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Coagulation – Flocculation studies of Laboratory wastewater using different

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Article in Journal- Chemical Society of Pakistan · June 2013

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MUHAMMAD TAHIR BUTT et al., J.Chem.Soc.Pak.,Vol.
J. Chem. Soc. Pak., Vol. 35, No.3, 2013 35, No.3, 2013 636

Coagulation–Flocculation Studies of Laboratory Wastewater using

Different Combinations
1
MUHAMMAD TAHIR BUTT*, 2ARSHAD KHOKAR AND. KHALID IQBAL, 1RAUF AHMAD KHAN
1
CEPS, PCSIR Laboratories Complex Lahore.
2
National College of Business Administration and Economics. Lahore.
[email protected]*

(Received on 12th November 2012, accepted in revised form 18th April 2013)

Summary: This study was conducted on the wastewater of PCSIR Laboratories complex Lahore.
Both single as well as blended form was used in order to achieve maximum results and to reduce the
cost. These experiments were conducted in Hudson Jars of one liter capacity using the coagulation
technique for the removal of total suspended solids (TSS) and turbidity. The pH range was 6-8 and
4-10 for treatment. Four coagulants were used such as FeCl3, AlCl3, Alum, and FeSO4, to remove
the turbidity in single and blended form. Results of single coagulant are FeCl3 from 39.7 to 11.51
NTU; AlCl3 from 47.48 to 11.8 NTU. Alum 43 to 25.3NTU.FeSO4 showed increasing trend in
turbidity 53 to 120 NTU.The blended set of coagulants AlCl3+Alum turbidity from 45 to 18.55
NTU. The Alcl3 and Fecl3 showed almost similar results but after overnight settling results were
excellent and alum showed also good results. The turbidity was removed from 54 to 27 NTU, 48 to
22 NTU, 44 to 17 NTU, and after overnight settling 33 to 4 NTU. The results of blended coagulants
Fecl3+Alcl3 after one, two and three hours settling were also studied and found best and blend
AlCl3+Alum showed also similar trend and the blend of Alum+Fecl3 after overnight settling was
excellent. The same coagulants and its blended form were used for TSS removal and results are 278
to 7 mg/L, in blended form Alcl3+Alum show similar results but Alum + Fecl3 showed excellent
results. The TSS and turbidity removal was 87 %, 97.5%.

Keyword’s: Wastewater, Treatment, Coagulation, Irrigation, Removal.

INTRODUCTION

The reuse of wastewater has become an organic pollutants, industrial chemicals, and
absolute necessity. Demands to the cleaning inorganic wastes. Sewage treatment is the process of
industrial and domestic wastewater to avoid removing contaminants [4].The strength and
environmental pollution and particularly composition of wastewater changes on hourly, daily
contamination of pure water are becoming national and seasonal basis, with average strength dependent
and international issues. New, economical and on per capita water usage [5].
effective methods of purifying and cleaning
wastewater before discharging into any other water Turbidity removal is one of the important
systems are needed [1].Water is undoubtedly the steps in water and wastewater treatment and
most vital element among the natural resources generally is achieved by coagulation - flocculation -
.Water quantity and quality issues have led many sedimentation. Common coagulants like alum and
countries to explore water reclamation and water iron salts have been widely used in conventional
reuse as alternatives to provide water for direct use in water treatment process [6].
industrial applications and agricultural purposes to Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of
supplement the water reservoirs [2]. Pakistan is water Or Turbidity is the reduction of clarity in water
among the countries most affected by water shortage due to the presence of suspended or colloidal
due to no proper storage. Therefore Pakistan is in the particles. Turbidity is measured by the amount of
process of setting the water treatment plants for light which is reflected by the particles. Turbidity
sewage and industrial wastewater to supplement the measurements are reported in NTU units [7, 8].
water resources and recharge the underground water.
Turbidity may be harmless, but may be
Sewage is 99.9 % water with the material indicator of harmful water constituents, is
that requires to be removed amount to just 0.1% by aesthetically unpleasant, and is likely, to cause,
volume .This solid material consists of a mixture of colour and odor problems. Turbidity can harbor or
faces , food particles, greases, oils, soaps, salts, carry pathogens, and can interfere with disinfection
metals, detergents, solvents, dyes, and other by taking up or using the disinfectant intended for the
chemicals, sand and grit. [3]. Wastewater of a pathogens in water. The pathogens which are not
research and testing laboratory contains micro killed can result in several water borne diseases [8].
*
To whom all correspondence should be addressed.
MUHAMMAD TAHIR BUTT et al., J.Chem.Soc.Pak.,Vol. 35, No.3, 2013 637

