Treatment FAQ

what is a chemical used in drinking water treatment to remove particles

by Bradly Rau Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Chemicals (coagulants) are added to the water to bring the nonsettling particles together into larger, heavier masses of solids called floc. Aluminum sulfate (alum) is the most common coagulant used for water purification.

What chemicals are used to remove solid particles from water?

Water Softeners. Water Softeners use ion exchange technology for chemical or ion removal to reduce the amount of hardness (calcium, magnesium) in the water; they can also be designed to remove iron and manganese, heavy metals, some radioactivity, nitrates, arsenic, chromium, selenium, and sulfate.

How are chemicals used in wastewater treatment?

 · How drinking water filtration works Filtration systems are used most often in home water treatment to remove sediment or iron, manganese, or sulfur particles. Filtration can also remove some bacteria from water. In mechanical filtration systems, water passes through a medium such as cloth or sand.

What technology is used in water treatment?

 · Several kinds of chemicals can aid in the process of removing solid particles from the water. Coagulant and Flocculant Polymers are important in this process. These polymers help the tiny particles in the water to begin to combine with each other to form larger particles and chains of particles that settle out of the water and drop to the bottom.

What type of acid is used to clean water?

 · If ferric sulphate is used, iron and sulphate are added to the water. If ferric chloride is used, iron and chloride are added. And if aluminum sulphate is used, aluminum and sulphate are added. The majority of municipal water treatment plants use aluminum sulphate as the coagulation chemical.

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What is the pretreatment process for filtration?

Depending on the household’s water needs, pretreatment before filtration may include the addition of coagulants and powdered activated carbon, adjustments in pH or chlorine concentration levels, and other pretreatment processes in order to protect the filter’s membrane surface.

How does distillation work?

Distillation Systems use a process of heating water to the boiling point and then collecting the water vapor as it condenses, leaving many of the contaminants behind. Distillation Systems have a very high effectiveness in removing protozoa (for example, Cryptosporidium, Giardia);

How big is a microfiltration filter?

A microfiltration filter has a pore size of approximately 0.1 micron (pore size ranges vary by filter from 0.05 micron to 5 micron);

How does reverse osmosis work?

Reverse Osmosis Systems use a process that reverses the flow of water in a natural process of osmosis so that water passes from a more concentrated solution to a more dilute solution through a semi-permeable membrane. Pre- and post-filters are often incorporated along with the reverse osmosis membrane itself.

What is the pore size of a reverse osmosis filter?

A reverse osmosis filter has a pore size of approximately 0.0001 micron.

What is water softener?

Water Softeners. Water Softeners use ion exchange technology for chemical or ion removal to reduce the amount of hardness (calcium, magnesium) in the water; they can also be designed to remove iron and manganese, heavy metals, some radioactivity, nitrates, arsenic, chromium, selenium, and sulfate.

Is microfiltration effective in removing viruses?

Microfiltration is not effective in removing viruses (for example, Enteric, Hepatitis A, Norovirus, Rotavirus);

What are the different types of water filtration systems?

Before purchasing a system, verify that the treatment system you are purchasing has been tested and certified by a third party (for example, National Sanitation Foundation )to ensure manufacturer’s claims. Mechanical filtration systems include cartridge sediment filters, media and multimedia filters, and precoat filters . Which filtration method to select depends on the concentration and size of the suspended solids in the water and the rate at which water needs to be treated. Media filters such as sand filters have a greater contaminant removal capacity than other types of filtration devices. However, cartridge filters with fiber or ceramic filter material are made with a smaller and more uniform pore size and can be more reliable in removing small particles.

What is filtration system?

Filtration systems are used most often in home water treatment to remove sediment or iron, manganese, or sulfur particles. Filtration can also remove some bacteria from water. In mechanical filtration systems, water passes through a medium such as cloth or sand. Particles become trapped on the surface of or within the medium.

Why do you backwash a media filter?

Maintenance of media filtration systems. Media filters should be backwashed on a regular basis to prevent accumulated particles from clogging the device. Backwashing reverses the direction of water flow through the filter by forcing water into the bottom of the filter tank and out through the top.

Why are cartridge filters used?

