Jar Test: Coagulation & Flocculation

CE 360 Laboratory Exercise 7

(100 points)

THEORY
The cause of turbidity in natural water depends on the type of reservoir and location. In waters under
relatively quiescent conditions, most turbidity will be due to colloidal and extremely fine dispersions. In
flood conditions, most turbidity will be due to relatively coarse dispersions. Turbidity may be caused by a
wide variety of materials. In runoff areas farming, or other operations that disturb the soil, may contribute
to turbidity. Under flood conditions, great amounts of topsoil are washed to receiving streams. Certain
industrial waste may add large amounts of organic substances and other inorganic substances that produce
turbidity.

Turbidity is important from a public health standpoint because water with high amounts of turbidity is not
easy to disinfect. In addition, turbidity is objectionable from an aesthetic standpoint. Excessive turbidity in
drinking water can affect the filters used in the process of water purification, particularly if there is no
coagulation/flocculation process to treat the water before it is pumped to the filters.

MATERIALS
Apparatus
Turbidimeter, Turbidity standards, Phipps bird six-place stirrer, Beakers, Pipettes

Reagent and samples

Water samples, Turbidity standards, 0.5% alum solution

PROCEDURE
Jar test to determine the turbidity of a water sample using a HACH Turbidimeter.
1. Add 1 liter of the water sample to each of the plastic beakers.
2. Measure the pH, alkalinity, and turbidity of the raw water
3. Prepare a stock solution of the Alum with a concentration of 5.0 g/L. Add different volumes of the
alum stock to the raw water samples to be coagulated. The instructor will specify details.
4. Place the beaker under the 6- places stirrer, immerse the blades and stir the water sample at the
maximum rpm (95rpm). Immediately add the contents of the above test tube to each beaker. Let the
sample mix at 95 rpm for 30 sec. Then decrease the speed to 25 rpm and mix for period of 15-30 min.
5. Observe the flocculation process, recording your observations at regular intervals. Record the time
when you first observe flocs forming in each of the beakers. If the flocs get bigger and start to settle
out, stop the flocculation.
6. At the end of mixing period, turn off the stirrer, and wait for 10-30 minutes for the flocs to settle out.
Next, carefully remove the supernatant from each beaker using the valves and determine the turbidity
in each of the sample. Also measure the pH and alkalinity in the sample from each beaker.

CALCULATIONS and DATA ANALYSIS

 (13 points) For the jar test results, develop a plot of the final turbidity vs. alum dosage. Comment on
the shape of your turbidity vs. alum dosage curve. Using this curve, determine the "optimum" dosage
of alum for the given water sample.
 (7 points) Comment on the following from your observations: How did the turbidity of the water
samples change with time? When (i.e., after how many minutes) did the flocs start to form? At what
dosage of alum did flocs start to form? Did you observe floc break up?
 (16 points) Calculate the theoretical and measured alkalinity consumption for each alum dose; how
close are the results? Explain any discrepancy. Were the jar tests performed within an optimal range of
pH? What coagulant aid, if any, would you add to adjust pH? Was there sufficient alkalinity in the
tested water to neutralize the sulfuric acid formed by the addition of alum at optimal dosage?
 (4 points) If you were to design a repeat experiment to further optimize the alum dosage, what would
you do differently?

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QUESTIONS
1. (4 points) What are the causes of turbidity in natural water?
2. (4 points) Name three coagulants used in water treatment and include their molecular formula. Also,
name one common coagulant aid.
3. (2 points) Rank the following chemicals in increasing order of efficiency (lowest to highest) as
coagulating agents: (i) alum; (ii) sodium chloride, (iii) magnesium sulfate.

REFERENCES
American Public Health Association (2017). Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 23rd Edition, American Public Health Association, Washington D.C.
Sawyer, C. N., McCarty, P.L, and Parkin, G.F. (2003). Chemistry for Environmental Engineering.
McGraw-Hill, New York, NY.

Lab Report Grading Rubric

Section of report Max Score
Cover Sheet 2% Example provided at the end of the syllabus.
Formulate your own concise paragraph describing
the objective of the lab. This sets the stage for your
Objective 5%
report. Be sure all objectives have been addressed in
the report.
Description of lab activities and data analysis steps
to produce results in students’ own words (including
any sample calculations). Students do not need to
Procedure 15%
reproduce the materials, methods, and procedures
listed in the lab handout; rather, cite the handout*
and then explain any procedures not included.
Complete set of well-formatted results for the given
lab with accompanying discussion and
interpretation. Be sure to address all prompts and
Results & Discussion 40%
include all requested calculations, tables, figures,
and discussion. Point values for specific results are
provided in each lab handout.*
Brief summary of key findings, including
Conclusions 10% numerical results. Nothing should be said for the
first time in this section
An essential section of any professional document.
For this course, students will typically only need to
References 3%
reference the lab handout and/or the standards
methods book. *
Referring to additional questions asked at the end of
Answers to questions 10% the report. In labs without questions, these points
are added to the results and discussions section.
Proper sentence structure and grammar. Good flow
Clarity of writing 15% throughout report that leads the reader. No use of
pronouns.
* Details on formatting and expectations are provided in the example lab report and guide posted on Sakai

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Coagulation and Flocculation Data Sheet Share data amongst groups

Date:

Volume Alkalinity Consumption

Alum
Sample Initial Initial Initial of Stock Final Final Final
Dosage
(Jar #) pH Alkalinity Turbidity Alum pH Alkalinity Turbidity
(calculate) Measured Theoretical
Added
(mg/L as (mg/L as
- - (NTU) (mL) (mg/L) - (NTU) (mg/L as CaCO3)
CaCO3) CaCO3)

Water sample volume in each jar: ______________ L Theoretical Alkalinity Consumption Equation& Calculations:

Molecular weight Molecular weight

Al 27 Al2(SO4)3.14H2O 594
O 16 Al2(SO4)3 342
H 1
S 32

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Coagulation and Flocculation Observation Recording Sheet
This page is provided for organized note keeping to assist in writing your discussion section.

Elapsed Time Observations

10

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50

Other: