Floculant formulation based on chitosan compatible with disinfection products and method of preparation

A flocculant comprising:

• chitosan at a concentration less than or equal to 40% (w/w) as a dry basis,
• a first metal salt, a second metal salt and a third metal salt, wherein each of the first, second and third metal salts is selected from the group consisting of nitrates, chlorides, iodides, phosphates, carbonates, acetates, and sulfates, wherein a metal of each of the first, second and third metal salts is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, cobalt, manganese, chromium, nickel, iron, copper, silver, gold, and zinc, independently or in combination;
• an organic acid selected from the group consisting of formic, acetic, propionic, butyric, citric, lactic, carbonic acid, and a combination thereof;
• an inorganic acid selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric, nitric, phosphoric, sulfuric, hydrofluoric acid, and a combination thereof;
• and
• an alcohol selected from alcohols comprising C1-C12,
• wherein the flocculant is prepared by a method comprising:
• i) adding water at a temperature between 20-55° C. to the first metal salt and stirring until a uniform solution is formed;
• ii) adding the second metal salt, wherein the second metal salt is different from the first metal salt and stirring until a uniform solution is formed;
• iii) adding the third metal salt, wherein the third metal salt is different from the first and second metal salts and stirring until a uniform solution is formed;
• iv) adding the inorganic acid at a temperature between 15-30° C. and stirring until a uniform solution is formed;
• v) adding the alcohol and stirring until a uniform solution is formed controlling the temperature of the solution so that it is below 35° C.;
• vi) adding an organic acid and stirring until a uniform solution is formed or until the mixture is homogenized;
• vii) in a separate container with chitosan at a concentration of approximately 60-90% w/w, slowly incorporating into the mixture obtained in said vi);
• and
• viii) continuing stirring until a homogeneous product with a granular appearance is formed.