CDB 3082

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING LAB IV

LABORATORY 2
Experiment 2
Waste Water Sampling and Characterization
-Coagulation and Water Hardness

Lab Instructor : Huma Warsi

No Name Matric Id

1 Jagbeer Singh Khera 16001706

2 Pravindeeran Veerasingam 16001993
3 Abdul Remy bin Mohd Fauzi 16002042

4 Prashannaah Prabhakaran 16001875

1
Table of Contents

1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 3

2.0 Literature Review ........................................................................................................................ 4
3.0 Methodology ............................................................................................................................... 6
Experiment A: Determination of Optimum Coagulant Dosage ........................................................ 6
Experiment B: Determination of Optimum pH ............................................................................... 7
4.0 Results and Discussion ................................................................................................................. 8
4.1 Experiment A: Determination of Optimum Coagulant Dosage .................................................. 8
4.2 Experiment B: Determination of Optimum pH ........................................................................ 10
4.3 Calculation and Questions...................................................................................................... 11
5.0 Conclusion & Recommendation ................................................................................................. 14
6.0 References ........................................................................................................................... 16
7.0 Appendices ................................................................................................................................ 17

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1.0 Introduction

There are three level of wastewater treatment which are primary, secondary and tertiary.
(Wastewater treatment, 2018). Wastewater test is carried out in multiple ways such as
coagulation, flocculation and water hardness which are the most common ones. Waste water
contain solid particles or contaminant which are different in size. This could be related to the
turbidity of the water. Colloidal particles have the size which the range is in between the
suspended particles and dissolved substances. This particles cannot be removed by
sedimentation nor filtration.

Small colloids suspended in wastewater are stabilized by the negative electric charge,
which cause them to repel to each other. These charged particle cannot be settle down because
it is prevented from colliding with each other and eventually form flocs which are larger
particles. So, by using chemical method of coagulation and flocculation, it may assist in the
removal of the colloidal particles from the suspension. Coagulation is the destabilization of
colloids by neutralizing the electric charges of the dispersed phase particles and forming
aggregation of the colloidal particles. The formation of the group of particles by intermolecular
force are enough to be settled.

In water treatment coagulation flocculation involves of addition of polymers to clump

up the small particle into the bigger ones so that it could be easier to be removed (association,
n.d.). Important mechanisms relating to polymer mechanisms is related to electrostatic and
bridging effect. The degree of which coagulation could remove the organic material depends
on the type of material present in the water. Dosage of coagulant is important to get the
optimum dosage to increase the turbidity of the water. Optimum pH is also important for the
coagulant to work at its best which will be further studied in this experiment.

There are few objectives in this experiment which are:

- To become familiar with wastewater treatment plant tests.

- To illustrate some difficulties in performing these tests.
- To illustrate the principles of coagulation and water hardness.

Therefore, the purpose of the whole experiment is to help in understanding the coagulation
and flocculation process in waste water sector experimentally by investigating the optimum
coagulant dosage of the sample and performance to obtain the optimum pH of samples.

3
2.0 Literature Review

Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th century had accelerated the progression of human
civilization. Mass production of good have improved mankind standard of living. Some of
innovation in engineering marvel such as steam engine had changed the way of transporting
goods forever. Despite that, the technological advances also have its dark side. The waste
water from the factories is not treated well before being released to river. This affected the
life of living things that depended on the river. Therefore, any waste water from factories
should be treated in the first hand.

The level of water quality is measured in term of water hardness. Water hardness is a
measure of divalent ions such as calcium, magnesium and/or iron in water (Wurts, 1993).
Theoretically, hard water has significant amount of magnesium and calcium ions in the water
(i.e. sea water). A river next to a factory may have high concentration of magnesium and
calcium ions that can be measured in parts per million (ppm). This situation correlated with
the appearance of atomic dermatitis in Danish children (Engebretsen et at., 2016). In addition,
Alzheimer’s disease and Cardiovascular disease has also being linked to hard water
(Zieneldien, 2018). Thus, it is important to maintain certain value of waste water
concentration before releasing it a nearby water stream.

