Eco-Friendly Coagulant versus Industrially Used Coagulants: Identification of Their Coagulation Performance, Mechanism and Optimization in Water Treatment Process

Abstract

The evaluation of complex organic and inorganic coagulant’s performances and their relationships could compromise the surface water treatment process time and its efficiency. In this work, process optimization was investigated by comparing an eco-friendly chitosan with the industrially used coagulants namely aluminum sulfate (alum), polyaluminum chloride (PAC), and aluminum chlorohydrate (ACH) in compliance with national drinking water standards. To treat various water samples from different treatment plants with turbidity and pH ranges from 20–826.3 NTU and 5.21–6.80, respectively, 5–20 mg/L coagulant dosages were varied in the presence of aluminum, ferum, and manganese. Among all, 10 mg/L of the respective ACH and chitosan demonstrated 97% and 99% turbidity removal in addition to the removal of the metals that complies with the referred standard. However, chitosan owes fewer sensitive responses (turbidity and residual metal) with the change in its input factors (dosage and pH), especially in acidic conditions. This finding suggested its beneficial role to be used under the non-critical dosage monitoring. Meanwhile, ACH was found to perform better than chitosan only at pH > 7.4 with half dosage required. In summary, chitosan and ACH could perform equally at a different set of optimum conditions. This optimization study offers precise selections of coagulants for a practical water treatment operation.

Natural Organic Matter Removal in Surface Water Treatment via Coagulation—Current Issues, Potential Solutions, and New Findings

“…It is also reported to provide NOM removal efficiencies comparable to those of metal-based coagulants. For instance, Khairul Zaman et al [49] carried out a study on the comparison of performances between different types of industrially used aluminum-based coagulants (aluminum sulfate, polyaluminum chloride, and aluminum chlorohydrate) and biocoagulant chitosan for the treatment of surface waters with different turbidities. It was concluded that chitosan is capable of performing comparably to aluminum chlorohydrate, although under different conditions, namely in an acidic environment [49].…”

Aluminium and Fluorine in Drinking Water as Risk Factors for Human Health

“…In the research initiated as a result of increasing studies on the effects of Al intake through potable water in the Langat River Basin in Malaysia; To determine Al 3+ concentrations by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), water samples from the basin water were examined between 2015 and 2016. It has been stated that the doses of Al2(SO4)3 used in water disinfection are very important to protect health (Ahmed et al, 2019;Khairul Zaman et al, 2021).…”

Application of Response Surface Methodology to Optimize Coagulation Treatment Process of Urban Drinking Water Using Polyaluminium Chloride

“…Coagulants, which are hydrolyzing metal salts (Fe or Al), are often used in the coagulation process to destabilize colloids. To date, coagulants have been the subject of much study and development with the goal of creating a safer environment, having high stability, and more adaptable formulations that can withstand a wide range of processing conditions without compromising coagulation efficiency [20]. During water treatment processes, conventional coagulants such as iron and aluminium sulfate are typically used to stimulate particle formation.…”