A review on Natural Coagulants in

Wastewater Treatment
Table of Contents
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Methodology
 Waste water and its impact
 Perspective on Using Coagulant in Wastewater treatment throughout the years Natural
coagulants - barriers for the commercialization
 Types of natural coagulants
 Characteristics of natural coagulants
 Natural coagulants - barriers for the commercialization
 Mechanism of coagulation by natural coagulants
 Future Potential and Constraint of Natural Materials as Commercial Coagulant
 Conclusion
Abstract
 The paper discusses the challenges posed by polluted natural streams and the need for effective
wastewater treatment methods, particularly in countries like Bangladesh, where water quality is
unpredictable and treatment costs are rising.
 It highlights the use of natural coagulants as an efficient and sustainable solution in the coagulation-
flocculation process for removing contaminants from wastewater.
 The study explores the benefits of natural coagulants over chemical coagulants, their sources (plants,
animals, microbes), and their potential as sustainable composite coagulants and aids in wastewater
treatment.
 It also emphasizes the need for technological advancements and further research to maximize the
effectiveness of natural coagulants under restricted settings.
 The paper suggests future works such as exploring cheaper coagulating agents, addressing financial
constraints, and developing innovative products to promote the use of natural coagulants in
wastewater treatment.
Introduction
 The introduction highlights the importance of water as a vital resource for ecological sustainability and
human well-being, emphasizing the limited availability of fresh water and the increasing pressure on
natural water bodies due to urbanization and population growth.
 It mentions the exponential increase in household waste resulting from population growth and the need for
effective water and wastewater treatment methods.
 The introduction discusses the significance of the coagulation-flocculation process in water and
wastewater treatment, explaining its role in reducing pollution and providing clean water.
 It highlights the drawbacks of using chemical coagulants, such as aluminum, in wastewater treatment and
the growing interest in natural coagulants as an alternative due to their affordability, ease of use, and
environmental friendliness.
 The introduction also mentions the exploration of new generations of coagulants with improved
performance and efficiency.
Methodology
-Type
Characteristics of -Molecular weight
water to be treated -Functional groups
-Dosage

Literature Review Characteristics of - Zeta potential - pH

Coagulant -Suspended particle -Impurities
-Concentration -Temperature

Characteristics of -Mixing Type (Slow/Rapid)

mixing process -Mixing Time
Waste water and its impact
 Any liquid waste or sewage that is produced by homes, hospitals, factories, and other buildings that
use water in their operations is referred to as wastewater.
 Wastewater can be redefined as useful sources thanks to modern evolving technologies and good
management. Reusing wastewater in agriculture benefits farmers in a variety of ways, including by
preserving fresh water resources and balancing economic effectiveness.
 The fundamental factor preventing the global synergy between water and people is still water-borne
diseases. Lack of resources and knowledge to build and maintain an effective sanitation system
results in waterborne infections that propagate parasitic and ill bacteria into water bodies.
 The increased rate of malarial cases is one example of how wastewater is continuing to have a
negative impact. WHO (2017) estimates that malaria causes 429,000 deaths globally(Ang &
Mohammad, 2020).
 Inadequate sanitation practices also contribute to the spread of bacterial diseases like cholera.
Perspective on Using Coagulant in Wastewater
treatment throughout the years

 Without the addition of coagulant agents, it is nearly impossible to eliminate the specific pollutants in
wastewater.
 However, it is sadly to be accepted that natural-based coagulants are no longer the main priority with
the invasion growth of more advanced synthetic material, except the poor countries that have
limitation in purchasing these goods(Mohd-Salleh et al., 2019).
 Nonetheless, there is arising concerns regarding chemical coagulants thus make researchers
nowadays start to develop a more environmentally friendly water and wastewater clarification agent,
likely from non-chemical based.
 Chemical coagulant agents such as polyaluminium chloride and aluminum sulphate are among the
most well-known and used in wastewater treatment.
Types of natural coagulants

Natural Coagulants

Plant based Animal Based Microorganism-based

Moringa Oleifera, Cactus, Chitosan, Xanthan gum

Nirmali,seeds,Tannin,Potato,starch, Alginate, Aspergillus sp.
Bananapeel,Commonbeans,Tamarin Chitin Enterobacter
d seeds Streptomonas
Characteristics of natural coagulants

Parameters Characteristics

Carbon footprint Environmentally friendly

Toxicity Less toxic

Heavy Metals Settling will occur along with the coagulation process

Sludge volume/amount reduction, Low,

Sludge
sludge handling cost, and treatment, cost with good biodegradability.
 Natural coagulants - barriers for the
commercialization
Environmental and Technical Constraints Economic and Social Constraints

1. Lack of money and time to invest in research and

1.Complex extraction process
development.

2.Absence of mass plantation for bulk processing 2. Lack of maintaining a steady supply of raw materials.

3. Due to the organic properties of natural coagulants, COD

3. Lack of meeting the minimum quality requirement.
levels

4. .Lack of research regarding the practical usage and issues

4. Lack of knowledge on health improvements.
occurring during the operations within the plant.

5. Lack of proper arrangements for storage of the natural 5. Well established, competitive market & High initial
coagulants in stock establishment cost.
Mechanism of coagulation by natural
coagulants
 The hypothesis that there can be contact between the polymer and the dissolved particles in a solution was
developed by the mechanism of coagulation because natural polymers have several charged functional groups
that are located in their polysaccharide chains, such as -OH, -COOH, and –NH.
 Numerous investigations utilizing different coagulants, such as cassia seed gum, sago starch, and moringa
oleifera extract, have identified the bridging process(Alazaiza et al., 2022).
 Long chain polymers that are absorbed on particles might have heads and tails that enter the solution by
different methods(Mohd-Salleh et al., 2019).
 A bridging mechanism needs a lot of area where polymer chain divisions can be attached and wrapped around
other particles.
 Galactomannan and galactan, which are capable of removing up to 80% of the turbidity in kaolin solution, were
found in polysaccharide particle extracts from Nirmali seeds. Inter-particle bridging occurs as a result of the
abundance of -OH adsorption sites next to the galactomannan and galactan chains seen in nirmali seed extracts.
Future Potential and Constraint of Natural
Materials as Commercial Coagulant

 The paper suggests exploring the use of cheaper coagulating agents in wastewater treatment to
replace the risks associated with inorganic metal salts, potentially utilizing local resources like
Moringa oleifera and rice starch.

 The study emphasizes the need for further research and technological advancements to maximize the
effectiveness of natural coagulants under restricted settings.

 Future studies could focus on developing innovative products and addressing the reservations of
potential investors to overcome the limited financial supply for implementing natural coagulants.
Conclusion
 Coagulants obtained from many natural sources have found their place in the water and wastewater
industry world and are widely being used as primary coagulants or coagulant aids.
 Natural coagulants are environmentally friendly, inexpensive, less hazardous to human beings, and
viable alternatives to chemical coagulants.
 The utilization of natural coagulants can be further commercialized by tackling its limitation factors
via progressing them as aids or composite ones.
 Despite the disadvantages of sole chemical coagulants and the limited ability of natural materials to
work at their finest, the formation of coagulants from both materials might be the next big-key
solution.
 This review highlighted that many potential advantages in using natural coagulants from various
sources of plants, animal.