Recent studies have pointed out many results reducing turbidity 45.21 to 18.55 NTU in Fig
serious drawbacks of using these coagulants. 3. The results AlCl3 and FeCl3 shows good and
Production of large sludge volume, reduction in pH almost similar results but after overnight settling time
and low efficiency of coagulation are some of the results were excellent and alum showed also good
problems faced with these coagulants [9, 10].Under results in decreasing order of turbidity 54 to 26.45
proper agitation, the bound particulates then grow in NTU,48 to 22 NTU,45 to 17.54 NTU, and after
size to form the flocks, which may be left to settle by overnight settling time 33 to 4 NTU but Feso4
gravity or may be removed by sedimentation. The showed the increasing trend in turbidity. The results
suspended or colloidal particles, commonly referred of coagulant and blended coagulant are in Fig. 2 and
to as total suspended solids ,are all extremely small 3 and with different settling time are 4 to 5.The
suspended solids in water which will not settle out by results of blended FeCl3+AlCl3 after one, two, three
gravity[9]. hours settling time were best and the blend
AlCl3+alum shows also similar trend and the blend of
The suspended particles vary considerably alum+Fecl3 after overnight settling time was
in source, composition charge, particle size, shape, excellent.
and density. Correct application of coagulation and
flocculation processes and selection of the coagulants
depend upon understanding the interaction between
these factors. The small particles are stabilized by the
action of physical forces on the particles themselves.
One of the forces playing a dominant role in
stabilization results from the surface charge present
on the particles. Most suspended solids in water are
with negative charge and, surface has also same type
of charge, as similar charges repel each other when
they come close together. Therefore, they will remain
in suspension rather than combine together and settle
out of the water [11].
Fig. 1: NTU instrumental reading.
The water used for different purposes in
PCSIR Laboratories complex Lahore is estimated to
be one hundred and fifty thousand (4.54609 litres, SI
units of UK) daily and the wastewater generated is
approximately 40 thousand gallons per day and is
disposed of in sewer without any treatment.

Results and Discussion

This study was designed to remove the

turbidity and total suspended solids from the
wastewater. The calibration results of NTU standard
instrumental reading are given in Fig. 1.The results of Fig. 2: Initial turbidity After Aeration Tank and
turbidity removal are given in Fig. 2 and 3). Four Turbidity Removal using Single Coagulant.
coagulants were used for treatment namely FeCl3,
AlCl3, Alum, FeSo4. Treatment of thirty samples was
made and the results of these samples are given in
each Fig. Five different samples were treated with
each coagulant and blend of coagulant.AlCl3 showed
best results decreasing turbidity from 39.7 to 11.51
NTU, FeCl3 was the second best coagulant showing
the turbidity results in decreasing order 47.48 to 11.8
NTU. The blended form of coagulants was
FeCl3+AlCl3,AlCl3+Alum,Alum+FeCl3,FeSo4+AlCl3
,FeSO4+AlCl3. The blend solution FeCl3+AlCl3 Fig. 3: Turbidity Removal using Different blended
reduced the turbidity from 48 to 12.73 NTU and solution.
second blend AlCl3+Alum showed the second best
MUHAMMAD TAHIR BUTT et al., J.Chem.Soc.Pak.,Vol. 35, No.3, 2013 638

Fig. 7: TSS Removal Using single Coagulants.

Fig. 4: Turbidity removal by Different Settling
Time and single coagulant Experimental

When particle charges are destabilizes in

first step. Coagulants with opposite charges of the
suspended particles are added to the wastewater to
neutralize the negative charges on non-settle able
solids such as colour producing organics and clays.
When charges are neutralized once, the small
particles combine together and larger flocks are
formed by this process and these micro flocks are not
visible to naked eye. In result there will be clear
water if water is not clear, all charged particles have
not been neutralized, and coagulation have not been
completed and more doze of coagulant is required to
be added. A rapid mix for the dispersement of
Fig. 5: Turbidity Removal with Blended Coagulants coagulant particles is need for the achievement of
and Different settling Time. good coagulation and the good contact time in the
mixing chamber is 1 to 3 minutes and settling time
The same coagulants and its blended form was 30 minutes [10, 11]. Selection of the coagulant
were used for TSS removal and results are given in was made after Hudson jar tests at lab of one liter
Fig 6 and 7. AlCl3 was found best coagulant for TSS capacity [11].
removal 278 to 6 mg/L , in blended form AlCl3+alum
, show similar results but alum + FeCl3 showed These four coagulants are used to control the
excellent results. alkalinity and pH of water, alum, ferric sulfate, ferric
chloride, ferrous sulfate.