Cartridge filters are used as pre-filters when particles in the untreated water could reduce the effectiveness or service life of another treatment device. For example, consider a situation where the untreated water is turbid (cloudy with tiny particles of sediment or other material) and contains an organic chemical.

How does water enter a filter tank?

Water enters the filter tank through the top and percolates through the medium, which traps any suspended solids. Treated water exits the device via the underdrain. Unlike some cartridge sediment filters, media filters can be cleaned and reused.

How does a pleated cartridge work?

Pleated cartridges increase the flow rate capacity by providing a greater surface area for filtration. The filter accumulates particles on the outermost surface, allowing a filter cake to build up and thus increasing the filtering action. Water flow usually slows as the filter cake develops.

What is a mechanical filtration system?

Mechanical filtration systems include cartridge sediment filters, media and multimedia filters, and precoat filters. Which filtration method to select depends on the concentration and size of the suspended solids in the water and the rate at which water needs to be treated.

What chemicals are used in wastewater?

Another use of chemicals in wastewater is for Disinfection . Commodity chemicals, like Bleach, produced in various concentrations, are often used for this purpose. One common concentration that OU offers, is our Sodium Hypochlorite 12.5%, but we offer other concentrations as well. Bleach is used for disinfection and production processes in all kinds of industrial applications including coatings, food processing, paper & packaging, pharmaceuticals, and more.

What are the functions of wastewater treatment?

These functions include: Removal of solid particles, pH Adjustment, Odor Control, Disinfection, Foam Prevention & Removal, and Sludge Removal .

What is the purpose of anti foam?

To prevent foam from occurring , an Anti-foam chemical agent can be used. One other use of chemicals in wastewater treatment is for the purpose of Sludge Removal . The water must be removed from the sludge that is created in the wastewater treatment process. Often polymer chemicals are re-introduced into this stage of treatment to remove the water.

Why are coagulant and floculant polymers important?

These polymers help the tiny particles in the water to begin to combine with each other to form larger particles and chains of particles that settle out of the water and drop to the bottom. Basically, the polymers are used to change the “charge” of the particles ...

What are the effects of wastewater?

Unpleasant odors produced by the wastewater can impact employee morale, invite complaints from neighbors including other businesses, and even be a health hazard. It is a major issue that must be solved. For most industrial plants something more must be done than just “covering up” the problem to contain the odors.

What is the most used acid in a plant?

Obviously either an acid or a base chemical will be used, depending on the pH level of the water. The most used acid is Sulfuric Acid.

What acid is used to adjust pH?

The most used acid is Sulfuric Acid. This is due to its cost, abundance, and effectiveness in adjusting the pH level. Other acids that are used include Hydrochloric Acid and Phosphoric Acid . As far as bases, some common chemicals that are effective are Sodium Hydroxide, Calcium Hydroxide (Lime), among others.

What is the most widely used water treatment technology?

Many water treatment plants use a combination of coagulation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection to provide clean, safe drinking water to the public. Worldwide, a combination of coagulation, sedimentation and filtration is the most widely applied water treatment technology, and has been used since the early 20th century.

Why are pathogens removed from water?

Usually, the pathogens that are removed from the water are removed because they are attached to the dissolved substances that are removed by coagulation. In the picture below, the coagulants have been added to the water, and the particles are starting to bind together and settle to the bottom.

Why is coagulation important in water treatment?

It is, however, an important primary step in the water treatment process, because coagulation removes many of the particles, such as dissolved organic carbon, that make water difficult to disinfect. Because coagulation removes some of the dissolved substances, less chlorine must be added to disinfect the water.

What is added to ferric chloride?

If ferric chloride is used, iron and chloride are added. And if aluminum sulphate is used, aluminum and sulphate are added. The majority of municipal water treatment plants use aluminum sulphate as the coagulation chemical. Generally, water treatment facilities have the coagulation process set up so that the coagulant chemicals are removed with ...

What is residual water?

Residuals are the by-products that remain in the water after substances are added and reactions occur within the water. The particular residuals depend on the coagulant that is used. If ferric sulphate is used, iron and sulphate are added to the water. If ferric chloride is used, iron and chloride are added.

