Using Electrical Methods to Increase Sedimentation Rate of Sludge in Drinking Water of Purification Stations during the Rainy Season

Abstract

This study deals with increasing the rate of clay settlement in the sedimentation basins of drinking water purification plants, especially in heavy rain periods in 2017, by using an electric current. The electric current leads to the disposal of the charges on the surface of the suspended clay particles, which leads to their flocculation and increases the sedimentation rate in a shorter time. The results showed rapid sedimentation in a time not exceeding 25 minutes, as an electric cell consisting of two copper electrodes was placed in a container containing turbid river water with a turbidity of more than (1000) NTU. Several tests were conducted on Tigris River water samples in the Department of Physics / university of Mosul to control the current, voltage, and time. Changing one of the variables shows that the best conditions for the deposition of clays are when an electric current is applied at an intensity of 0.15 amperes and a voltage of 20 volts in a time of 20 minutes, the turbidity decreased to 2 NTU. Since the water that will be treated is drinking water, the copper electrodes have been replaced by carbon electrodes, as carbon is an inert element and it is safe to use with water. It was noted that the clays were deposited at a time close to when using copper electrodes.