of coagulants used in a medical context include vitamin K, which is essential for the synthesis of clotting factors, and specific clotting factor concentrates that directly replace deficient factors in the blood.

In industrial and water treatment applications, coagulants are used to remove suspended impurities from liquids. They work by neutralizing the negative electrical charges on dispersed particles, causing them to aggregate into larger clumps called flocs. These flocs can then be more easily removed through sedimentation or filtration. Common industrial coagulants include aluminum sulfate (alum), ferric chloride, and various polyelectrolytes. The choice of coagulant depends on the specific impurities to be removed and the characteristics of the water or liquid being treated. Their use is crucial for producing clean drinking water and for treating wastewater before it is discharged into the environment.