What is slow sand filtration?

that are used. Slow sand filtration removes bacteria, protozoa and viruses, and produces. essentially clean water, though it is still advisable to use a disinfectant as a precautionary. measure.

How is fine sand removed from water?

Particles with a diameter greater than 100 microns (or 0.1 millimetre), such as fine sand, are removed through sand filtration. As the pore size decreases, a greater proportion of material is retained as the water passes through the filter.

What is boiler water treatment?

Boiler water treatment has basically two phases: First, we remove impurities from the water to the desired cleanliness. Second, we add chemicals to the feedwater to adjust the pH, create less favorable conditions for deposition, and remove oxygen. Special water treatment chemicals are used in almost all boilers.

How does aeration remove gases?

Dissolved salts and gases in the raw water can be removed by aeration. Mixing water and air oxidizes these salts and makes them filterable. Carbon dioxide is also removed during aeration. The solubility of gas in water is directly proportional to its partial pressure in the surrounding atmosphere. The partial pressure of a gas such as carbon dioxide is low in a normal atmosphere. Establishing equilibrium between water and air by aeration results in the saturation of water with oxygen and nitrogen and results in the practical elimination of gases such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. Increasing the temperature, the aeration time, and the surface area of the water helps with the removal of gases.

What is the purpose of coagulating materials?

Adding chemical coagulating materials reduces surface-water contamination in the form of coarse suspended solids, silt, turbidity, color, and colloids . The chemicals form a floc, which assists in agglomerating impurities. Settlement of the particles permits a clear effluent from the coagulating chamber.

What is the process of aerating water?

Aeration: Mixing air into water oxidizes dissolved salts and makes them filterable. Aeration also removes undesirable gases as carbon dioxide. Coagulation: Adding chemical coagulating materials reduces surface-water contamination in the form of coarse suspended solids, silt, turbidity, color, and colloids.

How does human activity affect water quality?

Human activity causes significant changes in the environment that can threaten the survival of world population in a long run. The most significant adverse effects of anthropogenic activity on natural water sources are increase of toxic organic and inorganic compounds, nutrients, COD and BOD content, radioactive pollution of natural waters causing inhibition of aquatic organisms, depletion of oxygen, drastic changes in pH, increase of turbidity, and biological contamination of water. Because the load on water bodies exceeds their self-purification capacity, it is necessary to maintain the practice of wastewater and drinking water treatment. Depending on the nature and size of pollutants, different water treatment techniques can be used for pollutant remediation. In general, all water treatment methods can be divided into mechanical, biological, chemical, and physical–chemical methods. Mechanical treatment allows removing insoluble coarse particle from the water. Biological water treatment is used for the degradation of nonrefractory organic compounds and some inorganic salts. Chemical water treatment can be successfully used for the removal of both toxic organic and inorganic compounds, and physical–chemical methods are intended to remove a wide range on contaminants from water starting from organic and inorganic compounds and ending with biological pollution.

Can electrochemical water treatment be combined with other water purification methods?

Moreover, electrochemical water treatment can be combined in one reactor with other water purification methods, such as filtration, sedimentation, flotation, and others, when it is not possible to achieve desired degree of pollutant removal from water or to save the working areas.

Is a cation exchanger a caustic?

The cation exchanger is regenerated with acid, while the anion exchange material is regenerated with caustic. Demineralization can yield a pure water, equal or superior to the best evaporated water. The anion and cation resins can be arranged in various combinations to produce the best water most economically.

What is the most commonly used chemical for coagulation?

The most commonly used chemical for coagulation is aluminum sulfate. Ferric sulfate, ferric chloride, or sodium aluminate are also popular types of coagulants.

What is the best way to remove suspended solids from water?

Coagulation is most effective at removing suspended solids and natural organic matter like gravel, sand, algae, clay, iron, protozoa, and even bacteria. Many of these contaminants can give water an unpleasant taste when present in large quantities, and can also give water a brown or orange color.

What is ferric chloride?

Ferric sulfate, aluminum sulfate, or ferric chloride, classed as aluminum or iron salts, are common coagulants for water treatment.

What is the purpose of coagulation in water treatment?

