CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

POLITEKNIK SULTAN IDRIS SHAH

Sungai Lang, 45100 Sungai Air Tawar,
Selangor Darul Ehsan
Tel : 03-32806200 Faks : 03-32806400

DCN20072
E N V I R O N M E N T A L E N G I N E E R I N G L A B O R AT O R Y 1

EXPERIMENT TITLE :
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STUDENT’S PROFILE:
 ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY 1 DCN20072

TITTLE
JAR TEST AND SETTLEABILITY TEST (SLUDGE VOLUME INDEX)

OBJECTIVE
1. To determine the optimum concentration of coagulant to be added to the water sample
to obtain less turbid water.
2. To measure the physical characteristics of sludge through Sludge Volume Index (SVI)

INTRODUCTION
Jar test is a method of imitating a full-scale water treatment process in order to provide system
operators a good concept of how a treatment chemical will react and work with a certain type of raw
water. The Jar Test allows for the proper selection and dosage of chemical coagulants used in
wastewater treatment plants to remove suspended debris and contaminants. Chemical coagulant
selection and dosing are based on the findings of a laboratory Jar test that simulates full-scale
operation in water treatment plants. Lime (calcium hydroxide), Alum (aluminium sulphate), and Iron
salts are the most often applied coagulants (ferric or ferrous). Every water treatment process
requires flocculation or coagulation, which is a preparatory step for sedimentation, filtration, and
disinfection before distributing water for residential and industrial use.
Jar testing can help system operators discover which treatment chemical will perform best with
their system's raw water because it simulates full-scale operation. Jar testing comprises altering the
amount and order in which treatment chemicals are administered to raw water samples contained
in jars or beakers. The sample is then swirled to allow for observation of the creation, development,
and settlement of floc, much as it would be in a full-scale treatment facility. Floc clumps together
when treatment chemicals react with particles in the raw water. The operator then runs a series of
tests to assess the effects of various doses of flocculation agents at various pH levels in order to
find the proper floc size for a given plant. The appropriate floc size is determined by the filter
dimensions of the system as well as other factors.
The settleable solids test on wastewater can reveal a lot to the operator about the type of
wastewater entering the plant and how the solids settle. The settleable solids are measured in
millilitres per litre using an Imhoff cone. To establish the weight of the settled materials in the cone,
they must be dried and weighed using suitable processes. The settleable solids test can also assist
the operator in estimating the amount of sludge that will be present in the clarifier. For this test,
grab or composite samples will suffice. An Imhoff cone is used for the test.

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PROCEDURE (FLOWCHART) :

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DATA AND RESULT :

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DATA ANALYSIS /CALCULATION :

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 ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY 1 DCN20072

DISCUSSION :
The type of coagulant used, its dose and mass, the pH and beginning turbidity of the water
being treated, and the qualities of the contaminants present all influence coagulation.
Pretreatments like oxidation have an impact on the coagulation process' efficacy. For the
final result experiment, the lake water for point A for the initial the turbidity was 62.7 NTU
and the pH was 6 before the jar test experiment was conducted. During the conduct of
experiment it was found that the highest final turbidity was 43.1 NTU at 50ml and the lowest
was at 10ml which was 7.38 NTU. For pH all are 4 ranging from 10ml to 50ml. According to
Water Standard quality Malaysia Turbidity on the control resistance is not in class. While the
pH for both of these is in class IIA which means the water required a conventional treatment.
Solids, organic materials, and, in certain cases, nutrients are removed from wastewater
using a combination of physical, chemical, and biological processes and operations in
traditional wastewater treatment. Because the water level is still below 7. But for this water
aquatic species are sensitive because the water can be harmful which causes pollution.
Evaluating the performance of prospective coagulants or flocculants requires both
significant volumes of water/wastewater samples (liters) and experimental time (hours). As
for point A the time is from 30 to 120 minutes and the volume of settled particles (ml) are
39,40,46 and 60.
Point B lake water initial turbidity is 64.4 NTU and initial pH is 6. After the experiment was
conduct the highest turbidity is 4.55 NTU and lowest is 1.73 NTU. When applying the result
for water standard quality found out that point B turbidity final result was at class I which
mean is same as point A which is no treatment are necessary. It also very sensitive to
aquatic species. The pH number for 2ml to 10 ml was 6,4,4,4, and 4. Which can see that the
final result which is still lower pH means that there are more hydrogen ions in the liquid,
whereas a higher pH indicates fewer hydrogen ions in the liquid. pH values lower than 7 are
acidic. The ph class for this point B is still the same which is class I. The time is remind the
same 30minutes to 120minutes which volume of settle of particle (ml)happened to be
44,54,64 and 74.
For the last sample kaolin clay the initial turbidity is 126 and initial ph is 7. The number
change drastically when experiment conduct. Which happened to be control turbidity
remind the highest 164NTU and lowest is 72.6NTU. In the water treatment industry, alum is
one of the most extensively utilised coagulants. The inorganic salts of aluminium are more
commonly utilised as coagulants in water and wastewater treatment. Al ions readily
hydrolyze in water, forming a variety of metal hydrolysis products. The negatively charged
particles adsorb these cationic species, which neutralise the charge. Particles become
destabilised and aggregation occurs as a result of this mechanism. Coagulation is
influenced by the amount of coagulant used as well as the pH. Almost all colloids in water
are negatively charged, and they may remain stable due to electrical repulsion. The addition
of salts or cations that interact with negative colloids to neutralise their charge could be
used to destabilise the system which why it remind the highest among all turbidity result.
For kaolin clay final the ph changed from 7 to 3 which means the ph is in class III which
means this lake water sample needs extensive treatment. While alum and ferric-based
coagulants are acidic in nature and cause a pH reduction in wastewater, their primary
function is to neutralise electrical charges of tiny particles in water and clump them
together. A jar test is the most accurate approach to determine coagulant dose. suitable for
aquatic animal life, economic value and tolerant species. Can also be used as a livestock
drink. And time for 30 – 120 minutes is for volume particle is 6,5,6 and 6 (ml).
The limitation of the jar test is coagulation causes floc to form, but flocculation is required
to assist the floc aggregate and settle further. Other processes such as oxidation, filtering,
and sedimentation are required for comprehensive raw water or wastewater treatment
because the coagulation-flocculation process eliminates only around 60%-70% of Natural
Organic Matter (NOM). To improve the efficiency of the procedure, coagulant aids (polymers
that connect the colloids) are frequently used.

POSTLAB QUESTIONS :
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CONCLUSION :
The conclusion for this lab is achieve the objective which is to determine the optimum
concentration of coagulant to be added to the water sample to obtain less turbid water. And
measure the physical characteristics of sludge through Sludge Volume Index (SVI). Because
of its inexpensive cost and ubiquitous availability, alum is the initial coagulant of choice.
Pretreatment with lime, soda ash, or caustic soda is usually required for colourful, low
turbidity, low pH/alkalinity surface waters in order to reach the appropriate coagulation
(dosed-water) pH.
Aluminum and ferric-based coagulants operate most effectively in a certain pH range alum
5.5–7.5 as is the case with all water sources taken. Wastewater with a higher pH value may
require pH neutralization before being sent through wastewater process equipment jar water
test. Based on the data, infer that while turbidity decreases as the amount of alum added to
the water increases, there is a threshold at which more alum should not be added. This is
because alum causes the water to become more acidic. To avoid these issues, buffer should
be mixed with the same amount of alum and added at the same time as the alum.. To ensure
maximal contact with the colloidal particles to be flocculated, the polymer must be uncoiled.
The Jar Test results will be very unreliable if the following protocols are not followed.

REFERENCES :
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