1.

0 INTRODUCTION

Coagulation / flocculation is the process of binding small particles in the water

together into larger, heavier clumps which settle out relatively quickly. The larger
particles are known as floc. Properly formed floc will settle out of water quickly in the
sedimentation basin, removing the majority of the water's turbidity.

In many plants, changing water characteristics require the operator to adjust

coagulant dosages at intervals to achieve optimal coagulation. Different dosages of
coagulants are tested using a jar test, which mimics the cond itions found in the
treatment plant. The first step of the jar test involves adding coagulant to the source
water and mixing the water rapidly (as it would be mixed in the flash mix chamber)
to completely dissolve the coagulant in the water. Then the water is mixed more
slowly for a longer time period, mimicking the flocculation basin conditions and
allowing the forming floc particles to cluster together. Finally, the mixer is stopped
and the floc is allowed to settle out, as it would in the sedimentation basin.

The type of source water will have a large impact on how often jar tests are
performed. Plants which treat groundwater may have very little turbidity to remove
are unlikely to be affected by weather-related changes in water conditions. As a
result, groundwater plants may perform jar tests seldom, if at all, although they can
have problems with removing the more difficult small suspended particles typically
found in groundwater. Surface water plants, in contrast, tend to treat water with a
high turbidity which is susceptible to sudden changes in water quality. Operators at
these plants will perform jar tests frequently, especially after rains, to adjust the
coagulant dosage and deal with the changing source water turbidity.

2.0 OBJECTIVE

1. To determine the optimum alum dose and pH for suspended solid

removal from water using jar test.
 2. To show the effectiveness of chemical treatment in a water treatment
facility.
3. To evaluate coagulation efficiency.
4. To determine the most effective dosage of the recommended
coagulants and
a. flocculants.
5. To selects the best chemical or best dosage to feed on the basis of
clarifies of effluent and minimum cost of chemicals.
6. To gain a hands on understanding of the treatment process for
removing suspended solids from water.

3.0 THEORY
Raw water or wastewater must be treated to remove turbidity, color and bacteria.
Colloidal particles are in the size range between dissolved substance and
suspended particles. The particles are too small to be removed by sedimentation or
by normal filtration processes. Colloidal particles exhibit the Tyndall effect; that is,
when light passes through liquid containing colloidal particles, the light is reflected
by the particles. The degree to which colloidal suspension reflects light at 90 angle
to the entrance beam is measured by turbidity. The unit of measure is a Turbidity
Unit (TU) or Nephlometric Turbidity Unit (NTU). It is determined by reference to a
chemical mixture that produces a reproducible refraction of light. Turbidities in
excess of 5 TU are easily detectable in a glass of water and are usually
objectionable for aesthetic reasons. For a given particle size, the higher the turbidity,
the higher the concentration of colloidal particles.

Color is a useful term that is used to describe a solution state. But it is

difficult to distinguish dissolved color and colloidal color. Some color is caused by
colloidal iron or manganese complexes. Although, the most common cause of color
is from complex organic compounds that originate from the decomposition of
organic matter. Most color seems to be between 3.5 and 10m, which is colloidal.
Color is measured by the ability of the solution to absorb light. Color particles can be
removed by the methods discussed for dissolved or colloidal, depending upon the
state of the color.

Finely dispersed solid (colloids) suspended in wastewater are stabilized by

negative electric charges on their surfaces, causing them to repel each other. Since
this prevents these charged particles from colliding to form larger masses, called
flocs, they do not settle. To assists in the removal of colloidal particles form
suspension, chemical coagulations and flocculation are required. These processes,
usually done in sequence, are a combination of physical and chemical procedures.
Chemicals are mixed with wastewater to promote the aggregation of the suspended
solids into particles large enough to settle or be removed. Coagulation is the
destabilization of colloids by neutralizing the forces that keep them apart. Cationic
coagulants provide positive electric charges to reduce the negative charge of the
colloids. As a result, the particles collide to form larger particles (floc). Rapid mixing
is required to disperse the coagulant throughout the liquid. The coagulants overdose
can cause a complete charge reversal and destabilize the colloid complex.
 A coagulant is the substance (chemical) that is added to the water to
accomplish coagulation. There are three key properties of a coagulant;

1. Trivalent cation: As indicated in the last section, the colloids most

commonly found in natural waters are negatively charged; hence a cation is
required to neutralize the charge. A trivalent cation is the most efficient cation.

2. Nontoxic: This requirement is obvious for the production of safe water.

3. Insoluble in the neutral pH range. The coagulant that is added must

precipitate out of solution so that high concentrations of the ion are not left in the
water. Such precipitation greatly assists the colloid removal process.

