Faculty of Engineering and Science

Student Name: Shailesh Monchari

Student ID: 001329318
Course: MSc Civil Engineering with Industrial Practice
Water and Wastewater Engineering GEEN-1148-M02-2023-24

Laboratory Report
On
Coagulation and Flocculation

Lab Date: March 06th, 2024

Lab Group Number: 04
Module Leader: Reginald Kogbara

Disclaimer: This report is prepared and presented as the original work of the student and has not
been copied or plagiarized in any way. It is submitted as solely my work in partial fulfilment of the
requirement of the course GEEN-1148-M02-2023-24. I understand the university’s plagiarism
policy and accept responsibility for every plagiarism charge where existent in this document.
Table of contents
1. INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................. 3
2. AIM..................................................................................................................................... 3
3. APPARATUS..................................................................................................................... 3
4. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE.................................................................................... .6
5. COAGULATION (RAPID MIXING)...............................................................................9
6. FLOCCULATION (SLOW MIXING).............................................................................10
7. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS.............................................................12

Figure No. 1(Jar Testing Apparatus)...............................................................................3

Figure No. 2(Measuring Jars)......................................................................................... 4
Figure No. 3(Turbidity Meter)......................................................................................... 4
Figure No. 4(Water Sample)........................................................................................... 4
Figure No. 5(Coagulant-Iron Chloride)..........................................................................5
Figure No. 6(Weighing Machine)................................................................................... 5
Figure No. 7(Ph Paper)................................................................................................... 5
Figure No. 8(Collecting 250ML of stormwater).............................................................6
Figure No. 9(Ph of stormwater sample)..........................................................................6
Figure No. 10(Calibration sample alignment and test readings).....................................7
Figure No. 11(Sample filling and turbidity readings).....................................................7
Figure No. 12(Adding Coagulants).................................................................................8
Figure No. 13(Mixing of samples).................................................................................. 9
Figure No. 14(Mixing at 150 rpm).................................................................................10
Table No. 1(Results of turbidity calibration test).............................................................7
Table No. 2(Turbidity readings of water sample before sample).....................................8
Table No. 3(Quantity of Coagulants added).....................................................................8
Table No. 4(Slow Mixing Speed unit)............................................................................10
Table No. 5(Turbidity readings of water sample before sample)...................................10

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 INTRODUCTION
For human health, having access to safe and clean drinking water is crucial. Coagulation and
flocculation are two steps in the treatment process that water must go through to be safe to drink.
Coagulants are added during coagulation in order to disintegrate colloidal particles and cause them to
group together into bigger flocs. Larger flocs are created as a result of flocculation and can be easily
removed from the water by filtering or sedimentation, removing colloids and other pollutants as well
as suspended particles.

AIM
The goals of this study are to investigate the mechanisms of flocculation and coagulation, evaluate
how effectively they work to lower turbidity, and ascertain how flocs settle both before and after the
experiment.

APPARATUS
1. Flocculation Digital Jar Testing Machine

Six stirring units make up the apparatus; each includes a motor-driven mechanism with adjustable speed settings and a
timer.

Figure 1: Jar Testing Apparatus (Self Source)

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2. Measuring Jars
Four measuring jars with a 1-liter capacity are being utilized for this experiment.

Figure 2: Measuring Jars (Self Source)

3. Turbidity Meter
It helps to determine the water samples' turbidity both before and after the experiment.

Figure 3: Turbidity Meter (Self Source)

4. Water Sample
For this experiment, samples of tap water and stormwater that flows on the surface are
gathered.

Figure 4: Surface running Stormwater (Self Source)

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5. Coagulants
Ferric (iron) chloride and aluminum are two popular coagulants used in the jar test. In this
experiment, the coagulant utilized is iron chloride.

Figure 4: Coagulant (Iron Chloride) (Self Source)

6. Weighing Machine
This device weighs the quantity of iron that has been added to the water sample.

Figure 6: Weighing Machine (Self source)

7. pH Paper
To measure the pH of the water samples, use pH paper.

Figure 7: pH Paper (Self Source)

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EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
The experimental procedure for the coagulation and flocculation of the water sample consists of
multiple steps.
Step 1: Each measuring jar holds 250ml of surface-running stormwater water sample.

Figure 8: Collecting 250ml of stormwater

Step 2: The pH values of the provided tap water and stormwater sample from figure 9 must
then be determined.

The stormwater sample's pH was measured and found to be 6.

The pH of normal tap water is 7 (tested).

Figure 9: pH of a stormwater sample (Self Source)

Step 3: It's crucial to ascertain the water sample's turbidity before and after testing
as part of the experiment. We must use standard samples to calibrate the turbidity
meter in order to accomplish this. To guarantee precise calibration, align the
turbidity meter's arrow and collect readings using a minimum of two turbidity
standard samples.

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 Figure 10: Calibration samples alignment and test readings.

Step 4: Keep in mind that the readings that are most similar to the standard values on
the turbidity meter are admissible. The turbidity levels that were measured during the
experiment are explained in the table below. Thus, the calibration of the turbidity
meter is finished. We can rerun a few of the standard samples and compare the
outcomes to confirm the calibration.

Standards of Turbidity Turbidity Readings

800 NTU 794 NTU
100 NTU 96 NTU
20 NTU 19.5 NTU
0.02 NTU 0.43 NTU
Table 1: Results of the Turbidity Calibration Test".

Step 5: In order to determine the turbidity value of the water sample taken in four
beakers, we must fill the cleaned cuvette—a small, circular container with a cross
section—with the sample testing water until it reaches the designated point. The
experimental protocol is depicted in the image below.

