The benefits of using natural coagulants to obtain potable water

The benefits of using natural coagulants to obtain potable water. This work aims to evaluate the benefits of obtaining potable water from natural coagulants, in function of the removal of the parameters color, turbidity and compounds with absorbing in UV-254 nm, using Tanfloc SS as a coagulant. To that end, coagulation/flocculation/sedimentation tests were performed in jar test with surface water featuring high color/turbidity. The coagulation pH (3.0 to 9.0) and the concentration of coagulant (10.0 to 60.0 mg L(-1)) were varied with the purpose of constructing coagulation diagrams and determine regions of best efficiency for removal of color and turbidity. The working conditions for the process of coagulation/flocculation/sedimentation were set according to preliminary tests. With the data obtained, the coagulation diagram was built using the 3DField 2.7.0.0 software. Based on these diagrams, for the coagulant Tanfloc SS, it is concluded that the best removals of the parameters studied, in their majority, occurred in the range of pH between 6.0 and 9.0 in all the concentrations studied. Thus, it was noted that the use of biodegradable organic coagulant is therefore a technical alternative to conventional coagulants, with public health benefits in addition to environmental preservation.