Jar Test

TITLE
Jar test
OBJECTIVE
To determine the optimum dose of coagulant for raw water treatment.
INTRODUCTION
Raw water need to undergo a few stage of processes such as sedimentation and
filtration treatment before being distributed for public consumption due to the quality of
water in terms of turbidity, colour and bacteria. However, the raw water contains lot of
dissolved substance and suspended particles which is too small to removed by
sedimentation or by normal filtration processes.
In this case, to assist in removal of particles form suspension in untreated water,
chemicals coagulation and flocculation are required. These processes usually done in
sequence, and there are factors that should be considered in these processes like particle
size, water pH and shear. The small decreasing in particle size can result in dramatic
increasing in coagulant requirements and excessive shear or mechanical action can tear
apart a floc also affect the final outcome.
In fact, coagulant is the chemicals that is added to raw water to accomplish the
coagulation process and alum is most often used for coagulant because of its lower cost
and its widespread availability in water. Although, there are other chemicals can replace
alum such as Sodium aluminate, NaAl(OH)4 and Ferric sulphate, Fe(SO2)3 which is can
be referred from Appendix 1.
For this experiment, jar test is the common device used to determine the optimum
coagulant dose required. This test consists of a number of stirrers (4 to 6) provided with
paddles and the paddles can be rotated with the help of a motor and regulator with
varying speed. Samples will be taken in jars or beakers and varying dose of coagulant
will be added simultaneously to all the jars. The paddles will be rotated at 100 rpm for 1
minute and at 40 rpm for 20 to 30 minutes, corresponding to the flash mixing and slow
mixing in the flocculation of the treatment plant. After 30 minutes settling, supernatant
will be taken carefully from all the jars to measure turbidity. The dose, which gives the
least turbidity, is taken as the optimum coagulant dose.
APPARATUS
Jar test apparatus
Burette
Beakers
Pipette
Analytical balance
Magnetic stirrer
pH meter
Turbidimeter
Distilled water
Alum stock solution
Sulfuric acid
Natrium hydroxide
PROCEDURE
1. Alum stock solution prepared by dissolving 2.5 g aluminium sulphate into 1000 mL
of distilled water. Each 0.1 mL solution represent 5.0 ppm when added 500 mL of
water sampel.
2. Each of 6 one liter beaker marked as A to F respectively and filled with 500 mL
water sample.
3. The initial pH and turbidity of water sample measured.
4. Each beaker placed on magnetic stirrer and alum solution added according the
dosage below :
Beaker
Dosage (ppm)
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
A
0
B
25
C
50
D
75
E
100
F
125
The 2 different burettes filled with sulphuric acid and natrium hydroxide respectively
for pH correction purpose.
The pH of each beaker were check and then the sulphuric acid or natrium hydroxide
slowly titrated until pH reach fixed 6.5.
The beaker placed in the jar tester and the stirrers turn on at fast speed of 100 rpm for
1 minute to ensure the dispersion of the coagulant through the sample.
The stirrer speed reduced to 30 rpm to allow flocculation to take place.
The size and appearance of the floc formed on appendix A.
After 20 minute the stirring stop and wait 30 minutes to allow floc settle.
The depth of sludge measured on each beaker.
The pH and turbidity of the supernatant determined for each beaker and taking
special care to collect the sample fee from floating and settled floc.
Graph of turbidity versus coagulant dosage plotted
DATA, OBSERVATION AND CALCULATION

Water sample turbidity = 47.3 NTU
TABLE 1
Paramter
Alum dosage
(ppm)
Alum volume
(mL)
Beaker
A
0
B
25
C
50
D
75
E
100
F
125
10
15
20
25
Initial pH
Adjusted pH
Final pH
6.56
6.5
6.45
6.42
6.31
5.99
5.87
5.76
Floc size
Control
0.3 - 0.5
0.5 - 0.75
0.75 - 1.0
1 - 1.5
1.5 - 2.25
Depth of
Sludge (mm)
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Turbidity
(NTU)
18.88
13.68
8.28
3.14
3.42
18.88
Figure 1: Graph of turbidity,NTU vs Alum dosage, (ppm)
DISCUSSION
Based on the data, the alum dosage increased in the beakers from number 1 to 6, which
is 0, 25, 50,75, 100, and 125 ppm. For this water, as the dose of coagulant increased the
residual turbidity improved. The addition of excess coagulant may reduce turbidity
beyond what is required but also could lead to the production of more sludge which
would require disposal.
From the graph that had been plotted,the value of optimum dose of coagulant for raw
water treatment is 90 ppm, which at the lowest turbity of 2.5 NTU.However, It is
impotant to note that turbidity was not reduced with the increasing amounts of alum dose
because the coagulant added more particles to water to be treated at the lower doses.
Furthermore, the floc size at 90ppm is 0.75-1.0 mm. This clearly shows that it is not very
large and for water treatment purpose, it might not be the best size.
On the other hand, the strong acid behavior of the alum addition cause the pH value
decreased and dimished alkalinity. Which from the data given, the value of final pH is
decreasing from 6.45 to 5.76. It is because the change in pH in the water being treated
depended on the coagulant dosage. Therefore, it can conclude that the higher alum
dosage, the lower the pH value, which means that the alkalinity may be decreased.
Some precautions must be taken during the experiment:
1. Be careful not to disturb the jars during the settling period
2. Solutions should be handled with normal care to avoid prolonged exposure to skin
and eyes and to avoid ingestion. Wash and dry hands before leaving laboratory.
3. Keep hands and clothing clear of rotating spindles on the jar-testing apparatus.
CONCLUSION
From the experiment, it can be concluded that the optimum alum dosage which will
result in the lowest turbidity is 90ppm, with a turbidity of 2.5 NTU. Next, it was also
shown from the experiment that the pH value will be lower when the alum dosage is
higher. Since the optimum alum dosage has been determined, it can be concluded that the
experiment is a success.
REFERENCE
1. The Jar Test. Retrieved from http://water.me.vccs.edu/exam_prep/jartest.html on
8th August 2015.
2. P. Gebbie. A Dummys Guide to Coagulants. Retrieved from
http://www.wioa.org.au/conference_papers/05/paper10.htm on 8th August 2015.
3. N.P. Cheremisinoff. Handbook of Water and Wastewater Treatment Technologies.
Butterworth-Heinemann. USA, 2002.
4. J. Pillai. Flocculants and Coagulants: The Keys to Water and Waste Management in
Aggregate Production. Retrieved from http://www.aniq.org.mx/pqta/pdf/Flocculants
%20and%20Coagulants%20NALCO%20(LIT).pdf on 8th August 2015.

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DATA, OBSERVATION AND CALCULATION

Figure 1: Graph of turbidity,NTU vs Alum dosage, (ppm)

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