Coagulation is one of the common methods used by water treatment plants to provide safe, clean drinking water to public water customers.This method is often used alongside processes including filtration, disinfection and sedimentation to remove select contaminants from water.

What is coagulation treatment?

Coagulation treatment is usually carried out before sedimentation and filtration. During the process, a coagulant is added to water, and its positive charge neutralizes the negative charge of suspended contaminants.

What is the best substitute for ferric sulfate?

Ferric chloride is an alternative to ferric sulfate, but is the less popular choice, as chloride can increase water’s corrosivity.

Does coagulation work?

Coagulation is a necessary water treatment process, but it cannot work alone. Filtration, sedimentation and disinfection are also required to ensure that water is free from harmful contaminants and safe for drinking.

Why do we remove particles from water?

Particles must be removed from water for both aesthetic and health reasons. The pres-ence of particles may impart color, taste, and/or odor to water, making it less palatable for the customer. More importantly, particles can also be pathogenic or toxic and must be removed to protect public health. Further, particles can shield microbes from dis-infectants and reduce the efficiency of the disinfection process. For these reasons, it is essential that coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration processes are properly designed and operated to optimize the removal of particles.

How is water treated after clarification?

After clarification, water is treated by filtration to remove those particles that were not removed in the clarification process. As water treatment was being developed in the United States, experimental work in Louisville, Ky., and Cincinnati, Ohio, in the late 1890s and early 1900s showed that turbid waters could be treated successfully by chemical coagulation, sedimentation, and rapid sand filtration. About the same time, studies at Pittsburgh, Pa., showed the importance of using an adequate dosage of coagulant chemical to attain successful treatment with rapid sand filters. Coagulation, clarification, and rapid sand filtration became known as conventional water treatment, and this process train was shown to significantly reduce both turbidity and bacteria in water. Today, the performance of granular media filters reflects both source water quality and the changes to the source water induced by added chemicals (pretreat-ment chemistry). Filtration in drinking water treatment is not just a physical straining process (like that in a coffee filter) by the granular media particles. Attachment of the particles to the filter media is the primary form of target constituent removal. Thus, filtration is a physical and chemical process in which the effectiveness of the particle removal is determined by several variables, including:

What are membranes used for?

Membranes are considered an alternative filtration process and consist of polymeric layers with very small pores that physically strain particles, pathogens, and so on from the influent water. Membranes are classified according to both the pore size and the amount of pressure required to force the water through the membranes. Low-pressure membranes (microfiltration and ultrafiltration) have larger pore sizes and are used for filtration, while high-pressure membranes (nanofiltration and reverse osmosis) have much smaller pore sizes and are used to modify the chemical characteristics of water being treated. Because low-pressure membranes rely on a physical removal process, i.e., straining, the size of the pores determines what contaminants can be removed from the process. Ultrafiltration membranes can remove a portion of the smaller par-ticles that could pass microfiltration membranes. These membranes can be used as a replacement for coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration, or can be used as a polishing step behind any combination of these processes. Because microfiltration and ultrafiltration membranes do not remove dissolved constituents such as arsenic or iron in groundwater or NOM in the form of dissolved organic carbon, some form of pretreatment such as coagulation, and perhaps clarification, may be needed prior to microfiltration or ultrafiltration if removal of dissolved substances is necessary. In this situation, information contained in this manual can be helpful for optimizing the pretreatment processes.

Why do we use positively charged metal coagulants?

Therefore, positively charged metal coagulants or polymers are used to decrease the extent of the negative surface charge on the particles so that when they come in contact with each other they can stick together and form larger particles (flocs).

What happens when coagulants are added to water?

When metal coagulants are added to water, several hydrolysis species are formed. Some of these species are positively charged, depending primarily on water pH. These posi-tively charged species will attach to negatively charged particles and reduce or neu-tralize the particles’ negative charges. This charge neutralization results in a reduc-tion or elimination of the electric repulsion between particles. Cationic polyelectrolytes also can reduce the negative charges and repulsive forces. Note, however, that if the dosage of a cationic polymer is substantially greater than that needed to neutralize the negative charges on particles, then the particles can become positively charged and restabilized, a condition that hinders particle removal.

What is NOM in water?

