Removal of

contaminate
and surface
water
suspended
solids by
sedimentation

By

Name: Tran Hoang Thanh Truc

Course: Environmental Technology Lab
Teacher: Dr. Katalin Czifrak
INTRODUCTION

DEFINITIONS
Sedimentation: separation techniques using gravity force to separate suspended particles in
liquid medium, suitable for large scale operation at minimum cost but pretty time
consuming.
Coagulation: is applied to remove colloidal particles they are non-settable without chemical
treatment. The method allows aggregates generation by minimizing the repulsive force
between colloids.
Flocculation: is the large sets of linkage of coagulated particles
Clarification: promotes the micro- and macro-flake settlement based on chemical dose.
Clarification = coagulation + flocculation + sedimentation
Formation of microspheres:

Formation of macrospheres:

Turbidity (not favorable): caused by finely divided organic or inorganic substances,

plankton, microorganisms. It is determined by light scattering intensity of discrete particles
in solution.

TASK DESCRIPTION
The sedimentation process is studied in our experiment. Two sedimentation agents are
introduced to test their effectiveness namely Al2(SO4)3 and BOPAC (polyaluminium
chloride). A specific amount of tested chemicals, distilled water and waste water are
introduced into the test tubes with homogeneous mixing. In a 60 minutes run, the
sedimentation rate is recorded 6 times, our final solutions are then shaken and measured pH.

RESULT SUMMARY
Al2(SO4)3 works perfectly under low concentration within short amount of time. However,
final pH correction is needed. BOPAC, on the other hand, has lower effectivity but does not
require further pH adjustment as the neutrality of water is approximately remained.

1
CALCULATION

DATA TABLE

SEDIMENTATION

Sedimentation in (ml)
Al2(SO4)3
0 min 10 min 20 min 30 min 40 min 50 min 60 min
(ml)
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0.1 0 0.14 0.21 0.23 0.25 0.36 0.4
0.5 0 0.35 0.66 0.71 0.95 1.28 1.81
1 0 0.6 1 1.3 1.8 2.1 2.5
1.5 0 1 2 3.5 3.9 4.3 4.8
2 0 1.8 2.5 3.6 4 4.6 5.1

Al2(SO4)3
6

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5

0 min 10 min 20 min 30 min 40 min 50 min 60 min

2
 Sedimentation in (ml)
BOPAC
0 min 10 min 20 min 30 min 40 min 50 min 60 min
(ml)
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1.5 0 0.1 0.25 0.3 0.4 0.7 0.8
2 0 0.5 0.8 1.5 2.4 3.6 4.5

BOPAC
5

4.5

3.5

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5

0 min 10 min 20 min 30 min 40 min 50 min 60 min

MEASURED PH
Al2(SO4)3 pH BOPAC pH
0.0 6.4 0.0 6.6
0.1 6.1 0.1 6.5
0.5 5.9 0.5 6.8
1.0 5.7 1.0 7.0
1.5 5.5 1.5 7.2
2.0 5.3 2.0 7.0

3
DISCUSSION

Within identical initial conditions, our result has proved that Al2(SO4)3 is more powerful
because it promotes the sedimentation even at very low concentration within a short period
of time. On the other hand, BOPAC only activates when 1.5 ml is added to the mixture
(requires 15 times higher than aluminum sulphate coagulant).

Nevertheless, our final mixture with added aluminum sulphate is slightly acidic. This can be
explained that when dosed into water, a reaction between this reagent and the natural
alkalinity of water (usually calcium bicarbonate) produces aluminum hydroxide floc and
carbon dioxide with a consequent reduction in pH.
Al2(SO4)3 + 3Ca(HCO3)2 → 2Al(OH)3 + 3CaSO4 + 6CO2
Also one of its disadvantages is prior pH control is mandatory since if the water has
insufficient alkalinity or ‘buffering’ capacity, additional alkali must be added.

Although BOPAC seems does not very active in our study, high basicity coagulants depress
the pH of the treated water less than aluminum sulphate. Hence, this minimizes the need for
coagulation pH adjustment and reduces an alkali dose requirement.

SIGNATURE

Name: Tran Hoang Thanh Truc

Neptun code: A2BAFL
Signature: