Conclusion
In this study, Mg-sericite successfully removed > 98% of organic/inorganic substances in brewery wastewater. The removal of organic/inorganic substances from brewery wastewater using Mg-sericite can therefore be understood in the general sense as a physical flocculation process in which materials adhere to the surface of a different material and accumulate on the surface. Weak forces cause the adhesion, no chemical bonds are formed and the adhesion is purely physical. This form of physical flocculation is known as physisorption flocculation. The flocculated substance forms no chemical bonds with the surface, but rather adheres by weak van der Waals forces similar to the adhesion. In particular, specially treated Mg-sericite with highly positive edges coagulates with negatively charged organic/inorganic matter by charge neutralization and quickly sediments by flocculating the Mg-sericite particles and organic/inorganic substances, preferably using metal salts as bridging systems. The low dose requirement and high removal effect are distinct advantages of Mg-sericite over commonly used flocculants.