Laboratory 3 - Coagulation Using Jar Testing

Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: ceafa@g.batstate-u.edu.ph | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph
College of Engineering – Department of Civil Engineering
Laboratory 3 - Coagulation using Jar Testing

Group No. 1/BSSE-4203
Dates Performed: February 22, 2023
Date Submitted: March 1, 2023
Group Members: SR-CODE Roles
Caiga, Samuel Paul P. 19-55554 Documentation
Espeleta, Baby Angel B. 19-06596 Measuring of Alkalinity
Tanierla, Angelica Cherry Ubena D.19-08402 Preparation of stock solution
Vergara, Joemarc Nicolas L. 19-03117 Jar Testing
Villapando, Aziel Gem I. 19-00896 Measuring of Turbidity
I. OBJECTIVES
● To estimate the optimum concentration of coagulant of the suspended matter;
and
● To investigate the change in alkalinity as a result of coagulant addition.
II. THEORY
Coagulation and flocculation are important unit processes in water and
wastewater treatment plants. The purpose of coagulation/flocculation is to remove
suspended matter, turbidity, color, micro organisms, and odor producing substances.
Coagulation involves the addition of chemicals to destabilize [allow them to agglomerate
the suspended particles, colloidal materials, and macromolecules. Some common
coagulants used are aluminum sulfate (alum) and ferric sulfate. 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.
For the evaluation of coagulation/flocculation of an untreated water, jar testing is

utilized. Jar testing is a process used to determine the optimum coagulation conditions
required in a specific sample. This test provides information on the effects of the
concentrations of the coagulants, mixing of the raw water, and the water quality
parameters such as pH and alkalinity on the coagulation process. The jar test is often
used for the design of treatment facilities and in the routine operation of treatment
plants.
III. MATERIALS AND REAGENTS

Description Qty. Unit Material/Equipment/Apparatus
Water sampling and Collection 10 liters Sampled Water

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1 piece Marker
1 roll Masking Tape
1 piece Container
Preparation of Stock Solution 10 grams Aluminum Sulfate
1 L Distilled Water
1 piece Beaker, 1000 mL
Conducting the Jar Testing 1 piece pH Meter
1 piece Turbidity Meter
2 pieces DIY Fan Stirrer
1 piece Beaker, 50 mL
6 pieces Containers
Measuring the Alkalinity 50 mL Sample Water
1 piece Erlenmeyer Flask
5 drops Methyl Orange
1 piece Dropper
0.02 Normality Hydrochloric Acid
1 piece Burette
1 piece Burette Clamp
1 piece Syringe
Laboratory Kit 5 pieces Lab gown
1 bottle Wash Bottle
1 pack Rugs
1 pack Tissue
1 roll Masking Tape

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1 piece Marker
1 box Gloves
5 pieces Goggles
5 pieces Notebook
IV. PROCEDURE
1. Water Sampling and Collection
First, identify the sampling location (Analyn Drive, Alangilan, Batangas), numbers
and types of samples to be collected (10 liters of water sample), and the quality control
requirements during the process (wear face mask, gloves and eye protection during the
collecting process). Once the sampling location is determined, collect the water sample
(puddle water) from the location. Wear a face mask, gloves and eye protection during
the collecting process. Then, fill the container with 10 liters of water sample. After
collecting the puddle water, bring the samples into the laboratory. Afterwards, prepare
the sample for anticipating the stock solution.
2. Preparation of Stock Solution

Dissolve 10 grams of aluminum sulfate into 1000 mL distilled water.
3. Jar Testing
Begin with the determination of turbidity and pH of the raw water sample and also
get the alkalinity of the samples by applying the procedure below. After that, add 1 liter
of water sample into 6 improvised containers. Put the DIY stirrer on top of the jar and
stir it for about 10 minutes. After that, using a prepared stock solution of alum (1.0% by
weight), add increasing amounts of the solution to each beaker as indicated by Table 1
below.
Table 1
Increasing Dosage of Alum
Jar Number Alum Added (mL) Alum Dosage (mg/L)
Control 0 0
1 1 10
2 3 30
3 5 50
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4 7 70
5 9 90
Once the solution is added to the sample water, mix it by adjusting the controller
to the maximum speed (number 5) for 1 minute, then decrease the speed to number 2.
Allow the sample to mix for a period of 10 minutes and observe for any changes in the
suspended matter in the sample. At the end of the mixing period, turn off the stirrer. Let
the flocs settle (at least 20 minutes) and carefully remove the supernatant from each
beaker and determine the turbidity and pH of each treated water sample. Lastly,
Measure the alkalinity of the sample with alum concentration.
4. Alkalinity Measurement
Start the procedure by adding 50 mL of water sample (Vs) to an erlenmeyer flask
Then, add 2 to 3 drops of methyl orange indicator. After reading the starting volume of
standard 0.02 N HCl on the burette. Titrate water sample with standard 0.02 N HCl until
color changes from yellow-orange to red. Once you read the final volume of the acid in
the burette. Record for the used volume (Va) And lastly, compute alkalinity by applying
the formula as follows: Alkalinity (in mg/L CaCO3) = [mL acid (Va) x Normality of acid x
50,000 ] / [mL sample (Vs)]
V. OBSERVATION AND DATA

