An investigation into an indigenous natural coagulant

Coagulants play an important role in the treatment or water and waste water, and the treatment and disposal of sludge. Aluminum sulfate, alum, is the common chemical coagulant used in the process of coagulation here in Iraq and other middle eastern countries. Recently there have been many rumours of the possible link between high levels of residual aluminum and several medical disorders, and this initiated a global interest in the search for a substitute coagulant that will be safe from the standpoint of health and economic. This study is an attempt in this direction. A natural indigenous coagulant is suggested as a substitute for alum or as an aid for alum. Okra extract derived from Okra seeds pod tips, sap, plant stalk, and roots is suggested in this study. Laboratory jar tests, are carried out on clay suspension to assess the coagulation power of Okra extract in comparison with that of alum. A widely reported Indian grown natural coagulant (Nirmali Seeds) was utilized in this study and the results obtained with this natural coagulant are compared to that of our Okra extract. The results of this study have shown that Okra extract is a powerful polyelectrlyte coagulant whether it is used as a primary or as a coagulant aid in relation to alum. It performed much better than alum at higher turbidity levels. A significant reduction in alum dosages was achieved when using Okra extract as a coagulant aid.