NAME: MASUNUNGURE EDWIN S

STUDENT NO: N0187746Y

FACULTY: ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT: CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

COURSE: CHEMICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

EXPERIMENT 1 To investigate the effect of Floculant dosage rate

Abstract………………………………………………3

Aim…………………………………………………. 3

Objectives…………………………………………... 3

Theoretical Background………………………….….3

Apparatus…………………………………………….4

Proceedure……………………………………………4

Analysis of results …………………………………5

Results …………………………………………….. 5

Discussion…………………………………………..5

Conclussion……………………………………..… 6

References…………………………………………. 7
Abstract
This experiment was done inorder to show the effect of flocculant dosage rate. This process is usually done at
Chemical Engineering plants such as in mines and water treatment plants as a way for water treatment on
waste water.Colloids (suspended solids) are to be sedimented which are characterized by their light weight
and the surface charge that will prevent them from agglomeration. One of the objectives of water treatment is
to promote the settling of suspended matter.
The experiment was done firstly by adding Chemical Coagulants to raw water and for a brief period rapid
mixing to produce microfloc. The next process is to subject the microfloc solution to controlled turbulence to
bring the microflocs together to form a floc of enough size that will settle and this process is called
flocculation. This process is repeated at different amounts of flocculants to check the different rates.
The factors which determine the rate of flocculation are the type of colloids in suspension, the temperature,
pH, and chemical composition of the water, the type and dosage of coagulants, and the degree and time of
mixing provided for chemical dispersion and floc formation.

Aim
The aim of this experiment is to determine the concentration to treat the water sample from the mine
effluent.

Objectives
1) To determine the time taken to sediment suspended solids in the givens ample by varying the flocculant
concentration
2) To determine the optimum time and concentration to achieve sedimentation of suspended particles.
Theoretical Background
Matter in water cannot settle by itself so a coagulant is required to achieve removal by coagulation and
subsequent flocculation, followed by sedimentation. The result of this treatment is depending on many
factors, such as coagulant dose, pH, reaction period and supplied energy of the stirring device.
Color is a useful term that is used to describe a solution state. But it is difficult to distinguish ‘dissolved color’
and ‘colloidal color’. Some color is caused by colloidal iron or manganese complexes. Although, the most
common cause of color is from complex organic compounds that originate from the decomposition of organic
matter. Most color seems to be between 3.5 and 10μm, which is colloidal. Color is measured by the ability of
the solution to absorb light. Color particles can be removed by the methods discussed for dissolved or
colloidal, depending upon the state of the color. Finely dispersed solid (colloids) suspended in wastewater are
stabilized by negative electric charges on their surfaces, causing them to repel each other. Since this prevents
these charged particles from colliding to form larger masses, called flocs, they do not settle. To assists in the
removal of colloidal particles form suspension, chemical coagulations and flocculation are required. These
processes, usually done in sequence, are a combination of physical and chemical procedures. Chemicals are
mixed with wastewater to promote the aggregation of the suspended solids into particles large enough to
settle or be removed. Coagulation is the destabilization of colloids by neutralizing the forces that keep them
apart. Cationic coagulants provide positive electric charges to reduce the negative charge of the colloids. As a
result, the particles collide to form larger particles (floc). Rapid mixing is required to disperse the coagulant
throughout the liquid. The coagulants overdose can cause a complete charge reversal and destabilize the
colloid complex. A coagulant is the substance that is added to the water to accomplish coagulation.

Apparatus
Measuring cylinder

Flocculant Solution

Beakers

5ml syringe

Wastewater
Procedure
1. Effluent wastewater from a gold mine was provided in a bottle to be used

2. The sample to a homogenous sample was then shaken to mix the contents

3. 60ml of the sample was then added to the measuring cylinder and shaken the again, taking note of the time
taken for the sample to sediment.

4. Repetition of step 3 using 60ml of the wastewater sample and add 1ml of the flocculant was done

5. Repetition of part 4 by adding different ml of the flocculant, 2ml, 3ml, 4ml and 5ml. This was done to show the
differences.

Precautions
 Avoid spillages
 Avoid direct contact with the raw water
 Wearing gloves and other protective clothing
 Rinse the measuring cylinder after every experiment

Results

Table of results
Experiment number Flocculant Concentration Time(s)
(per 60ml)
1 0 230
2 1 166
3 2 161
4 3 107
5 4 105
6 5 105

a) Curve of the flocculant concentration against the time taken for water to clarify.
 Flocculant Concentration against time taken to
clear
6

5
Concentration (per 60ml)

1 R² = 0.8449

0
0 50 100 150 200 250
-1
Time (s)

Optimum concentration reached at 5ml with time remaining at 105 seconds.

Discussion
From the experiment and and the results there seems to be a negative correlation with R = 0.8449 between
concentration of flocculant and the time taken for the solution to clear as the concentration increased , the
time needed for the clearing decreased as shown by the graph.
An increase in flocculant concentration results in a decrease in time for clearing although at the last
experiment there was no decrease in time due to certain factors which were now determining as optimum
time was reached.

Conclusion
This experiment showed clearly that there is a relationship between concentration of flocculant and the time
needed for sediments to settle and this is important to be applied in water cleaning and waste management .
An increase in amount (concentration) of Flocculant resulted in a short time of clearing therefore its important
factor. A different result of no change in time at the last experiment occurred due to other factors like the
temperature, pH, and chemical composition of the water, the type and dosage of coagulants which were also
affecting the rate of flocculant action as mentioned above and optimum concentration and time reached.

Sources of errors

 measuring the amounts incorrectly on both measuring cylinder and syringe

  taking note of the clock
 not being able to repeat experiments
 error of parallax in measuring cylinder
 not shaking contents well

Ways to improve

 repeating the experiment as many times as possible

 shaking the contents well in order to maintain homogeneity
 avoid all sources of distractions

References
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13201-014-0262-y

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Effects-of-flocculant-type-and-dosage-on-settling-rate-pH-8_fig2_279773302

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