In order to determine the optimum dosage of the coagulant, pH level and turbidity
was considered. Mix the puddle water in the container using the DIY stirrer for 10
minutes, adding the dosage of the aluminum sulfate (coagulant) and mixing it for about
10 minutes and settling it for 20 minutes. The below table displayed the initial and final
pH and turbidity readings.
Control
Trials Initial pH Level Final pH Level Initial Turbidity (NTU) Final Turbidity (NTU)
1 7.70 8.02 397 730
2 8.50 8.05 396 718
3 8.07 8.04 370 732
Ave 8.09 8.04 397.67 726.67
Jar 1
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1 7.70 7.90 397 742
2 8.50 7.87 396 762
3 8.07 7.87 370 741
Ave 8.09 7.88 397.67 748.33
Jar 2
1 7.70 7.58 397 751
2 8.50 7.58 396 757
3 8.07 7.56 370 761
Ave 8.09 7.57 397.67 756.33
Jar 3
1 7.70 7.48 397 389
2 8.50 7.49 396 405
3 8.07 7.50 370 415
Ave 8.09 7.49 397.67 403.0
Jar 4
1 7.70 7.45 397 372
2 8.50 7.39 396 348
3 8.07 7.51 370 336
Ave 8.09 7.45 397.67 352.0
Jar 5
1 7.70 7.44 397 298
2 8.50 7.41 396 257
3 8.07 7.40 370 236
Ave 8.09 7.42 397.67 263.67

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The jar test results show that the average pH of the puddle water from the control
to jar 5 changes from 8.09 at the start of the procedure to 8.04, 7.88, 7.57, 7.49, 7.45,
and 7.42 at the end. In addition, the turbidity of the water was evaluated. The initial
turbidity was 397.67, while the final turbidity ranged from 726.67 in the control to 263.67
in jar 5.
Control Jar 1 Jar 2 Jar 3 Jar 4 Jar 5
Initial Alkalinity (mL) 9.5 9.5 9.5 9.5 9.5 9.5
Volume of Acid Used 7.8 6.3 5.5 4.6 4.2 3.7

(mL)
Keeping the water's pH steady, alkalinity is measured by how well water can get
rid of acids or resist changes that make it more acidic. Titration is used to measure the
alkalinity of a water sample. The experiment was done by adding methyl orange as an
indicator in the settled puddle water in the erlenmeyer flask and titrating it with HCL. The
color changed from yellow-orange to red and the results were found. As shown in the
table above, the volume of the HCL used in the puddle water goes from 9.5 mL before
the coagulation to 7.8, 6.3, 5.5, 4.6, 4.2, and 3.7 mL, respectively after the coagulation
process.
VI. ANALYSIS OF DATA/RESULTS
The result from the titration as the procedure to measure the alkalinity of the
water sample, were obtained by using the formula:
V a (Normality of Acid )(50,000)

Alkalinity ∈mg/L CaCO 3=
Vs
where:
Va = Volume of the Acid used (HCl)
Vs = volume of the water sample
Presented below are the values and graph of final alkalinity after the jar testing.
Control Jar 1 Jar 2 Jar 3 Jar 4 Jar 5
Final Alkalinity 156 126 110 92 84 74

(mg/L)
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Raw water samples taken from puddles had an initial alkalinity of 9.5 mg/L
CaCO3. Alkalinity in treated samples showed a trend toward lower values between 156
and 74 mg/L CaCO3. The computed values from control to jar 2 is not recommended to
be utilized as domestic water supplies while jar 3 to 5 shows a good value of alkalinity
as the recommended value for this is less than 100 ppm according to the Environmental
Protection Agency. However, the turbidity generated between 726.27 to 263.67 NTU
from this experiment does not meet its acceptable range of more than 10 NTU, which is
an indicated turbidity of effluent that is safe for discharge in any bodies of water based
on the General Effluent Standards implemented by the DENR Administrative Order
2016-08.
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The optimal pH for coagulation of the sample water should be somewhat basic,
and it was achieved in the experiment which ranged from 8.04 to 7.42 having 8.09 as a
raw or initial pH level of the puddle water. This prevails the negative charges on
colloidal particles at values more than seven. This facilitates coagulation/flocculation
between colloidal dispersions and the puddle water polyelectrolytes, which neutralizes
the charge. Alum is acidic in water and may lower total alkalinity and pH by neutralizing
carbonate and bicarbonate compounds. And for increasing the value of pH, the puddle
water does not appreciably modify the pH of the treated water. This may be a result of
the low doses used.
Based on the results of our experiment, we find that 90 mg/L of coagulant

