Intro

Jar test is a laboratory procedure to determine the optimum coagulant dose. A

jar test simulates the coagulation and flocculation processes that encourage the
removal of suspended colloids which can lead to turbidity. Colloidal particles
are in the size range between dissolved substance and suspended particles which
are too small to be removed by sedimentation or by normal filtration processes.
The colloidal particles exhibit the Tyndall effect; that is, when light passes
through liquid containing colloidal particles, the light is reflected by the
particles. The degree to which colloidal suspension reflects light at 90 angle to
the entrance beam is measured by turbidity. The unit of measure is a Turbidity
Unit (TU) or Nephlometric Turbidity Unit (NTU). The coagulation process
promotes particle agglomeration. The suspended particles carry a negative
electrostatic charge which means that they repulse each other and thus stay in
suspension. If their electrostatic charge can be neutralized, they would become
destabilized, attract each other, agglomerate and settle. Chemical coagulant
which is alum added to the water sample and for a brief period rapid mixing is
carried out to completely dissolve the coagulant in the water. In flocculation
process, the flocculating agent is gently mixed to allow for contact between the
small flocs and to agglomerate them into larger particles. The newly formed
agglomerated particles are quite fragile and can be broken apart by shear forces
during mixing. The high amount of alum dosage will increase the tendency of
the floc to float and not settle. Once suspended particles are flocculated into
larger particles, they can usually be removed from the liquid by sedimentation.

Objective

To determine optimum dose of coagulant using jar test method.