Figure 11: Sample filling and turbidity readings.

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 Water Sample Turbidity readings
before settling
Beaker No. 5 2.25 NTU
Beaker No. 6 1.53 NTU
Beaker No. 7 1.72 NTU
Beaker No. 8 1.65 NTU
Tap water 0.31 NTU
Table 2: Turbidity readings of water samples before settling.

Step 6: Following the determination of the water sample's turbidity, coagulant is

applied in varying amounts to the water samples in separate beakers. In this
experiment, water sample taken in separate beakers is mixed with iron chloride,
which is added as a coagulant. The amount of coagulant added to the sample is
explained in the table below.

Figure 12: Adding coagulants.

Water sample Quantity of Coagulants

added

Beaker No. 5 0.3 grams

Beaker No. 6 0.5 grams
Beaker No. 7 0.7 grams
Beaker No. 8 0.9 grams
Table 3: Quantity of Coagulant added.

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COAGULATION (RAPID MIX)
Coagulation is a chemical process that is frequently used in wastewater and water treatment
facilities to eliminate contaminants from the water, including colloids and suspended particles.
Coagulants such ferric chloride, polyaluminum chloride, or aluminum sulfate (alum) are added to
the water during the process. The way these coagulants’ function is by counteracting the electrical
charges present in the suspended particles, causing them to become less stable and coalesce into
bigger aggregates called flocs.

Here, table 3, shows the quantity of coagulants added to the water sample.

The four beakers with the blades submerged in the water samples are positioned beneath the four
stirring devices.
The coagulation process in this experiment is quickly mixed; for one minute, the coagulation
process was mixed using a timer. A minimum speed of 25 rpm is necessary for this operation. But
the speed has been raised to 150 rpm for this test.

Figure 13: Mixing of samples

To determine the Velocity Gradient(G-1) with a speed of 150rpm at 1minute of time:

The following formula can be used to calculate the velocity gradient (G-1):

G-1 = 2* TT* N

Where G-1 = Velocity Gradient

N = Rotational Speed (RPM)
= 150/60second
= 2.5 Revolutions per second
G = 2 * 3.14 * 2.5 sec-1
-1

G-1 = 15.69 sec -1

Therefore, the velocity gradient(G ) of the coagulation process = 15.69 sec-1.
-1

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 FLOCCULATION (SLOW MIXING)
Typically, flocculation happens following coagulation. During coagulation, substances like alum
or ferric chloride are added to neutralize the charges on suspended particles and aid in their
adhesion. The flocculation stage involves mild mixing to encourage these neutralized particles to
collide and create larger flocs.
But in this instance, the coagulant is stirred into the water sample for a longer amount of time at a
slower speed.

As shown in the table below, the coagulant is added to the water sample in this experiment
at various rates.

Figure 14: Mixing at 150 rpm(self source)

TIME ROTATIONAL
SPEED(RPM)
5 min 100
5 min 50
5 min 20
Table 4: Slow mixing speed unit

Following the process of mixing the coagulant and water sample at varying speeds for a
certain period, the samples are set aside for approximately one hour to settle down.

After an hour, now note the turbidity readings of the water samples are shown in the table
below.
Water Sample Turbidity readings after
settling
Beaker No. 5 3.59 NTU
Beaker No. 6 2.36 NTU
Beaker No. 7 2.86 NTU
Beaker No. 8 2.92 NTU
Tap Water 0.30 NTU
Table 5: Turbidity readings after settling

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 Determine the power required:

We have the formula power required(P) = η * G2 * V

Here, P = Power required (in watts)

G = Velocity gradient (in sec-1) = 15.69 sec-1

V = Volume of water being treated (in cubic meters)

=250ML = 250 * 10-6 M3

η = Efficiency factor (dimensionless) = 0.00139 N-S/M2

P = 0.00139 x (15.69 sec-1)2 x 250 x 10-6

Power (P) = 0.0000855 WATTS

Therefore, the power required for mixing the sample is 0.000855 Watts.

Figure 14: Water samples after settling (Self source)

Figure 15, shows the settling down of flocs at the bottom of the beaker and the color of the water
being changed due to the dosage of coagulants added to the sample.

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 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the experiment results, following the settling process, the turbidity values of the water
samples have increased (as indicated in Table 5). As demonstrated in Table 2, the ideal turbidity
values following settling would be less than the values obtained before to settling. There are a few
factors that could lead to this.

1. Settling time: The duration of the settling period allows sufficient time for
coagulated particles to settle out of the water. Longer settling times generally result
in lower turbidity levels as more particles are removed from the water.

2. Intensity and duration of mixing: Optimal mixing is necessary to promote particle

collisions for aggregation and guarantee consistent dispersion of the coagulant.
Higher levels of turbidity and ineffective coagulation may result to inadequate
stirring.

3. Coagulant Dosage: The effectiveness of particle aggregation depends on the

amount of coagulant added to the water. Higher turbidity levels remain even after
settling due to incomplete removal of particles due to insufficient dosage.

4. Characteristics of Suspended Particles: Particles suspended in water have

varying coagulation and settling tendencies depending on their makeup and size
distribution. For instance, to achieve the appropriate turbidity levels, smaller
particles might need longer settling times or extra treatment steps.

5. Water quality parameters: The efficacy of coagulation can be affected by

temperature, pH, and the presence of other chemicals or contaminants in the water.
The ideal conditions for coagulation may vary depending on the particular features
of the water supply.

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