WATER PURIFICATION CAPACITY OF THE
GULUF PLANT

ABSTRACT

Virtually all surface water sources contain perceptible turbidity. Agglomeration of particles into groups, increasing the effective size and therefore the settling velocities, is possible in some instances. Chemical coagulation consists of treating the water with certain chemicals, to bring the non-settleable particles together into larger, heavier masses of solid material, which are then comparatively easy to remove. Several different chemicals may be used in coagulation, depending upon the characteristics of the water being treated. In some waters, a combination of two or more chemicals produce better results than any chemical dose alone. In water treatment plants, chemical coagulation is usually accomplished by the addition of trivalent metallic salts such as Aluminum Sulfate (Al2 (SO4)) Ferric Chloride3 (FeC13). Although the exact method by which coagulation is accomplished cannot be determined, four mechanisms are thought to occur. These include ionic layer compression and adsorption particle bridging.

In many localities, people are traditionally using different noble plant products for purification of turbid water, such as MORINGA/ALEKO/ and MAERUA-SIBCORDATA/GULUF/. Coagulation is not yet an exact science although recent advances have been made in understanding the mechanisms of the process. Therefore selection and optimum dosages of coagulants are determined experimentally by the jar test instead of quantitatively by formula. The jar test must be performed on each water that is to be coagulated and must be repeated with each significant change in the quality of given water. The selection of a method for the purification of water depends on the specific requirements for the water.

(Report 1997)

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