dosage is the optimal dosage to achieve the desired turbidity with 263.67 NTU. This
analysis is meant to provide an estimate of the coagulant dosage needed to attain
target water quality levels. In other words, the dose of alum used to treat the puddle
water is the highest dose that achieves good settling. With this, chemical coagulants
may be selected and dosed accurately for their intended purpose of removing
suspended matter and contaminants from water treated in wastewater treatment
facilities.
VII. CONCLUSION
The obtained values through the experiment are correlated and adjusted in order
to account for the actual treatment system. As the result of the experiment, a graph of
turbidity vs. coagulant dose is drawn. The graph indicates that the most effective
dosage of coagulant is 90 mg/L which correlates in achieving the desired turbidity of
263.67 NTU. Furthermore, the coagulant and water might consume bicarbonates during
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their chemical reaction. If there is insufficient alkalinity, the pH will decrease

significantly. Since pH is an important factor for optimum coagulation performance, the
alkalinity of the sample must be controlled. Thus, the amount of alum added to the
sample usually makes the water less cloudy, but the negative effect of consistent
addition of alum will make the water more acidic and this brings us to the point that
we're not going to be able to add an alum solution into the water sample. Therefore, to
overcome these problems, buffers should be added with the same amount of alum at
the same time the alum is added.
Concept questions in each of the report include the following:

1.What is your set control? Why is it necessary to have that as control?
The experiment's set of controls is the control jar in the experimental setup.
Three trials were run and observed. It acts as baseline data from the experiment to see
and choose the optimum coagulant to be added to the water sample collected. In terms
of the raw wastewater sample problem, we shake the raw wastewater container to
equalize its parameters before the test procedure starts.
2. What are the sources of error in your experiment?

The possible source of error during the experiment is the process of conducting
the parameters to be tested (pH, turbidity and alkalinity). The raw wastewater sample's
large particulate matter is settling fast in the bottom of the container which could lead to
inconsistent reading of the parameters on each trial. Moreover, the DIY jar for the water
sample is also a parameter for the possible error. And also, the rotation of the fan gets
slower as time passes by and this greatly affects the coagulation process.
How can they be improved?

It can be improved by having six DIY fan stirrers instead of two DIY fan stirrers to
achieve consistency with the data and get the results faster than the usual setup.
How have you made adjustments to cope up with the sources of errors
encountered during the conduct of the lab?
We had a uniform experimental set up and procedure on the trials that we have
tested. And let the DIY fan stirrers to cool down or rest.
3. Where will you recommend a large scale of this experiment? Or what are the
potential applications of this activity?
Jar testing is a method of mechanically and physically determining the optimal
chemical treatment and the related chemical dosage of coagulants for specific types of
water sample. Essentially, jar testing is a scaled down version of a water treatment
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system and it mimics the full-scale operation of coagulation and flocculation processes
of major wastewater treatment systems such as Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor,
Membrane Bioreactor, Sequencing Batch Reactor, etc. It is great for getting a basis of
what will be needed to treat and purify the water on a larger scale from different aspects
such as residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural water supply and wastewater
production.
REFERENCES
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Operator Training and Certification Unit.
“Jar Testing of Chemical Dosage.” Michigan.gov, 2023,
www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/egle/Documents/Programs/WRD/
Operator-Certification/jar-testing.ppt?
rev=39854e2e0a264ba99fc812b1e98c01ad. Accessed 27 Feb. 2023.
Mann Hummel. (2021). TECHNICAL SERVICE GUIDE. https://water-fluid-
filtration.mann-hummel.com/content/dam/lse-wfs/product-related-assets/
manuals-guides/TSG-T-008-Troubleshooting-Jar-Testing-Procedure.pdf
Feria-Díaz, J. J., Rodiño-Arguello, J. P., & Guillermo Enrique, G. E. (2015). Behavior of
turbidity, pH, alkalinity and color in Sinú River raw water treated by natural
coagulants. Revista Facultad de Ingeniería Universidad de Antioquia, 78.
https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.redin.n78a16.

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Republic of the Philippines

BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

College of Engineering – Department of Civil Engineering