One of waste water treatment process is coagulation. Coagulation is a process of

adding some chemicals to colloidal particles that carry charges on them (Tridib and Bhudep,
2006). Typically, aluminium ions and iron (III) ions are added to waste water to initiate the
process. The presence of ions (from inorganic chemicals) destabilizes the colloids thus
neutralizes the charges of the colloid surface (Tridib and Bhudep, 2006). The orthodox
method to coagulate waste water is through rapid mixing in a mixing tank with the presence
of coagulant. This ensure the flocculation process to be more effective.

Flocculation is a process of forming larger agglomerates of particles in small

suspension or of small agglomerates as a result of coagulation (Tridib and Bhudep, 2006).
Thus, to increase the rate of flocculation, polymers such as gelatin and polyacrylamide are
added to a gentle mixing tank containing coagulated waste water. The polymers added are
known as flocculants. Gentle mixing is set as one of the condition to flocculate because the
floc is extremely sensitive to shear stress that happen in rapid mixing chamber.

4
 One of important things to examine before releasing waste water into river is the
waste water pH level. The pH is defined as an index of the hydrogen ion concentration in
water. The hydrogen affects most chemical and biological processes (Boyd, Tucker and
Rawee, 2011). Generally, there are three conditions related to pH level which are alkaline,
neutral and acid. As a rule of thumb, anything that is below pH value of 7 is acidic and
anything above pH value of 7 is alkaline. Impacts of alkaline waste water include high
chemical oxygen demand and oxygen depletion (Gomes et. al, 2016). This would favour the
growth of algae in exponential numbers. Thus, would induce algae bloom in the water
system. This phenomenon will affect the other aquatic life and water source for human.

5
3.0 Methodology
Experiment A: Determination of Optimum Coagulant Dosage

3. Test water was

2. Sample was filtered
1. Coagulant were
to remove suspended
prepared
particles
analysed by pH meter
for the pH reading and
spectometer to get the
turbidity

5. Th solution were
4. 1 litre of water was mixed at 50 rpm 6.Mixing speed was
measured and poured into using the magnetic increased to 250 rpm
each jar reactor. portions of stirrer and measured and chemical were
aluminium sulfate were to achieve desired added to each reactor
prepared to give coagulant dose in each of the at the same time
dose of 0,10,20, 30,40 and reactor.
50mg/L.

7. Solution were rapidly mixed at

9.Particles were allowed to
250 rpm for 1 minute and then
settle for 20 minutes (
reduced to 60 rpmfor 9 minutes
8. Mixers were turned paddles were removed
and then followed by 25 rpm for
off and amd relative during quiescent settling).
4 minutes and at last10 rpm for 2
floc size were Clarity of supernatant
minutes. Reactors were observed
recorded. liquidand and settling
to detect the formation of flocs
characteristics of the floc
and the time of floc appearance is
were observed.
noted down.

10. Turbidity and pH

of the liquid in each
jar sampling at the 11. The depth of 12.Turbidity against
top were measured sludge in the beaker alum dosage was
without disturbing was measured. plotted.
the settling at the
bottom.

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Experiment B: Determination of Optimum pH

1.Jar test was repeated using observed

optimum dosage of aluminium sulfate
2. Turbidity and pH of the liquid in
but the pH of sample water was
each jar sampling at the top were
adjusted in each jar to 3, 5, 7, 8, 9 and
measured without disturbing
11 with NaOH or H2SO4 prior to
adding coagulant.

3. Depth of sludge in the beaker was

4.Turbidity against pH was plotted
measured

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4.0 Results and Discussion

4.1 Experiment A: Determination of Optimum Coagulant Dosage

The main objective of Experiment A is to determine the optimum alum dosage to coagulate the
waste from the lake water. There were six different alum dosage that was tested which are 0
mg/l, 10 mg/l, 20 mg/l, 30 mg/l, 40 mg/l and 50 mg/l. Table 4.1.1 below shows the results of
experiment A while figure 4.1.1 shows us the effect of alum dosage on turbidity in a graph.