These four commercial coagulants were

collected from local market and then their various
percentage solutions were prepared in single and
blended form for further use. Residual turbidity was
analyzed after treatment and the optimum dose was
calculated for different turbid water standard samples
of 60, 120 and 180 NTU turbidity [12, 13].

Preparation of Turbid Water Samples

Bentionite clay was used to make the turbid

water samples 5 gram clay was mixed in 500 ml
distilled water. Sample was soaked overnight. Then
Fig. 6: TSS Removal using blended coagulants. sample was stirred to make homogeneous and
uniform. This stock solution was used to prepare the
turbid water samples [13, 14].
MUHAMMAD TAHIR BUTT et al., J.Chem.Soc.Pak.,Vol. 35, No.3, 2013 639

Treatment the optimum coagulant dosage (8ppm, ferric

chloride/10 ppm, alum) in the optimum pH range
Samples were collected from main sewage (9.2, ferric chloride/8.5, alum) at room temperature.
source in the 15 liter plastic container using the Ferric chloride produced better results than alum.
standard methods [12] and brought to the laboratory [15].In addition it was also noted that AlCl3 showed
and turbidity measurements were made using excellent result in removing the desired parameters
standard methods on the Henna turbidity meter model with its excellent settling rate followed by FeCl3,
LP2000-11. Turbidity meter was calibrated using the Alum and FeSo4.
standards and measurements were made using
different standards and a graph was plotted between The optimum pH for Alum was 6-8 but a good
the observed and standard readings. Then these tolerance shown by FeCl3, and AlCl3 with range of 9-
collected samples were first aerated with air, and then 10 pH. AlCl3, (6pp) showing very good settling rate
treated with ferric chloride, Aluminum chloride, alum but little light flocks were observed in suspended
and then ferrous sulphate using in solution form these form. This problem was solved by addition of Alum
coagulants with different concentrations in single and (as alum produce very large flocks with high dosing
blend and results are given in Fig. 1 to 7.untreated (8pp) rate and settling time) and a combination of
and treated wastewater is presented in Fig.8 The coagulants (Aluminum Chloride and Alum ratio 1:2)
coagulant solutions, turbidity suspension and was prepared which showed excellent results in
standard dilutions were freshly prepared before use. removing turbidity and total suspended solids in
Using the Hydrazine sulfate and wastewater.
hexamethylenetetramine were used to prepare the
standard in distilled water. Coagulation Conditions

Calibration of Turbidity Meter [14] The efficiency of the coagulation-

flocculation process is dependent on many variables
a. Switch on the turbidity meter and allow [16].
warming.
b. Rinse a clean, dry, scratch-free cell. Coagulant dosage, pH, Duration of mixing
c. Pour standard into the cell up to the fill at rapid mix stage, Retention time.
mark.
d. Plot this instrument NTU reading against the Flocculation process involves the addition of
NTU value of the turbidity standard. flock-forming chemical reagent usually after
e. A graph was plotted between instrument coagulation to 80 agglomerate non-settable and slow-
readings versus turbidity standard [6, 12] settling colloidal solids and it plays a major role in
value given in Fig .1. the 81 fates and transport of contaminants in aquatic
environments by bridging the aggregated flocks to
form larger agglomerates in the presence of
polymeric materials [17-20].

Conclusion

The selection of coagulant and its optimum

dose is made by application of jar test was made by
combinations, observations and then by measure-
ments. On the bases of above study blended solution
of alum and ferric chloride showed excellent results
for the removal of turbidity, total suspended solids
Fig. 8: Treated and untreated wastewater samples in and is recommended for commercial use. The TSS
Jar test (2). and turbidity was removed successfully 87%and
97.5%.
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