Results and Discussion

Characterization of the water samples

As highlighted in the previous section, quality control tests on the fresh water and waste water
samples were carried out and the results obtained are tabulated below.

Waste water Vs STD

Waste water Fresh Water (STD)

S.g 1

Viscosity (cp) 40 1

pH 9.41 7.1

Turbidity (FTU) 800 1

% Total Suspended Solids 27.36% -

Odour Foul Ok

Total Dissolved Solids (g/L)

Total Suspended Solids

Total Dissolved Solids

Dissolved Solids in the wastewater sample was quantified by gravimetric method. The TDS was
calculated using the formula below:
g A−18
Total dissolved solids ( )
=
L Volume of sample (ml)
× 1000

where A = weight of dried residue + evaporating dish (g);

B = weight of the evaporating dish (g).

Jar test
Jar tests were carried out in order to determine the optimum FeCl 3 dosage required for good
coagulation and flocculation for the wastewater. FeCl3 used in this study was supplied by
Weifang Z. Fine Chemicals, 98% purity. 10g FeCl3 were dissolved in 1L clean water and the
volumes were added in each beaker.

Jar 1: 20ml

Concentration of FeCl3:

C × V=Mass

10 g
×0.02 l=0.2 g
l

M
C=
V

0.2 g
=0.476 g /l
0.420l

Jar 2: 40ml

Concentration of FeCl3:

C×V=Mass

10 g
×0.04 l=0.4 g
l

M
C=
V

0.4 g
=0.909 g /l
0.440l

Jar 3: 60ml

Concentration of FeCl3:

C×V=Mass

10 g
×0.06 l=0.6 g
l
 M
C=
V

0.6 g
=1.304 g /l
0.460l

Jar 4: 80ml

Concentration of FeCl3:

C×V=Mass

10 g
×0.08 l=0.8 g
l

M
C=
V

0.8 g
=1.667 g /l
0.480l

Jar 5: 100ml

Concentration of FeCl3:

C×V=Mass

10 g
×0.1 l=1.0 g
l

M
C=
V

1.0 g
=2.00 g /l
0.50 l

Jar 6: 120ml

Concentration of FeCl3:

C×V=Mass
10 g
×0.12 l=1.2 g
l

M
C=
V

1.2 g
=2.308 g/l
0.52l

Jar 1 2 3 4 5 6

Vol. of waste water 400 400 400 400 400 400

Vol. of 10g/l FeCl3 added (ml) 20 40 60 80 100 120

FeCl3 Conc. (g/l) 0.48 0.91 1.30 1.67* 2.00* 2.31*

For jars 1, 2 and 3 no flocculation occurred. A well formed sludge and clear water was observed
in jar 4. Even though flocculation occurred in jars 5 and 6, turbid water was recovered and the
graphs below show the turbidity measurements at 2 minute intervals for jars 4, 5 and 6 as Series
1, 2 and 3 respectively.
Since the optimum concentration for the coagulant (FeCl3) lied between 1.30g/l and 1.67g/L but
for 1.30g/l no coagulation occurred, therefore the optimum concentration was determined as
1.67g/l

Results obtained from Jar 4 at 1.67g/L are represented in graphs below

Characterization of the treated waste water Sample
After addition of the coagulant the latter was allowed to sediment and the recovered water
filtered. Quality control tests were performed again on the recovered water and the results
obtained are tabulated below.
Treated waste water Sample Vs STD

Treated Waste water Fresh water (STD)

S.g 1

Viscosity (cp) 40 1

pH 7.2 7.1

Turbidity (FTU) 800 1

% Solids 27.36% -

Odour Foul Ok

Total Dissolved Solids g/L

Test batches using the recovered water from FeCl3 at 1.67g/L.

Q.C Specifications Batch Test 1 ( R/Grip Tint Base 7 )

S.g (1.40-1.42) 1.40

Viscosity (90-95 KU) 95

pH ( 8.0- 9.0) 9.1

Whiteness Ok
 Tint Strength (ΔL = -0.8 to 1.5) L= Δ 0.8

Q.C Specifications Batch Test 2 (Crafts man Nukote)

S.g (1.40-1.42) 1.42

Viscosity (100-110 KU) 110

pH ( 8.5- 9.5) 9.3

Whiteness Ok

The pH of both test batches was monitored over a period of 30 days at room temperature and
conditions to ensure stability of the paint properties. Graphs below represent the results
observed.

