Scholars Journal of Engineering and Technology (SJET) ISSN 2321-435X

Sch. J. Eng. Tech., 2013; 1(3):140-148

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Research Article
Coagulation performance of magnesium chloride in education institutional waste
water
Gobinath.R1, Aswathy V Gopal2, Arun O S2, Arun prakash C2, S.Vijayakumar2
1
Associate Professor, Department of Civil engineering, Jay Shriram Group of Institutions, Avinashipalayam, Tirupur,
Tamilnadu, India
2
Under graduate students, Department of Civil engineering, Jay Shriram Group of Institutions, Avinashipalayam,
Tirupur, Tamilnadu, India

*Corresponding author
Aswathy V Gopal
Email:

Abstract: Educational institutions are growing rapidly in our country owing to the increase in demand for higher
education. In Tamilnadu itself nearly 2500 higher educational institutions are available which are serving 30 districts.
Huge amount of population is using these institutions for their day to day activities, considerable amount of waste water
is being generated by each institution. A study conveys that nearly 1 million liters of water is consumed as an average by
an University, roughly 80% of its turning to be waste water. Not many institutions are adopting proper treatment
methodologies for purifying this waste generated and also not many studies had focussed this area. Mostly the waste
water arising out of educational institutions are matching the domestic waste condition, in this research an attempt is
made at finding the efficiencies of magnesium sulphate, as chemical coagulant to treat the waste water of educational
institution. Similarly, the efficiency of mixture of magnesium chloride with poly electrolyte was tested. The result
obtained by adding magnesium chloride proved that it can be use for the treatment of turbidity and transmittance in
educational institution waste water. The results obtained when magnesium chloride combined with poly electrolyte were
much better. It is found that nearly 97% removal of turbidity is achieved during this study and also 95% transmittance
level is achieved, also complete odour removal is obtained by the coagulation process. Hence magnesium chloride can be
effectively used as a coagulant aid with any chemical coagulant like polyelectrolyte and alum for treatment of waste
water from educational institutions.
Keywords: Adsorption, Coagulation, Magnesium chloride, poly electrolyte, educational institution waste water,
turbidity, transmittance

INTRODUCTION for the treatment of turbidity and transmittance in

Educational institutions are growing rapidly in educational institution waste water.
our country owing to the increase in demand for higher
education. In Tamilnadu itself nearly 2500 higher Turbidity and colour removal is one of the
educational institutions are available which are serving most important steps in water treatment process, which
30 districts. Huge amount of population is using these is generally achieved using coagulants. Many
institutions for their day to day activities, considerable coagulants are widely used in conventional water
amount of waste water is being generated by each treatment processes, based on their chemical
institution. A study conveys that nearly 1 million litres characteristics. These coagulants are classified into
of water is consumed as an average by a University, inorganic, synthetic organic polymers, and natural
roughly 80% of its turning to be waste water. Not many coagulants. One example of these coagulants is
institutions are adopting proper treatment magnesium chloride with excellent activity and
methodologies for purifying this waste generated and coagulating properties[5-8].
also not many studies had focussed this area. Mostly the
waste water arising out of educational institutions are METHODOLOGY
matching the domestic waste condition, in this research Study area
an attempt is made at finding the efficiencies of In this study the waste water is collected from
magnesium chloride as chemical to treat the waste an educational institution situated in Tirupur district
water of educational institution. Similarly, the which is an engineering college accommodating 2100
efficiency of mixture of each of magnesium chloride students out of which 30 % students are staying in
with poly electrolyte was tested. The result obtained by hostels and remaining are day scholars. The college
adding Magnesium chloride proved that it can be use consumes around 0.6 million litres of water a day for its
day to day usage, in that around 40% is used in

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lavatories, cleaning, and 20% for hostel cooking, 10% planned to reuse the waste water for gardening purpose
for laboratories, 25% for drinking purpose and other which is under construction. This study aims to
15% goes as wastage. introduce newer technologies in that treatment plant to
make the treatment process efficient. Most of the small
In these water input around 75-80% is level domestic water treatment plants involve the units
converted into wastage which is send to drainage like screening, grit removal, coagulation with
system of public sewer without treatment, the initial sedimentation, filtration or aeration with biological
characteristics of the waste water is given in table 1 treatment process. In this propose treatment plant also
which shows that the values obtained above the coagulation with sedimentation is planned, this study
discharge norms of pollution control board standards. aims to make the coagulation process cheaper and
Also its evident that this water should be treated before effective in long run by introducing natural coagulation
letting it into sewers, a small level of treatment plant is techniques.

