In the simplest terms, an API is the component of a medication that produces the intended therapeutic effect. While APIs are crucial, they are only part of the complex puzzle that constitutes a pharmaceutical product. A complete medication can include various excipients—substances that serve as vehicles for the active ingredients, ensuring proper delivery, stability, and performance of the drug.
Coagulation and flocculation are fundamental processes in water treatment used for removing suspended solids. Coagulants, such as aluminum sulfate (alum) and ferric chloride, neutralize the charges of suspended particles in water, causing them to clump together. This aggregation forms larger particles or flocs, which can then be removed more easily. Flocculants, on the other hand, are polymers that aid in forming larger flocs and enhancing sedimentation.