Results Evaluation and Discussion

To determine the optimum concentration of ferric chloride required to effect good flocculation of
wastewater without overdosing, jar tests were carried out. The same volume of wastewater was
added to each beaker, namely 400 ml, but the volume of FeCl 3 was varied. Table 1 shows the
concentration of FeCl3that corresponds to the volume of ferric chloride dosed into each jar. The
concentrations at which flocculation occurs are marked with asterisks (*) that is 1.67g/l, 2.00g/l
and 2.31g/l. From the tests carried out, the onset of flocculation occurs for ferric chloride
between a concentration of 1.30 and 1.67 g/l. However the 1.30 g/l test did not work! This
implies that the lower ferric chloride concentration limit for coagulation is between 1.30 g/l and
1.67 g/l. In other words insufficient coagulant was added to the 1.30 g/l beaker for coagulation to
occur.

For the higher concentration solutions, 2.00g/l and 2.31g/l the coagulation occurred immediately
on addition of the coagulant and the flocs formed were larger. This is in contrast to the addition
of a 1.67 g/l solution that favours gradual growth of fine floc particles. The coarse flocs tend to
float on the surface of the water rather than settle out. Moreover, the liquid recovered on addition
of highly concentrated ferric chloride feed was still hazy after flocculation, for both cases. These
results can be explained as follows: It was mentioned in the previous chapters that there is
competition between the precipitation of ferric hydroxides and the interaction of hydrolysed
ferric species with the colloidal particles of the suspension. In the case of lower ferric feed
concentrations (1.67 g/l), the precipitation reaction is slow, so that the ferric polycations react
with colloid particles. For all of the higher concentration ferric chloride feed solutions the
precipitation reaction is accelerated by the higher ferric concentration. As soon as the coagulant
comes into to contact with hydroxide ions in the wastewater, it precipitates. The flocs formed
have a much higher ferric content, so that the same amount of coagulant only partially removes
the colloidal particles and the water remains turbid meaning the coagulant has been used
inefficiently. In all cases, the pH of the water recovered decreases marginally as more ferric
chloride is added and lies in the range of 7.2 to 7.5.The trend in turbidity for all the
concentrations at which flocculation occurred is represented in figure X. For the all the
concentrations the turbidity decreased sharply during the first few minutes of the experiment and
levels up to 7,32 and 64FTU for the concentrations 1.67, 2.00and 2.31g/l respectively. The
optimum concentration selected was 1.67g/l.
After all the purification processes to remove traces of dye, odors and inhibit bacterial growth
has been done, trial batches were run using the recovered water. Results obtained are shown in
table 4 and 5 for both R/grip tint base 7 and B.G Craftsman Nukote respectively. It is interesting
to note that all the quality control values were within the specified range including the pastel
base tint strength.

To investigate on the stability of these test batches, the samples were stored under room
temperature and conditions for a period of 30 days. pH was closely monitored over time. This
was important because pH will have a major effect on several properties of the coating and needs
to be maintained for the additives, pigments and emulsions to work together. The first, and
probably the most obvious effect, would be on the viscosity. Many thickeners are based upon
carboxylic acid-containing polymers or polymers that interact with the hydronium ion or
hydroxide. The ionic interactions along the polymer chain, either by having the ionic groups as a
part of the chain or associated with the chain, cause the chain to become elongated, which
increases the viscosity. Any change in the pH can result in an increase or decrease in viscosity.
Another area would be the pigment dispersion stability. The point of zero charge on pigments is
the pH at which the surface of the particle has no charge. When the pH is increased above this
value it is usually negatively charged, and below this point it can become positively charged. For
this reason the pH is to be maintained above this value so that all the pigments are negatively
charged. If all particles are negative, they will repel each other and if there are positive and
negatively charged particles, flocculation may occur. A shift in the pH due to amine loss or
carbon dioxide absorption can therefore result in flocculation as the pH decreases.

However, as represented in fig XXX both samples exhibited good pH stability. It is interesting to
note that the recycled water can be used for cleaning and batch processes for low-end water
based paint formulations.