Table 1: Initial waste water characteristics

Sl.no Parameter Value PCD norms

1 pH 6-6.5 5.5-9.0
2 TDS 1890 ppm 600 ppm
3 Conductivity 2.5 ms/cm -
4 Turbidity 240-245 NTU Clear water
5 Transmittance 28% in colorimetry -
6 Odour Objectionable level Unobjectionable
7 Colour Greyish to dark greyish Unobjectionable

Sampling coagulant and coagulant aid dosages and the effect of

Sampling of waste water is done at the main different coagulants have been studied. The results
outlet and the waste water storage sump using grab show that MgCl2 is capable of removing more than
sampling method, the sampling bottles are of 10 litre 90% of the colouring material at a pH of 11 and a dose
capacity which are cleaned three times with tap water, of 4 g MgCl2/l of dye solution. MgCl2 is shown to be
then with distilled water and rinsed fully with 5N HNO3 more effective in removing reactive dye than alum and
for removal of any sign of pathogens or odour. Samples PAC in terms of settling time and amount of alkalinity
are collected are used immediately for the study, required. Optimal operating conditions such as pH
storage of the waste water in done at 150C to avoid any value, coagulant dose and effect of polyelectrolyte have
bio-degradation of waste. Before conducting any study been determined. Wastewaters of a dyeing and printing
initial characteristics of the waste water is noted. The mill on different days have been treated by MgCl2
raw water is characterized in terms of some physical aqueous solution in bench scale.
and chemical parameters before treatment. The
evaluated parameters were color turbidity, pH, Akshaya Kumar Verma et al[2] says that
transmittance etc. The water samples were maintained Magnesium chloride, though cost wise roughly same as
in a pH of 4 otherwise it will significantly affect the of ferrous sulphate, is less commonly used coagulant in
reactions. The coagulant magnesium chloride is added comparison to the ferrous sulphate for the treatment of
to the waste sample directly. The coagulation wastewater. They also concluded that, decolorization
sedimentation process was conducted by using jar test and COD reduction efficiency of coagulants
apparatus. The efficiency of the process is evaluated by significantly depends upon the pH of wastewater.
measuring the turbidity and transmittance by using Magnesium based salt appeared to be the efficient
Turbidity meter and calorimeter. coagulant over iron based salt.
Bao Yu Gao et al[3] says that, the color
Effect of magnesium chloride and poly electrolyte removal by MgCl2 when treating synthetic waste
coagulant in waste water containing pure dyes was studied. The color removal
Boon Hai Tan et al[1] says that magnesium efficiency of MgCl2/Ca (OH)2 was compared with that
chloride, as compared to alum and poly aluminium of Al2(SO4)3, poly aluminum chloride (PAC) and
chloride (PAC) is a less commonly used coagulant in FeSO4/Ca(OH)2. The mechanism of MgCl2 was also
the field of wastewater treatment, with a cost in investigated. The experimental results show that the
between alum and PAC. It has been used in this study color removal efficiency of MgCl2 is related to the type
as a coagulant to investigate the effectiveness in the of dye and depends on the pH of the waste and the
chemical precipitation method for the removal of dosage of the coagulants used. Treatment of waste
colouring matters. The colour concentration of dye containing reactive dye or dispersed dye with MgCl2
solutions was measured by visible spectrophotometry. yielded an optimum color removal ratio when the pH of
Parameters such as the effect of pH, the effect of the solution was equal to or above 12.0. For both the
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reactive and dispersed dye waste, MgCl2/Ca (OH)2 was stirrer, the solution is preserved for dosing. The dosage
shown to be superior to MgCl2/NaOH, Al2(SO4)3, PAC of magnesium chloride kept constant, 1g per each
and FeSO4/Ca(OH)2 for color removal. A magnesium sample. This solution is prepared in a 500 ml beaker
hydroxide precipitate formed at pH values greater than and the jar test is conducted as per the procedure with
12.0, which provided a large adsorptive surface area rapid mixing for 10 minutes and slow mixing for 15
and a positive electrostatic surface charge, enabling it to minutes. The mixed solution is allowed to settle for 60
remove the dyes through charge neutralization and an minutes and the final readings were taken.
adsorptive coagulating mechanism. So, the MgCl2/Ca
(OH)2 system is a viable alternative to some of the more RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
conventional forms of chemical treatment, especially The table shows that by increasing the value of
for treating actual textile waste with high natural pH.[4] pH, all the parameters of water is achieving a
satisfactory range. From the results it is clear that the
Solution preparation transmittance value is reaching its maximum level only
In this study an effort is made to identify the at higher pH. So here by we can conclude that,
effect of magnesium chloride coagulant in educational magnesium chloride and poly electrolyte will react only
institution waste water treatment. The magnesium in higher pH. In the Table 1, the values entered are
chloride coagulant which we used is of laboratory obtained by adding 1ml of poly electrolyte per sample
grade. Since Magnesium chloride cannot act properly and by adding 1g of magnesium chloride. The
alone in the waste water, an additional catalyst like poly magnesium chloride and poly electrolyte reacts properly
electrolyte (industrial grade-50% pure) is added in in the higher pH level. So to achieve these fluctuations
various dosages as a coagulant aid. Poly electrolyte in the readings first we varied the pH value of sample
solution is prepared by adding 50 grams per 1000 ml of from 4pH to 12pH.
de ionized water and stirred for 20 min using magnetic