Table 4.1.1: Raw data obtain from experiment A

Beaker Beaker 2 Beaker 3 Beaker 4 Beaker 5 Beaker 6

1 (B1) (B2) (B3) (B4) (B5) (B6)
Alum Dosage, mg/l 0.00 10.00 20.00 30.00 40.00 50.00
Initial PH 7.05 7.23 7.10 7.11 7.23 7.21
Initial Turbidity (NTU) 13.90 14.80 22.30 14.00 20.20 13.80
Final PH 7.09 6.87 6.67 6.55 6.80 5.90
Final Turbidity (NTU) 12.00 10.50 2.81 2.20 1.46 2.61
Relative Floc Size Small Small Large Large Large Large
Clarity of Liquid Cloudy Hazy very Clear Very Clear Very clear Moderate
Settling Characteristic Slow Slow Rapid Rapid Rapid Moderate

Graph of Turbidity VS Alum dosage

14.00
12.00
Turbidity (NTU)

10.00
8.00
6.00
4.00
2.00
0.00
0.00 10.00 20.00 30.00 40.00 50.00 60.00
Alum Dosage, mg/l

Figure 4.1.1: Graph of turbidity against alum dosage.

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 Based on Figure 4.1.1 we can observe that as the alum dosage increases, the turbidity
of the lake water decreases till it reached the optimum dosage. This is happened because as we
increase the alum dosage, we are producing more cations which will enhance the binding of
the colloidal to form floc. The reason why the colloidal cannot bind into floc without the help
of coagulant is because of the negative charge present on the surface of the colloidal which
cause them to repel with each other. After the optimum dosage the turbidity of lake water
increases as the alum dosage increases. This happen due to destabilization of particles that
cause floc to break down. When excess cations are present it will cause surface saturation on
the surface of colloidal that causes the colloidal to repel each other because all the colloidal are
positively charged. This is proven in our experiment as we can see in table 4.1.1 the floc size,
clarity of liquid and settling characteristic is lower compared to the optimum dosage. The
optimum alum dosage for a good coagulation is 40 mg/l as it has the lowest turbidity value
which is 1.46 (NTU).

Furthermore, we can observe that the pH value of all six beaker decreases after the experiment.
This happen due to the hydrolysis of the aluminum sulphate that produces hydrogen ion. The
hydrogen ion reacts with the lake water to produce Sulphuric acid that will cause the pH value
to drop due to the acidity. Hence, we can conclude that the optimum alum dosage is 40 mg/l
where the turbidity value is 1.46 (NTU) and the final pH value of this sample is 6.8.

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4.2 Experiment B: Determination of Optimum pH
The main objective of Experiment B is to determine the optimum pH to coagulate the waste
from the lake water. There were six different pH that was tested which 3, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 11.
Table 4.2.1 below shows the results of experiment B while figure 4.2.1 shows us the effect of
pH on turbidity in a graph.

Table 4.2.1: Raw data obtain from experiment B

Beaker 1 Beaker 2 Beaker 3 Beaker 4 Beaker 5 Beaker 6

(B1) (B2) (B3) (B4) (B5) (B6)
PH 3.00 5.00 7.00 8.00 9.00 11.00
Initial Turbidity
(NTU) 13.90 14.80 22.30 14.00 20.20 13.80
Final Turbidity
(NTU) 8.54 8.50 5.04 1.25 1.85 4.08

Graph of Turbidity VS PH
10.00
9.00
8.00
Turbidity (NTU)

7.00
6.00
5.00
4.00
3.00
2.00
1.00
0.00
0.00 2.00 4.00 6.00 8.00 10.00 12.00
PH

Figure 4.2.1: Graph of turbidity against pH value.

Based on figure 4.2.1, we can observe that as the pH value increases the turbidity of the lake
water decreases till it reaches optimum. Coagulation is best to happen in a neutral surrounding
so that the coagulant can neutralize the surface of colloidal to form floc. In an acidic
surrounding, destabilization occur due to surface saturation. The surface of colloidal will be

10
positively charge and by adding coagulant it will not help to neutralize the colloidal to form
floc. Besides, we can observe that as we increase the pH value after the optimum value the
turbidity increases. This happen because of the abundance of hydroxide ion that will interfere
with the coagulation process. Aluminum ion will tend to neutralize with the hydroxide ion
which interfere the binding between aluminum ion with organic substances in the lake water
therefore, this causes the turbidity to increase. Hence, we can conclude that the optimum pH
value for coagulation based on this experiment is 8 where the turbidity of the lake water is 1.25.

4.3 Calculation and Questions

1. What is optimum dosage of alum and at what pH?

The optimum dosage of alum is 40 mg/l at pH 8.