NOM is generally classified into two components: humic substances (HSs) and nonhumic substances (nHSs). HSs are usually the major components of NOM in water with humic acids (HAs) and fulvic acids (FAs) as the major fractions. The major fractions of nHSs are proteins, polysaccharides, and carboxylic acids.

When polymers are added to water, what happens to the polymeric chains?

When high-molecular-weight polymers are added to water, part of the polymeric chains can attach to the surface of one particle with the remaining length of the chains extend-ing into the solution. If these extended chains find other particles with vacant sites not

What is the first chemical in wastewater treatment?

Aluminum Sulfate. The first chemical in wastewater treatment plant is aluminum sulfate. Aluminum sulfate in wastewater plant acts as purifier of the wastewater. The chemical itself is soluble and easily reacts to the chemicals in wastewater. As a result, it produces protein antigens that break insoluble and hazardous chemicals.

What is the function of polymer in wastewater treatment?

The function of polymer is to coagulate any solids dirts and work in diluted water in order to free these materials from suspension. In order to use polymer in wastewater treatment, people need to dilute polymer with water with a concentration around 0,5 percent.

What is polyaluminum chloride?

In some products of wastewater treatment plant, they also use polyaluminum chloride. Polyaluminum choride is a chemical belongs to chloride class. The common function of polyaluminum cloride is as coagulant in waste management as well as water purification.

What is ferric chloride?

A chemical that is also present in wastewater treatment plant is ferric chloride. Ferric chloride is a corrosive chemical used in water purification and sewage treatment. The function of ferric chloride is to remove metal substance from the waste that highly possible will harm environment as well as living being. It will dewater the metal works and make it a less dangerous substance.

What is the most important element in water purification?

Also read: Harmful Effects of Oxidizing Chemicals for Environmental Health. Sodium Aluminate. The next chemical used in wastewater treatment plant is sodium aluminate. Sodium aluminate is a chemical belongs to inorganic compound.

What is wastewater treatment plant?

Wastewater treatment plant itself is a process of removing waste and dirts. This also works as a system to offer soluble and environmentally result of industrial waste. The contaminants in the sewage are removed and in turn produced safer wastewater for the environment. In order to do so, this treatment needs some chemicals as listed in the list ...

What can lower the pH in water?

If the ph is higher, people can use hydrochloric acid as one of the compounds to lower the ph in water.

What is a wastewater treatment polymer?

Wastewater treatment polymers usually come in either a dry granular form or a liquid form. The liquified polymers are known as emulsions and contain surfactants and emulsifying agents. These are roughly 1/3 equal parts and required to keep the flocculant portion in a readily available condition.

What is the role of polymers in wastewater treatment?

Polymers in Wastewater Treatment. Polymers separate solids from liquids through coagulation and flocculation. Their ability to do so is central to their critical role in wastewater treatment. Most industrial process water or wastewater includes sediment and particles with a negative electric charge.

Why are polymers important in wastewater treatment?

As you can tell, polymers play an important role in wastewater treatment. Besides separating solids from liquids, they also help thicken sludge and dewater contaminated material for easier handling and disposal. Removing the water content from a waste sludge can change the waste properties from liquid to solid waste.

How does polymer dosing work?

By using a polymer dosing system, producers can inject the polymer solution directly into their settling ponds. The polymer dosing increases the sedimentation rate, provides clean water, and thickens the sludge at the pond’s bottom for easier management and disposal.

How long does it take for a polymer to settle?

Polymers are nothing short of incredible. In many cases, one can watch polymer solutions settle solids out of liquid suspension in real-time. The liquid/solid separation that once took days or even months when left to gravity alone can typically be achieved in minutes or seconds with properly prepared, activated, and applied polymer.

What is water soluble polymer used for?

Specific, water-soluble polymers are widely used in wastewater treatment to remove suspended solids and/or contaminants from the water. They’re used regularly in municipal, industrial, and stormwater treatment systems, but many consumers aren’t aware of their importance.

How does polymer dosing affect sedimentation?

By using a polymer dosing system, producers can inject the polymer solution directly into their settling ponds. The polymer dosing increases the sedimentation rate, provides clean water, and thickens the sludge at the pond’s bottom for easier management and disposal.

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