CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

Research Method

This study used several methods of research, particularly descriptive and

experimental. Descriptive research is based on reliable sources – books, journal, and

articles that have been proven by known authors and researchers. Furthermore, it aims to

describe the situation methodically and investigate one or more variables. In order to

determine the cause-and-effect of this study, experimental method was used. This method

utilizes scientific approach wherein several factors are considered and set of variables are

either kept constant or being measured. Experimental research is one of the founding

quantitative research techniques. Moreover, the methods used in the study established

correct parameters on reducing the formalin content of the wastewater.

Preparation of Materials

Upon gathering data, a reedbed design system planted with Vetiver (Chrysopogon

zizanioides) plants and is composed of 10% filter – carbon filter, filter wool, 10% gravel,

and 80% soil will be needed. In addition, 1kg or 2kg natural zeolites will be added on the

system. Two (2L) liters of wastewater collected from embalming procedures will be used

on watering the system – 1 ½ L will be diluted while ½ L will be consumed upon testing

the concentration of the wastewater before the dilution.

The laboratory apparatus and equipment to be utilized will be borrowed from the

Institute’s laboratory. Some of the reagents to be used will be provided by the Institute’s

laboratory and some are bought from Alyson’s Chemical Enterprises, Inc.
(a) Apparatus and Equipment
Acid Burette, 25 mL Aspirator

Pipette, 10 mL Centrifuge

Centrifuge tube, 10 mL Iron clamp

Erlenmeyer flask, 250 mL Iron stand

Glass funnel, 60 mm Stirring rod

Graduated cylinder, 250 mL Vial, 50 mL

Beaker, 250 mL, 2000 mL Storage jar, 350 mL, 2000 mL

Volumetric Flask, 250 mL

(b) Reagents and Materials

Reagents for Titration

Distilled water (H2O)

Formalin solution, 37% (v/v)

Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH), 1 M

Sodium Sulfite (Na2SO3), 0.5 M

Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4), 1 M

Phenolphthalein indicator (C20H14O4)

 Reed Bed System

Filter, 10%

Carbon filter

Filter wool

Gravel 10%

Soil, 80%

Natural zeolites, 1 kg, 2 kg

Formalin wastewater, 34.5746% (v/v)

Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides) plants (5 stalks per se-up)

<INSERT REED BED DSIGN HERE WITH CORRESPONDING DIMENSIONS,

CAPACITY AND ALL BASIC INFO> vhynaaa

Figure 3.1 Red Bed Design System

PROCEDURE

1. Prepare two liters of CH2O (formalin)- content wastewater.

2. Devise two wastewater treatment system designed by the researchers.

3. For untreated wastewater, test 20 ml formalin with 37% (v/v) concentration by

titration process. Record data.

4. For the plant to survive, dilute the wastewater into lower concentration

(5% - 7% v/v). Make sure that the plant can handle the formalin

concentration.

C1V1 = C2V2,

Dilution of Formalin for Reed Bed

The Formalin content wastewater will be diluted so that the reed bed

can handle its concentration. Watering wastewater with high formalin

concentration directly, may wilt the plant.

Wastewater Parameters

Wastewater contains a variety of inorganic and organic substances

from domestic sources. The wastewater parameter includes the determination

of number of natural zeolites that is used in kilogram, the number of days that

the zeolite is soaked in wastewater and if the used zeolite can be used again

(see Appendix _ etoo yung paper na nasakin will scan by cla for details

lalagay sa appendix yung data).

 a. Amount of natural zeolites used – if using more zeolites is much

better than using less.

b. Number of days that the zeolite is soaked in wastewater – if letting

the zeolites soaked in wastewater for a longer period of time will give

a much better result.

c. Using zeolites can be recycling – if using used zeolites is possible,

or if it can give a much better effect.

5. Water the plants using the diluted formalin-content wastewater.

6. Let the filtered wastewater settle at the bottom of the design system filled with

dissimilar amount of natural zeolites.

7. After 24, 48 and 72 hours get a sample from the zeolite soaked in diluted

wastewater. Record and compare gathered data.

