WATER TREATMENT PROCESSES AND TREATMENT UNITS

PLAIN SEDIMENTATION - is the process of removing suspended matters from the water by
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keeping it quiescent in tanks, so that suspended matter may settle down in the bottom due to
force of gravity. Preferably for a month or longer, particularly if the source water is a sewage-
polluted river water

Process of treating water by plain sedimentation

1. The water is retained in a basin so that the suspended particles may settle down due to force of
gravity only

2. After the settlement of suspended particles has taken place, the water is taken out from the basin
without causing any disturbance to the suspended impurities.

Aeration as a water treatment practice is used for the following operations:

1. carbon dioxide reduction (decarbonation)

2. oxidation of iron and manganese found in many well waters (oxidation tower)

3. ammonia and hydrogen sulfide reduction (stripping)

Aeratio n is also an effective method of bacteria control.

Two General method of aeration

water-fall aerator-through the use of spray nozzles, the water is broken up into small
droplets or a thin film to enhance countercurrent air contact.

In the air diffusion method of aeration, air is diffused into a receiving vessel containing
counter-current flowing water, creating very small air bubbles. This ensures good air-water
contact for "scrubbing" of undesirable gases from the water.
Sedimentation tank- also called settling tank or clarifier, component of a modern system of water
supply or wastewater treatment. A sedimentation tank allows suspended particles to settle out of
water or wastewater as it flows slowly through the tank, thereby providing some degree of
purification. A layer of accumulated solids, called sludge, forms at the bottom of the tank and is
periodically removed.

Sedimentation with coagulation

Coagulants- are a key component for any waste water treatment program that handles
suspend solids, as they consolidate those particles for easy and thorough removal.

We also carry a wide range of pure coagulants that are effective, efficient, and offer a high
level of turbidity removal, including
 • Bentonite Clay- is a type of clay that has an ability to swell and gel when dispersed in
water. Helps improve coagulation, decreases volume of coagulants. It is also known
as bleaching clay.
• Polyaluminum Chloride (PAC)- Lowers residual aluminum level in the water
• Aluminum Chlorohydrate- Is a group of specific aluminum salts. Is used in
deodorants and antiperspirants and as a coagulants in water treatment application.
It has high charge which make it more effective art destabilizing and removing
suspended materials than other aluminum chloride.
• Aluminum Sulfate-It is soluble in water and mainly used as a coagulating agent
(promoting particle collision by neutralizing charge). In the purification of drinking
water and waste water treatment plants.
• Ferric Chloride- Are chemicals that help make tiny particles clump together so they
can be removed from water. Even after large particles of debris are removed using
filters, natural surface water still may be full of tiny particles that are too small to
sink.
• FerrouPolyClay 104- Is a solid clay blend for the purification of wastewater. Polyclay
104 is the blend choice for many industrial and sanitary wastewater treatment dues
to its high efficiency, effectiveness im clarification. The chemical leaves no residual
color, offers very good turbidity removal.

Filtration- The resultant water after sedimentation will not be pure, and may contain some very
fine suspended particles and bacteria in it. To remove or to reduce the remaining impurities still
further, the water is filtered through the beds of fine granular material, such as sand, etc. The
process of passing the water through the beds of such granular materials is known as Filtration.

How Filters Work: Filtration Mechanisms

There are four basic filtration mechanisms:
SEDIMENTATION : The mechanism of sedimentation is due to force of gravity and the associate
settling velocity of the particle, which causes it to cross the streamlines and reach the collector.
INTERCEPTION : Interception of particles is common for large particles. If a large enough particle
follows the streamline, that lies very close to the media surface it will hit the media grain and be
captured.
BROWNIAN DIFFUSION : Diffusion towards media granules occurs for very small particles, such as
viruses. Particles move randomly about within the fluid, due to thermal gradients. This mechanism is
only important for particles with diameters < 1 micron.
INERTIA : Attachment by inertia occurs when larger particles move fast enough to travel off their
streamlines and bump into media grains.
Types of Filter

Slow sand filter: They consist of fine sand, supported by gravel. They capture particles near the
surface of the bed and are usually cleaned by scraping away the top layer of sand that contains the
particles.
Rapid-sand filter: They consist of larger sand grains supported by gravel and capture particles
throughout the bed. They are cleaned by backwashing water through the bed to 'lift out' the
particles.
Multimedia filters: They consist of two or more layers of different granular materials, with different
densities. Usually, anthracite coal, sand, and gravel are used. The different layers combined may
provide more versatile collection than a single sand layer. Because of the differences in densities, the
layers stay neatly separated, even after backwashing.