Table 1: Various parameters of waste water after coagulation by adding 1ml of poly electrolyte
Sl.No: pH transmittance conductivity turbidity absorbance TDS
initial final
1 4 4.6 21% 36.5 244 0.67 13220
2 5 5 21% 11.3 234 0.64 4540
3 6 6 34% 6 143 0.45 2330
4 7 6.7 41% 7 118 0.38 2220
5 8 7.2 61% 4.5 38 0.21 1920
6 9 7.2 61% 7 32 0.21 2650
7 10 8 70% 7 30 0.16 2150
8 11 9.1 90% 7.3 4 0.04 3100
9 12 9.6 84% 7.5 10 0.07 3030

Transmittance
100%
Transmittance value

80%

60%

40%
transmittance
20%

0%
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Value of pH

Figure 1: Fluctuations in transmittance while varying pH

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Conductivity
40
Conductivity value

30

20

10 Conductivity

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Value of pH

Figure 2: Fluctuations in conductivity while varying pH

Turbidity
300
250
Turbidity value

200
150
100
Turbidity
50
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Value of pH

Figure 3: Fluctuations in Turbidity while varying pH

Transmittance
0.8
0.7
Transmittance value

0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
Transmittance
0.2
0.1
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Value of pH

Figure 4: Fluctuations in Absorbance while varying pH

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TDS
14000
12000
10000
TDS value

8000
6000
4000 TDS
2000
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Value of pH

Figure 5: Fluctuations in Turbidity while varying pH

The table 2 shows the reading while adding 1g tested. Transmittance value attained 100% and the
of magnesium chloride along with 2ml of poly absorbance became 0.00 as that of pure water at pH of
electrolyte solution. In this combination, the maximum 11.
values obtained for all the parameters which we had

Table 2: Various parameters of waste water after coagulation by adding 2ml of poly electrolyte
Sl.No: pH transmittance conductivity turbidity absorbance TDS
initial final
1 4 4.6 36% 30.8 149 .44 19200
2 5 5.2 46% 9.6 122 .34 3820
3 6 6.2 52% 9.1 120 .26 2760
4 7 7 57% 6.7 63 .23 2910
5 8 7.7 58% 6.7 56 .20 2800
6 9 8 72% 7.6 32 .13 1330
7 10 9 80% 7.6 10 .09 1300
8 11 9 100% 7.6 3 0.00 3170
9 12 10 72% 7.3 3 .19 2900

Transmittance
120%
100%
Transmittance value

80%
60%
40% Transmittance
20%
0%
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Value of pH

Figure 6: Fluctuations in Transmittance while varying pH

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Conductivity
40
Conductivity value

30
20
10 Conductivity
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Value of pH

Figure 7: Fluctuations in Turbidity while varying pH

Turbidity
160
140
Turbidity value

120
100
80
60
40 Turbidity
20
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Value of pH

