Natural Polymers as Alternatives to Conventional Coagulation Agents – Lab-Scale Research with Moringa Oleifera Seeds and Chitosan

Abstract

This article presents the results of a laboratory-scale research focused on the use of alternative coagulants in water treatment. Attention was particularly paid to natural cation coagulants derived from Moringa oleifera seeds and chitin. These two coagulant agents were used in laboratory research for treating real raw water. Several series of laboratory jar tests were performed to identify the effectiveness of the selected coagulants in removing turbidity from water. The results of the experiments show that the efficiency of the process using natural polymers is not as high as that of conventional chemical reagents. A turbidity reduction efficiency of 80-82% was achieved, which is not as impressive as aluminum sulphate. However, it is a certain alternative in cases of secondary product formation (residual Fe and Al) and associated problems. Here it is possible to use a combination of natural and conventional reagents.