Natural Products for Surface Water Coagulation: an Alternative Sustainable Solution for Rural Areas

Abstract

This research aims at process optimization using response surface methodology (RSM) for coagulation of surface water by coagulants extracted from natural product. Apricot seeds extract (ASE), peach seeds extract (PSE) and mango seeds extract (MSE) were evaluated. The optimum operating conditions for ASE and PSE at initial turbidity of 27.5 NTU were pH 7 and coagulant dose of 45 mg/l. However, the optimum operating conditions for MSE at initial turbidity of 27.5 NTU were pH 5.5 and MSE dose of 45 mg/l. Under the optimum conditions, residual turbidity without filtration was 9.13, 10.3, 5.81 NTU for ASE, PSE and MSE, respectively. MSE could be used as secondary coagulant with the alum. At low turbidity surface water treatment, ratios of 20/80, 40/60 and 60/40 MSE/alum achieved residual turbidity of less than 1 NTU which comply with the Egyptian Standards. However, at medium turbidity surface water, ratio of 20/80 MSE/alum achieved residual turbidity of less than 1 NTU.