EXPERIMENT 3

COAGULATION AND FLOCCULATION (JAR TEST)

1.0 OBJECTIVES
1.1
1.2

To determine the optimum alum dose for suspended solids

removal from water using jar test.
To determine the optimum pH for suspended solids removal from
water using jar test.

2.0 INTRODUCTION
Suspended solids (particulary colloids) are often removed from water
by chemical coagulation and flocculation. Colloidal particles carry small
electrostatic charge that keeps them in suspension. Coagulation is the
addition of chemical to neutralize the effect of colloidal charges and
allow aggregation of particles. Following coagulation the suspension is
stirred gently to promote particle collision and agglomeration in a
process termed flocculation.
Colloid Stability
The particles in the colloid range are too small to settle in a reasonable
time period, and too small to be trapped in the pores of a filter that
makes sedimentation or filtration difficult. For colloids to remains
stable they must remains small. Most colloidal are stables because
they possess a negative charge that repels other colloidal particles
before they collide with one another. The particles migrate to the pole
of opposite charge at a rate proportional to the potential gradient.
Generally, the larger the surface charge, the more stable the
suspension.
Colloid Destabilization
Colloids are stable because of their surface charge. In order to
destabilize the particles, we must neutralize this charge. Such
neutralize can take place by addition of an ion of opposite charge to
the colloid. Since most colloids found in water are negatively charged,
the addition of sodium ions (Na+) should reduce the charge. Figure 3.1
illustrates such an effect. The plot shows surface charges as a function
of distance from the colloid for non-salt (NaCl) addition, low-salt

addition, and high-salt addition. The higher concentration of sodium is

added, the lower charge, and therefore the lower repelling forces
around the colloid.
Coagulation: Aluminum
Aluminum can be purchased as either dry or liquid alum
[Al2(SO4)3.14H2O]. when alum is added to a water containing alkalinity,
the following reaction occurs:
Al2(SO4)3. 14H2O + 6HCO3 @Al(OH)3(S) + 14H2O + 3SO24

(3.1)

Such that each mole of alum added uses six moles of alkalinity and
produces six moles of carbon dioxide. The above reaction shifts the
carbonate equilibrium and decrease the pH. However, as long as
sufficient alkalinity is present and CO2 (g) is allowed to evolve, the pH
is not drastically reduced and is generally not an operational problem.
When sufficient alkalinity is not present to neutralize the sulfuric acid
production, the pH may be greatly reduced:
Al2(SO4)4 . 14H2O 2Al(OH)3(S) + 3H2SO4 + 8H2O

(3.2)

If the second reaction occurs, lime or sodium carbonate may be added

to neutralize the acid. Two important factors in coagulant additions are
pH and dose. The optimum dose and pH must be determined from
laboratory tests.

Figure 3.1: Effect of salt on electrical potential

3.0 MATERIALS AND APPARATUS

3.1 Chemicals
a) Alum solution
b) H2SO4 or NaOH
c) Water sample
3.2 Apparatus
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

1 liter beaker
pH meter
Turbidity meter
Pipette
Jar test

4.0 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES

4.1

Test for optimum pH (dose constant)

i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)
vi)
vii)
viii)
ix)

4.2

Fill six 1 liter beakers with 500 ml the water sample.

Prepare alum solution with concentration 2.0 g/l.
Add to the beakers the amount of H 2SO4 or NaOH that
would yield final pH values of 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.
Add to the beakers alum solution corresponding to a dose
2.5ml.
Mix the samples at high speed (80 rpm) for 1 minutes.
Reducing mixing speed to 30 rpm and continue mixing for
15 minutes.
Stop the stirrer and let the flocs settle for 20 minutes.
Determine supernatant turbidity by using turbidity meter.
Plot turbidity vs pH.

Test for optimum dose (pH constant)

i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)
vi)
vii)
viii)
ix)

Fill six 1 liter beakers with 500 ml the water sample.

Prepare alum solution with concentration 2.0 g/l.
Add to the beakers the amount of H 2SO4 or NaOH that
would yield a final pH 6.5.
Add to the beakers alum solution corresponding to doses of
0 (control), 1.5, 2.5, 5, 10 and 15 ml.
Mix the samples at high speed (80 rpm) for 1 minutes.
Reduce mixing speed to 30 rpm and continue mixing for 15
minutes.
Stop the stirrer and let the flocs settle for 20 minutes.
Determine supernatant turbidity by using turbidity meter.
Plot turbidity vs alum dose.

5.0 RESULTS
5.1

Experiement 4.1: Optimum pH (dose constant)

Alum Concentration = ____________ g/liter

Volume of alum
= _____________ ml
Beaker

pH Value

1
2
3
4
5
6
Plot turbidity
5.2

Turbidity (from 100 ml

supernatant)

4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
vs. pH. Get the optimum pH from the graph.

Experiment 4.2: optimum dose (pH constant)

Sample volume
Alum Concentration

= 0.5 liter
= 2.0 g/liter

Beaker

Alum dose
Actual alum
Turbidity (from 100 ml
(ml)
dose (mg/l)
supernatant)(NTU)
1
0
0
400
2
1.5
6
399
3
2.5
10
409
4
5
20
402
5
10
40
373
6
15
60
7.35
Plot graph turbidity vs. alum dose. Get the optimum dose from the
graph.

CALCULATION
Actual alum dose = Alum dose x alum concentration
Sample volume

Beaker 1
Actual alum dose = 0 mg/l
Beaker 2
Actual alum dose = 1.5 ml(1L / 1000 mL) x 2.0 g/l( 1000 mg/
1g )
0.5 L
= 6 mg/l
Beaker 3
Actual alum dose = 2.5 ml(1L / 1000 mL) x 2.0 g/l( 1000 mg/
1g )
0.5 L
= 10 mg/l
Beaker 4
Actual alum dose = 5 ml(1L / 1000 mL) x 2.0 g/l( 1000 mg/
1g )
0.5 L
= 20 mg/l
Beaker 5
Actual alum dose = 10 ml(1L / 1000 mL) x 2.0 g/l( 1000 mg/
1g )
0.5 L
= 40 mg/l
Beaker 6
Actual alum dose = 15 ml(1L / 1000 mL) x 2.0 g/l( 1000 mg/
1g )
0.5 L
= 60 mg/l

6.0 RESULT

6.0 DISCUSSION
(Include a discussion on the physical interpretation of the result, the
reasons on deviations of your finding from expected results, your

recommendations on further experimentation for verifying your result

and your finding).

7.0 CONCLUSION
(Based on data and discussion, make your overall conclusion).

8.0 QUESTIONS
8.1 Name some other chemicals that may be used as coagulant?
8.2 Briefly discuss the effect of alkalinity on coagulation?
8.3 What cause particles to remain in a colloidal suspension?
8.4 Give three engineering and three environmental reasons for
removing colloidal materials from a waste stream?