8. With enough samples on hand, remove the zeolite from the wastewater,

expose to sunlight to dry it completely.

9. Repeat steps 5 and 6 but make use of the dried zeolites.

FOR TITRATION PROCESS

Determination of CH2O (Formalin) Concentration

1. Dissolve 15.5925g of Sodium Sulfite in 250ml volumetric flask of distilled

water. Prepare two sets of each.

 2. Decant 268 ml of Sodium Sulfite solution to a beaker with 10mL formalin

sample.

3. Stir prepared solution to a perfect mixing.

4. Pipette 20 ml of mixed solution in an Erlenmeyer flask, label each flask.

5. Add Phenolphthalein indicator in the flask until light pink colored solution

appears.

6. Prepare for titration, fill the burette with 1M Sulfuric acid.

7. Titrate carefully, preferably drops into the flask until clear solution comes out.

8. Once the solution turns clear, record the amount of acid used.

9. Compute for the concentration and determine the percent reduction of the

untreated/treated wastewater.

COLLECTION OF DATA

The proponents of the research will test the concentration of CH2O (formalin)

-content wastewater coming from an embalming house through a prepared

standardization of concentration based on a pure 37% v/v formalin. Moreover, dilution is

required, it will undergo treatment process based on certain parameters and test for

reduction will be done by the researchers.

ORIGINAL WASTE
CH2O/100ml H2SO4 used CH2O/100ml H2SO4 used
Solution (mL) Solution (mL)
37
18.5
9.25
4.625
 2.3125
1.1563
0
Table 3.1 Standardization of CH2O (Formalin) Concentration v/v

1 kg Zeolite
H2SO4 used (mL) Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average
24 hrs.
48 hrs.
72 hrs.
2kg zeolite
H2SO4 used (mL) Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average
24 hrs.
48 hrs.
72 hrs.
Table 3.2A Parameter 1 - Two DIFFERENT AMOUNT of natural zeolite sample for each design set up for
every 24 hours for 3consecutive days.

1 kg Zeolite
H2SO4 used (mL) Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average
24 hrs.
48 hrs.
72 hrs.
2kg zeolite
H2SO4 used (mL) Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average
24 hrs.
48 hrs.
72 hrs.
Table 3.2B Parameter 2 - Two different amount of USED natural zeolite sample for each design set up for every
24 hours for 3 consecutive days.

Untreated 24 hrs 48 hrs 72 hrs

  Waste Treatment Treatment Treatment
1kg - %
Reduction
2kg - %
Reduction
Table 3.3A Average CH2O conc.(v/v) percent reduction for every 24 hours of KG PURE natural zeolite
 Untreated 24 hrs 48 hrs 72 hrs
  waste Treatment Treatment Treatment
1kg - %
Reduction
2kg - %
Reduction
Table 3.3B Average CH2O conc. (v/v) percent reduction for every 24 hours of KG USED natural zeolite
CHAPTER IV

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

This chapter presents the findings, analysis and interpretation of data gathered

from the study. The data are illustrated in tabular forms and graphs with investigation and

explanation.

Reaction for Titration

CH20 + H2O +Na2SO3 ---> NaOH+ NaCH3SO4
CH20 + H2O +Na2SO3 ---> NaOH+ Na+ CH3SO4-

2NaOH + H2SO4 ---> Na2SO4 + 2H2O

(INSERT BRIEF EXPLANATION REGARDING THE RESULTING EQUATIONS

BAKIT GANON GANITO MAS MAGANDA SI DIET MAGEXPLAIN PART NATO)

 Figure 4.1 Determination of CH2O (formalin) Concentration v/v using Titration

ORIGINAL WASTE
CH2O/100ml H2SO4 used CH2O/100ml H2SO4 used
Solution (mL) Solution (mL)
37 4.6 34.5746 4.5
18.5 2.5 17.2873 2.3
9.25 1.2 8.6437 1.2
4.625 0.7 4.3218 0.5
2.3125 0.4 2.1609 0.3
1.1563 0.2 1.0805 0.2
0 0 0 0
Table 4.1 Final Standardization of CH2O (Formalin) Concentration