Figure 8: Fluctuations in Turbidity while varying pH

Absorbance
0.5
Absorbance value

0.4

0.3

0.2
Absorbance
0.1

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Value of pH

Figure 9: Fluctuations in Absorbance while varying pH

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TDS
25000

20000
TDS value

15000

10000
TDS
5000

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Value off pH

Figure 10: Fluctuations in TDS while varying pH

Table 3: Various parameters of waste water after coagulation by adding 3ml of poly electrolyte
Sl.No: pH transmittance conductivity turbidity absorbance TDS
initial final
1 4 5 36% 48 294 .76 18160
2 5 5.5 40% 8.5 257 .68 3650
3 6 6.2 41% 6 193 .41 2500
4 7 7 56% 6.5 102 .21 2820
5 8 7.8 60% 7 123 .21 3030
6 9 9 78% 7.4 27 .15 3650
7 10 9 83% 7.2 16 .09 3600
8 11 10 87% 7.1 16 .07 3040
9 12 10.5 96% 7 14 .02 3320

Transmittance
120%
Transmittance value

100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Transmittance
0%
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Value of pH

Figure 11: Fluctuations in Transmittance while varying pH

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Conductivity
60

40
Conductivity value

20
Conductivity
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Value of pH

Figure 12: Fluctuations in Conductivitiy while varying pH

Turbidity
350
300
Turbidity value

250
200
150
100 Turbidity
50
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Value of pH

Figure 13: Fluctuations in Turbidity while varying pH

Absorbance
0.8
Absorbance value

0.6
0.4
0.2
0 Absorbance
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Value of pH

Figure 14: Fluctuations in absorbance while varying pH

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TDS
20000

15000
TDS value

10000

5000 TDS

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Value of pH

Figure 15: Fluctuations in TDS while varying pH

CONCLUSION 1. Tan B H, Teng T T, Omar A K M, Removal of

Combination of poly electrolyte solution and dyes and industrial dye wastes by magnesium
magnesium chloride, is satisfactory new agents for chloride, Water research 2000; 34(2):597- 601
water treatment. In this work we obtained that while 2. Akshaya Kumar Verma, Puspendu Bhunia,
adding the Magnesium chloride along with poly Rajesh Roshan Dash, Supermacy of magnesium
electrolyte, the result is becoming more acceptable. chloride for decolourisation of textile water
That is, by increasing the dosage of Magnesium acomparitive study on the use of different
chloride, the value of turbidity is decreasing (3 NTU) coagulants, international journal of
and became approximately equal to that of water. The environmental science and development, 2012
transmittance value is increasing and came to a range of ;(3):118-123
100%. This indicates that the effect of Magnesium 3. Maryam Hasani Zonoozi, Mohammad Reza
chloride is satisfactorily working in the education Alavi Moghaddam, Mokhtar Arami, Removal of
institutional waste water treatment. In this study it is acid red dye from aqueous solutions by
proved that the odour is completely removed by this coagulation flocculation process, Environmental
simple coagulation process and it become engineering and management journal,
unobjectionable. While adding the poly electrolyte in a 2008;(7):695-699
range of 2ml, at pH 11 the transmittance value becomes 4. G.R. Nabi Bidhendi, A. Torabian, H.Ehsani,
100%, and in the same condition the absorbance value N.Razmkhah, Evaluation of industrial waste
became 0.00.So here by it is clear that the effectiveness water treatment with coagulants and poly
of poly electrolyte is achieving at a pH of 11 and by electrolyte as a coagulant aid, Iran journal of
adding 1g of magnesium chloride. environmental health science environment,
2007;(4):29-36
Acknowledgement 5. S.F Kang, M.C. Chen.Coagulation of textile
Authors sincerely acknowledge the Shri. secondary effluents with fentons reagent, Water
Thangaraj, Chairman of Jay Shriram Group of science and technology, 1997;(36):215- 222
Insititutions Shri. Govindasamy, Treasure of Jay 6. Leentvaar J, Rebhum M. Effect of magnesium
Shriram Group of Institutions, Shri T.Karupannasamy, and calcium presipitation on coagulation-
Vice Chairman of Jay Shriram Group of Institutions for flocculation with lime, Water research,
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acknowledge the support rendered by coagulation flocculation in waste water
Prof.Dr.C.Rameshkumar, Principal of Jay Shriram treatment, Advanced environmental research,
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