Sanitary laboratory

Test No. 8
Jar test
The jar test is a common laboratory producer used to determine the optimum
operating conditions for water or wastewater treatment. This method allow
adjustment in pH variations in coagulant or polymer dose, alternating mixing
speed, or testing of different coagulant on a small scale in order to predict the
functioning of a largescale treatment operation. A jar test simulates the
coagulation and flocculation process that encourage the removal of suspended
colloids and organic matter which can lead to turbidity, odor and taste
problems. The jar test apparat (Figure 1) contains six paddles which stir the
contents of six 1 liter containers, a rpm gage at the top- center of the device
allows for uniform control of the mixing speed of the containers. Coagulants
are chemical additions such as metallic salts which help to cause smaller
aggregates to form larger particles.

Jar test procedure

1- Determine the initial turbidity (T )̥ of water sample then fill the jar test
apparatus containers with sample water.

2- Add the coagulant to each container and stir approximately (100- 150) rpm
for (20-60) sec, the rapid mix stage helps to disperse the coagulant throughout
each container.

3-reduce the stirring speed to (25-35) rpm and continue mixing for (20 -60)
min, this slower mixing speed helps promote floc formation by enhancing
particle collisions which led to larger flocs.

4- Turn off the mixers and allow the containers to settle for (30 -45) min, then
measure the final turbidity (Ti) in each container. Removal efficiency of each
container is calculated from the following equation:

1
Sanitary laboratory

Figure 1 (Jar test apparatus)

𝑻 ̥ − 𝑻𝒊
𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 (%) =
𝑻̥

The coagulant that use in the laboratory is Alum (Al2 (SO4)3. 16 H2O) take 2gm/l
(2000 mg/l) of alum

𝑉𝑜𝑙. 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑚 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑐. 1 − 6

=
800𝑚𝑙 2000 𝑚𝑔/𝑙

Concentration
Sample
of Vol. (ml)
No.
alum (mg/l)
1 10 4
2 20 8
3 40 16
4 60 24
5 80 32
6 120 48