2. Did the pH increase or decrease during coagulation? Why?

The pH decreased during coagulation. This is due to the alum solution as it is an acidic
solution which is cause by the hydrogen ion. The hydrogen ions will react with water
hence decreases the pH of the water.

3. Compare the production of sludge from the experiments done in A and B. Which has
more sludge generation and why?
Experiment B has more sludge production. This is because in experiment B, we used
the optimum dosage of alum which is 40 mg/L, that is suitable for coagulation. Besides,
it is also driven by the pH.

4. What can you conclude from the experiment done on the important factors affecting
coagulation?
From this experiment we can conclude that the dosage of coagulant and the pH of the
wastewater play an important role in coagulation process. Based on our experiment, we
obtained an optimum coagulant dosage of 40 mg/L and optimum pH of solution which
is 8.

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5. Explain why trivalent cations are important for an effective coagulation.
The trivalent cations are important for an effective coagulation because they are much
more efficient at neutralizing particles when compared to monovalent and divalent ions
as they can neutralize more particles per ion. Most colloidal particles have a negative
charge and require a cation to remove their repulsive forces. Therefore, if, instead of
adding a monovalent ion such as sodium or divalent ion, a trivalent ion is added to the
solution, the charge in the solution will reduce faster than when a monovalent or
divalent is being added.

6. Assuming that a water plant influent is 0.044 m3/s and alum is used to remove
particulate matter, reducing the concentration of organic matter and reduce the
alkalinity of water according to the following equation:

Al2(SO4)3.14H2O + 6HCO3- 2Al(OH)3 (s) +6CO2 + 14H2O + 3SO2 -4

If the organic matter concentration is reduced from 8 mg/L to 3 mg/L, determine the
total mass of alkalinity consumed and the total mass of dry solids removed per day
using the optimum dosage obtained.

Molecular Weight (MW) of alum = 594.3392 g/mol

Molecular Weight (MW) of bicarbonate = 61.0168 g/mol

Molecular Weight (MW) of aluminium hydroxide = 78.0036 g/mol

Optimum alum dosage = 40 mg/L = 0.04 g/L

Optimum pH = 8

From the equation above, for one mole of alum added, six moles of bicarbonate are
consumed.

Optimum dosage of alum: 0.04g/L

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To determine the total mole of alkalinity consumed:

0.4 𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑚𝑜𝑙

𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑚 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟 = × = 6.7302 × 10−5
1𝐿 594.3392 𝑔 𝐿

Hence,

𝑚𝑜𝑙
𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑏𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 6.7302 × 10−5 × 6 = 4.0381 × 10−4
𝐿

To determine total alkalinity consumed per day:

4.0381×10−4 𝑚𝑜𝑙 0.044 𝑚 3 1000 𝐿

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑙𝑘𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑎𝑦 = × × ×
𝐿 1𝑠 1 𝑚3
86400 𝑠 0.0610168 𝑘𝑔 𝒌𝒈
× = 𝟗𝟑. 𝟔𝟕 𝒅𝒂𝒚
1 𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑚𝑜𝑙

From the equation above, for one mole of alum added, two moles of aluminium

hydroxide [Al(OH)3] solid are removed.

6.07302×10−5𝑚𝑜𝑙
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐴𝑙(𝑂𝐻)3 𝑑𝑟𝑦 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑎𝑦 = 2 × ×
𝐿

0.044 𝑚 3 1000 𝐿 86400 𝑠 0.0780036 𝑘𝑔 𝑘𝑔

× × × = 39.92 𝑑𝑎𝑦
𝑠 1 𝑚3 1 𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑚𝑜𝑙

(8−3) 𝑚𝑔 0.044 𝑚 3
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑟𝑔𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑐 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑎𝑦 = × ×
𝐿 𝑠
1000 𝐿 86400 𝑠 19008000 𝑚𝑔 𝑘𝑔
× = = 19.008
1 𝑚3 1 𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑑𝑎𝑦

Total mass of dry solids removes per day = 39.92 kg/day + 19.008 kg/day

= 58.928 kg/day

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5.0 Conclusion & Recommendation

Coagulant dosage and pH are important factors that influenced and affect the reading
of turbidity. Based on the experiment, at lower pH, the flocs diameter looks much smaller.
Therefore, the rate of flocculation is lowered at a low pH. As for the second part of the
experiment, the dosage of coagulant at the higher dosage will increase the turbidity.

This is because of the water sample had become slightly acidic. An acidic solution will
have more charged and this will produce smaller and looser floc. The turning point of the graph
shows an optimum amount of coagulant dosage and pH. The lower turbidity will result in a
clearer liquid which means that a huge amount flocculation had been made at the particular
beaker.

Therefore, the most significant factor is the dosage of coagulant where it can increase
the flocculation and the number of sludge increases.

ERRORS AND RECOMMENDATION.

1) The reading of pH and turbidity is not accurate as the concentration is not equal.

During the experiment was conducted, the water sample shouldn't be shaken first. This is to

make sure that the water sample is in the homogenous state. Due to human error, the water
might

exist in heterogeneous and had affected the result of this experiment.

2) The value of turbidity is not accurate as the initial reading is not zero. This is an equipment

error where the machine read a distilled water as 0.04 instead of 0. Which means in every

reading there are some error ±0.04. Make sure do the weekly maintenance of the

machine.

3) The water is not mixed as desired.

14
4) There is an equipment error during the experiment that was conducted where the mixer did
not

mix with accurate speed. Therefore, different beaker will have different speed of mixing.

This has disturbed the reading of pH as well as the turbidity of the water sample. So, the

maintenance of the mixer should be done gradually and fix the rotator before the experiment

was conducted.

15
 6.0 References

association, I. w. (n.d.). Coagulation and Flocculation in Water and Wastewater Treatment. Retrieved
from https://www.iwapublishing.com/news/coagulation-and-flocculation-water-and-
wastewater-treatment

Wastewater treatment. (2018, December). Retrieved from ARVIA:

https://www.arviatechnology.com/three-stages-wastewater-treatment/

Wurts, A, W. (1993). Understanding Water Hardness. World Aquaculture, 24. Retrieved from

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/307122312_Understanding_Water_Hardness

Zieneldien, T. (2018). Determining the Hardness of Various Water Samples. Experiment Findings.
Retrieved from

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328630002_Determining_the_Hardness_of_Vari
ous_Water_Samples \

Tridib, T & Bhudep, R, D. (2006). Flocculation: A New Way to Treat the Waste Water. Journal of
Physical Sciences, 10 (93-127). Retrieved from

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284044586_Flocculation_A_New_Way_to_Treat
_the_Waste_Water

Boyd, C. E., Tucker, C. S. & Viriyatum, R. (2011). Interpretation of pH, Acidity, and Alkalinity
in Aquaculture and Fisheries. North American Journal of Aquaculture, 73 (403-408). Retrieved from

https://naldc.nal.usda.gov/download/55518/PDF

Gomes, H. I., Mayes, W. M., Rogerson, M., Stewart, I. D. & Burked, I. T. (2016). Alkaline
residues and the environment: a review of impacts, management practices and opportunities.
Journal of Cleaner Production, 112 (3571-3582). Retrieved from

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652615013396

16
7.0 Appendices

Raw data of the experiment.

Table 4.1.1: Raw data obtain from experiment A

Beaker Beaker 2 Beaker 3 Beaker 4 Beaker 5 Beaker 6

1 (B1) (B2) (B3) (B4) (B5) (B6)
Alum Dosage, mg/l 0.00 10.00 20.00 30.00 40.00 50.00
Initial PH 7.05 7.23 7.10 7.11 7.23 7.21
Initial Turbidity (NTU) 13.90 14.80 22.30 14.00 20.20 13.80
Final PH 7.09 6.87 6.67 6.55 6.80 5.90
Final Turbidity (NTU) 12.00 10.50 2.81 2.20 1.46 2.61
Relative Floc Size Small Small Large Large Large Large
Clarity of Liquid Cloudy Hazy very Clear Very Clear Very clear Moderate
Settling Characteristic Slow Slow Rapid Rapid Rapid Moderate

Table 4.2.1: Raw data obtain from experiment B

Beaker 1 Beaker 2 Beaker 3 Beaker 4 Beaker 5 Beaker 6

(B1) (B2) (B3) (B4) (B5) (B6)
PH 3.00 5.00 7.00 8.00 9.00 11.00
Initial Turbidity
(NTU) 13.90 14.80 22.30 14.00 20.20 13.80
Final Turbidity
(NTU) 8.54 8.50 5.04 1.25 1.85 4.08

17