 Theoretical Calculation for Standardization:

(Reagent Basis: 37 CH2O/100 ml sol’n)

37 ml CH 2 O 1.09 g CH 2 O 1 mol CH 2 O 1 molNaOH

X 10 mlsol' nX X X
100 mlsol' n ml CH 2 O 30.031 g CH 2 O 1 mol CH 2 O
0.27887 L
20 ml 1 mol H 2 S O 4 1000 ml
x x x =4.8157
1000 ml 2mol NaOH 1 mol H 2 S O4
Theoretical Basis for H2SO4 used: 4.8157 ml

Experimental Result for H2SO4 used: 4.6 ml

4.8157−4.6
% Difference: X 100=4.48 %
4.1857

 Test for CH2O (Formalin) – Content Concentration:

 Based from titration process, H2SO4 used (ml) for sample waste is 4.50 ml

therefore,

1000ml 1 mol H 2 S O 4 20 ml
4.50 = x x x
1mol H 2 S O 4 2 mol NaOH 1000ml
X ml CH 2 O 1.09 g CH 2 O 1 mol CH 2 O 1 molNaOH
X 10 mlsol ' nX X X
100 mlsol ' n ml CH 2 O 30.031 g CH 2 O 1 mol CH 2 O
0.27887 L
ml CH 2 O
X = 34.5746
100 mlsol' n

PURE vs WASTE (CH2O)

PURE CH2O CH2O WASTE
40
35
30
CH2O/100 ML SOL'N

25
20
15
10
5
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
H2SO4 Used (ml)

Figure 4.2 Graphical Presentation of CH2O (Formalin) Concentration (v/v)

The graph shows that for a basis of pure 37% v/v formalin, it corresponds into

approximately 4.6 ml H2SO4 to transform solution to a clear one. And using this

calibration, concentration of the formalin-content wastewater from the embalming house

were determined to be 34.5746% v/v with 4.5 ml H2SO4 used based from titration.
 Dilution of CH2O (Formalin) Waste

For (
34.5746 ml CH 2 O 1.09 g 1 mol CH 2 O mol
100 ml sol ' n
'
¿ ( 1500 ml CH 2 O so l n )
ml ( )( 30.031 g CH 2 O )
=18.8237
L

Using C1V1 = C2V2,

18.8237 mol
( ¿ ( 1.5 L )=¿ 2) (6.6L+1.5L)
L
mol
C 2 = 3.485870
L

(3.485870

mol 30.031 g CH 2 O 6.402701ml CH 2 O

L
¿ (
1 mol CH 2 O () 1.09ml g )( 15001 Lml ) (100 ml so l n)=
'
100ml sol ' n

6.402701ml CH 2 O
 By interpolation using standardization table for waste @
100 ml sol ' n

between 4.3218 for 0.5 and 8.6437 for 1.2 , H2SO4 used is resulted to be

approximately 0.8214 ml

 From waste titrated, resulting H2SO4 used (ml) is approximately 0.83ml

¿
% Difference: ¿ 0.8214−0.83∨ 0.8214 x 100=1.0470 % ¿

PARAMETER 1 – UTILIZATION OF NATURAL ZEOLITE BASED ON THE AMOUNT TO USE IN KG

0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
h2so4 used (ml)

0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
T rial 1 T rial 2 T rial 3 A verage
 Figure 4.2A Consumed H2SO4 (mL) based from the titrated wastewater from
reed plant system with 1-kg natural zeolite treatment

0.8 Figure
0.7 4.2B
h2so4 used (ml) 0.6 Consumed
H2SO4
0.5 (mL)
0.4 based
0.3 from the
titrated
0.2
0.1
0 Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average

wastewater from
reed plant system with 2-kg natural zeolite treatment
Figure 4.2A shows the consumed H2SO4 (mL) in every trial done by the

researchers based from the titrated wastewater from reed plant system with 1-kg natural

zeolite treatment while Figure 4.2B show the consumed H 2SO4 (mL) per trial but based from

2-kg natural zeolite treatment.

