CMT565

WATER AND WASTEWATER TECHNOLOGY

EXPERIMENT 6: COAGULATION AND FLOCCULATION




FATIN AMIRAH BINTI MOHD YUSOF 2012248846

EXPERIMENT 6: COAGULATION AND FLOCCULATION

Aim:
To determine the optimum pH of coagulation, optimum concentration of coagulant and
optimum concentration of floccculant.

Introduction:
Coagulation and flocculation are important unit processes in water and wastewater
treatment plants. The purpose of coagulation/flocculation is to remove suspended matter,
turbidity, colour, microorganisms and odour producing substances. Coagulation involves the
addition of chemicals to destabilize the suspended particles, colloidal materials, and
macromolecules. Flocculation is usually defined as the aggregation of destabilized particles
into larger flocs under slow mixing conditions. The flocs formed are subsequently removed
by sedimentation and/or filtration.

Apparatus:
PH meter
Conical flask
Graduated pipette
Beakers
Chemicals/Reagents:
Coagulant
Flocculant
Sulphuric acid
Sodium hydroxide





Procedures:

1. To determine the Optimum pH of Coagulation
















2. To determine the Optimum Concentration of Coagulant





















Four conical flasks were filled
with 100ml wastewater and
the pH of each flasks were
adjusted to 6.0, 6.5, 7.0 and
7.5 by adding sulphuric acid
and sodium hydroxide
The flasks were let to
stand in slanting
position for 20 minutes
1.0ml of flocculant was
added into each flask.
The flasks were swirled
for a minute.

1.0ml of coagulant was
added into each flask.
The flasks were swirled
for a minute.
1.0ml of flocculant was
added into each flask.
The flasks were swirled
for a minute.

Coagulant with
different volume (1ml,
2ml, 3ml and 4ml)
were added into each
flask. The flasks were
swirled
Four flasks were filled
with 100ml of wastewater
with optimum pH
obtained from previous
experiment
The flasks were let to
stand in slanting
position for 20 minutes
3. To determine the Optimum Concentration of Floccculant









Results:

Optimum pH of Coagulation obtained 6.0
Optimum Concentration of Coagulant
obtained (ppm)
3.0
Optimum Concentration of Flocculant
obtained (ppm)
2.0








Flocculant with different
volume (1ml, 2ml, 3ml
and 4ml) were added into
each flask. The flasks
were swirled

Four flasks were filled with
100ml of wastewater with
optimum pH and optimum
concentration of coagulant
obtained from previous
experiment

The flasks were let to
stand in slanting
position for 20 minutes
Discussion:
Coagulant chemicals come in two main types - primary coagulants and coagulant
aids. Primary coagulants neutralize the electrical charges of particles in the water which
causes the particles to clump together. Coagulant aids add density to slow-settling flocs and
add toughness to the flocs so that they will not break up during the mixing and settling
processes. Primary coagulants are always used in the coagulation/flocculation process.
Coagulant aids, in contrast, are not always required and are generally used to reduce
flocculation time.
Chemically, coagulant chemicals are either metallic salts (such as alum) or
polymers. Polymers are man-made organic compounds made up of a long chain of smaller
molecules. Polymers can be eithercationic (positively charged), anionic (negatively charged),
or nonionic (neutrally charged.) The table below shows many of the common coagulant
chemicals and lists whether they are used as primary coagulants or as coagulant
aids.Different sources of water need different coagulants, but the most commonly used are
alum and ferric sulfate.

Flocculation refers to the process by which destabilized particles actually conglomerate into
larger aggregates so that they can be separated from the wastewater. Based from the
experiment conducted, the optimum pH of coagulation obtained is at 6.0. The optimum
concentration of coagulant obtained is 3.0 ppm. The optimum concentration of flocculant
obtained is 2.0 ppm.






Questions:
1. Why must the flask be shaken gently after adding the flocculant?
To mix the flocculant throughout the water being tested, it is important that
mixing is not too severe so as to break up the flocs that are formed. So there is a
fine balance between thorough mixing and floc destruction.

2. Can flocculant be added before the coagulant?
No, because coagulation should be done first since it leads to formation of
microscopic particles which are aggregated by the flocculant into macroscopic
flocs through loose or open networks. Flocculants are usually long polymers to be
able to form these networks that sort of enmesh the aggregated particles.


Conclusion:
As the conclusion, the optimum pH of coagulation obtained is at 6.0. The optimum
concentration of coagulant obtained is 3.0 ppm. The optimum concentration of flocculant
obtained is 2.0 ppm.


References:
http://www.norweco.com/html/lab/test_methods/4500norgbfp.htm
http://www.gec.jp/JSIM_DATA/WATER/WATER_1/html/Doc_210.html