Sand Filters vs. Rapid Sand Filters

• Base material: In SSF it varies from 3 to 65 mm in size and 30 to 75 cm in depth while in RSF
it varies from 3 to 40 mm in size and its depth is slightly more, i.e. about 60 to 90 cm.

• Filter sand: In SSF the effective size ranges between 0.2 to 0.4 mm and uniformity
coefficient between 1.8 to 2.5 or 3.0. In RSF the effective size ranges between 0.35 to 0.55
and uniformity coefficient between 1.2 to 1.8.

• Rate of filtration: In SSF it is small, such as 100 to 200 L/h/sq.m. of filter area while in RSF it
is large, such as 3000 to 6000 L/h/sq.m. of filter area.

• Flexibility: SSF are not flexible for meeting variation in demand whereas RSF are quite
flexible for meeting reasonable variations in demand.

• Post treatment required: Almost pure water is obtained from SSF. However, water may be
disinfected slightly to make it completely safe. Disinfection is a must after RSF.

• Method of cleaning: Scrapping and removing of the top 1.5 to 3 cm thick layer is done to
clean SSF. To clean RSF, sand is agitated and backwashed with or without compressed air.

• Loss of head: In case of SSF approx. 10 cm is the initial loss, and 0.8 to 1.2m is the final limit
when cleaning is required. For RSF 0.3m is the initial loss, and 2.5 to 3.5m is the final limit
when cleaning is required.

Disinfection method

Quantum disinfection- is new to the market, it promises to be one of the most effective and
cost efficient water disinfection methods around. This method uses a specially treated
filtering media that removes the electrons from the cells of microorganisms, killing on
contact. Silecte™ disinfection media, which is sold by US Water Systems, adds no chemicals
to the water and requires no electricity, so you'll never worry about the system failing if the
power goes out

ULTRAVIOLET DISINFECTION-Although scientists have known for over a century that the UV
light from the sun's rays can kill bacteria and other pathogens, using it as a water
disinfection method has become much more common in the past few decades as the
technology improved and became less expensive. UV works by changing the DNA inside the
cells of microorganisms, disrupting their ability to replicate. Pathogens that can't replicate
cannot make you sick. When properly sized, a UV system can be very effective at disinfecting
water, but it's important that the water be clear. This type of system also requires electricity
to power the light

OZONE DISINFECTION- Ozone is an extremely powerful oxidant and one of the most
effective water disinfection methods available, breaking down the structure of cell
walls. Unfortunately, it's also one of the most expensive to implement at the
residential level. Ozone must be created on-site, requiring electricity to power a
corona discharge system or special UV light to break apart the oxygen molecules and
form ozone. From there, the ozone needs to be added to the water, and it's often
necessary to install an ozone mixing tank to allow the gas to do its job.

CHLORINE DISINFECTION- has been used for years to kill pathogens in water, and it's
one of the most well-known methods of disinfection of water. Many municipal water
treatment plants still use chlorine (and a related group of chemicals called
chloramines) to disinfect the water that they deliver. Like ozone, however, chlorine
isn't usually the best choice for home use. A chlorine injection system does require
regular maintenance, including the routine addition of chlorine, a toxic chemical. It
also requires a pump and mixing tank to be installed. In addition, many people
dislike the taste of chlorine-treated water. In some cases, a chlorine disinfection
system is the only reliable way to ensure safe water, particularly when algae
contamination is an issue.

BY:

Cordero, Michael

Jagmis, Raymund

Punzalan, Dan Luis

Sempron, Liezel

Zubiaga, Sheena lee