Average
 Time Required 1kg Zeolite 2 kg Zeolite
24 hours 0.73 0.63
48 hours 0.67 0.53
72 hours 0.43 0.3

Table 4.2 Average H2SO4 consumed (ml) every 24 hours treatment in every amount of natural zeolite
 0.8

0.73
0.7
0.67
0.63
0.6

0.53
H2SO4 USED (ML)

0.5

0.43
0.4

0.3 0.3

0.2

0.1

0
24 hours 48 hours 72 hours

1kg Zeolite 2 kg Zeolite

Figure 4.3 Graphical Presentation of Average H2SO4 consumed (ml) every 24 hours treatment
in every amount of natural zeolite

Based from the tabular and graphical figure above, it shows that the more natural

zeolite it has on a treatment process, the greater the formalin concentration will be

reduced. On the other hand, the concentration is getting lower as time passes by and will

get constant low concentration until a specific time, all conclusions are based on the

consumed H2SO4 used via titration done by the researchers.

 70

63.86
60

50
Percent CH2O Reduction

48.19

40
36.14

30
24.1
20 19.28

12.05
10

0
0
Untreated Waste 24 hrs Treatment 48 hrs Treatment 72 hrs Treatment

Figure 4.4 Percent CH2O (Formalin) Reduction under Parameter 1

In addition, this graph indicates that under the first parameter where amount of

zeolite is the basis in analyzing the concentration reduction, such that the greater the better,

was then proven and resulted to be correct as it greatly affects the reduction process.

PARAMETER 2 – UTILIZATION OF USED NATURAL ZEOLITE

 0.9 Figure
4.5A
0.8
0.7
0.6
h2so4 used (ml)

0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average
Consumed H2SO4 (mL) based from the titrated wastewater from
reed plant system with USED 1-kg natural zeolite treatment

Figure
0.8 4.5B
Consumed
0.7 H2SO4
(mL)
0.6 based
from the
0.5
h2so4 used (ml)

titrated

0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average
wastewater from
reed plant system with USED 2-kg natural zeolite treatment

Figure 4.5A shows the consumed H2SO4 (mL) in every trial done by the

researchers based from the titrated wastewater from reed plant system with USED 1-kg

natural zeolite treatment while Figure 4.5B show the consumed H 2SO4 (mL) per trial but

based from 2-kg natural zeolite treatment.

 Average
 Time Required 1kg Zeolite 2 kg Zeolite
24 hours 0.77 0.63
48 hours 0.73 0.5
72 hours 0.67 0.47
Table 4.3 Average H2SO4 consumed (ml) every 24 hours treatment in every amount of used natural zeolite

0.9

0.8
0.77
0.73
0.7
0.67
0.63
0.6
H2SO4 USED (ML)

0.5 0.5
0.47
0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
24 hours 48 hours 72 hours

1kg Zeolite 2 kg Zeolite

Figure 4.6 Graphical Presentation of Average H2SO4 consumed (ml) every 24 hours treatment
in every amount of used natural zeolite

From the tabular and graphical figure above, it simply shows that with the

utilization of used natural zeolite, concentration of formalin will also be reduce.

Additionally, amount of zeolite still is a factor that affects the conc. reduction such that

the greater the better, these conclusions are also all based on the consumed H 2SO4 used in

ml via titration done by the researchers.

 50
45
43.37
40

Percent CH2O Reduction

35
31.33
30
25
20 19.28 19.28
15
12.05
10
7.23
5
0
0
Untreated Waste 24 hrs Treatment 48 hrs Treatment 72 hrs Treatment

Figure 4.7 Percent CH2O (Formalin) Reduction under Parameter 2

Percent Reduction of CH2O (formalin) concentration considering second

parameter where reutilization of zeolite is tested, was proven and analyzed to be effective

based from the data gathered by the researchers, only that reduction is higher at its first

use. As the researchers observe properly, when the two set parameters are compared the

reduction in the first parameter using 1-kg of zeolite has almost the same percent

reduction with the second parameter of utilizing used natural zeolite with 2-kg. Because

of this, the researchers therefore analyzed that adsorption elements of zeolite are best at

its first use and decreases with times of use.