Determination of Optimum Coagulants (Ferric Chloride and Alum) for Arsenic and Turbidity Removal by Coagulation

Abstract

The Raw water from Deer Creek (DC) reservoir and Little Cottonwood Creek (LCC) reservoir in the Utah, USA were collected for jar test experiments. This study examined the removal of arsenic and turbidity by means of coagulation and flocculation processes using of aluminum sulfate and ferric chloride as coagulants for 13 jar tests. The jar tests were performed to determine the optimal pH range, alum concentration, ferric chloride concentration and polymer concentration for arsenic and turbidity removal. The results showed that a comparison was made between alum and ferric chloride as coagulant. Removal efficiency of arsenic and turbidity for alum (16 mg/L) of up to 79.6% and 90.3% at pH 6.5 respectively were observed. Removal efficiency of arsenic and turbidity for ferric chloride (8 mg/L) of up to 59.5% at pH 8 and 90.6% at pH 8 respectively were observed. Optimum arsenic and turbidity removal for alum dosages were achieved with a 25 mg/L and 16 mg/L respectively. Optimum arsenic and turbidity removal for ferric chloride dosages were achieved with a 20 mg/Land 8 mg/L respectively. In terms of minimizing the arsenic and turbidity levels, the optimum pH ranges were 6.5 and 8for alum and ferric chloride respectively. When a dosage of 2 mg/L of potassium permanganate and 8 mg/L of ferric chloride were employed, potassium permanganate can improve arsenic removal, but not turbidity removal.