The two most commonly used coagulants are aluminum (Al 3+) and ferric iron
(Fe3+). Both meet above three requirements. Aluminum can be purchased as either
dry or liquid alum [Al2(SO4)314H2O]. Commercial alum has an average molecular
weight of 594. When alum added to a water containing alkalinity, the following
reaction occurs;

Al2(SO4)314H2O + 6HCO-3 2Al(OH)3(s) + 6CO2 + 14H2O + 3SO42-

The above reaction shifts the carbonate equilibrium and decreases the pH. When
sufficient alkalinity is not present to neutralize the sulfuric acid production, the pH
may be greatly reduced;

Al2(SO4)314H2O 2Al(OH)3(s) + 3H2SO4 + 8H2O

If the second reaction occurs, lime or sodium carbonate may be added to neutralize
the acid. The optimal pH range for alum is approximately 5.5 to 6.5 with coagulation
possible between pH 5to pH 8 under some conditions.
 In flocculation process, the flocculating agent is added by slow and gentle
mixing to allow for contact between the small flocs and to agglomerate them into
larger particles. The newly formed agglomerated particles are quite fragile and can
be broken apart by shear forces during mixing. Increasing the dosage will increase
the tendency of the floc to float and not settle. Once suspended particles are
flocculated into larger particles, they can usually be removed from the liquid by
sedimentation, provided that a sufficient density difference exists between the
suspended matter and liquid. When a filtering process is used, the addition of a
flocculants may not be required since the particles formed by the coagulation
reaction may be of sufficient size to allow removal. The flocculation reaction not only
increases the size of the floc particles to settle them faster, but also affects the
physicals nature of the floc, making these particles less gelatinous and thereby
easier to dewater.

4.0 EQUIPMENT
Jar test apparatus with six rotating paddles

Six (6) beaker

Thermometer

Time / Stopwatch

pH meter

Turbidity meter
 pipette

5.0 PROCEDURE

1. The waste water from the treatment plant was prepared. The sodium was
use to stability the PH of the waste water to the neutral.

2. The temperature, pH, color, alkalinity and turbidity of the synthetic water
sample were measured.
3. 600ml was filled each of the prepared synthetic water suspension into six
different beakers (Plexiglas beakers)

4. The prescribed dose of coagulant was added to each jar by using a pipette.
One jar has no coagulant since a control sample was required.

5. If a coagulant aid is required, it is added to each jar (except for control

sample) during the last 15 seconds of the rapid mix stage.

6. Start stirring rapidly (60 to 80 rpm) for 3 minute (Rapid mix stage).

7. After the rapid mix stage, reduce the speed to 30 rpm for 20 minutes.

8. Floc formation were record ed by referring to the chart of particle sizes in

final 10 minutes.

9. After the stirring period was over, stop the stirrer and the flocs was allowed
to settle for about 5 minutes as in scheme (iv)

10. 500mL of settle water was separate out into another beaker.

11. The temperature, pH, color, alkalinity and turbidity of the clarified water were
determined.

12. A graph of turbidity versus coagulant dose (mg/L) was plotted. The most
effective dose of coagulant (or with the present of coagulant aid) that gives
the least turbid results also determined.

13. The qualitative characteristics of floc as bad, moderate, good and very good
were recorded. Cloudy samples indicate bad coagulation while good
coagulation refers to rapid floc formation resulting in clear water formation on
the upper portion of the beaker.

14. The following graph: color versus coagulant dose, pH versus coagulant
dose, temperature versus coagulant dose, etc. were plotted. These graphs
will assist students in the interpretation of the coagulation-flocculation
process.
10.0 REFERENCES

G. J. Schroepfer, M. L. Robins, and R. H. Susag, (1964)Research Program on the

Mississippi River in the Vicinty of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Advances in
Water Pollution Research, vol. 1

L.Davis , I.Cornwell. Introduction to Environmental Engineering. Third Edition.

Lab sheet: Enviromental Engineering, Test: JAR Test

Website: 4th Feb 2006 (date retrieved)

http://www.waterspecialists.biz/html

http://www.phippsbird.com/

http://home.alltel.net/mikeric/PretreatMaint/

Hammer, MarkJ. (2001)Water and Waste water Technology Frouth Edition New
Terzey: Prentice Hall

Master, Gelbert M (1998) Introduction to Environmental Engineering and Science

Black, J.G. (1996). Microbiology. Principles and Applications. Third Edition. Prentice
Hall. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

Tortora, G.J., Funke, B.R., Case, C.L. (1995). Microbiology. An Introduction. Fifth
Edition. The Benjamin/Cummings Publishing, Co., Inc., Redwood City, CA.
H. A. Thomas,(1998) Graphical Determination of B. O. D. Curve Constants, Water
and Sewage Works, McGraw Hill Companies Inc.