Application of moringa oleifera seed extract and polyaluminum chloride in water treatment.

Abstract

The use of synthetic coagulants is not regarded as suitable due to health and economic considerations. Studies were carried out in laboratory scale on deionised water containing synthetic turbidity of kaolinite. Experiments were carried out in four turbidity ranges: 10, 50, 500, 1000 (NTU) and the pH range 5-8. The efficiency of oleifera seed extract and polyaluminum chloride was examined with jar test. Extract of oleifera seed could respectively remove turbidities of 98, 97, 89 and 55 percent in optimum concentration 10-30 (mg/l) and the optimum pH of 6-8. Poly aluminum chloride could remove 99, 98, 95 and 89 percent of the above mentioned turbidity ranges in optimum concentration of 20-30 (mg/l) with the optimum pH of 8. The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of two coagulants polyaluminum chloride and moringa oleifera, which is a natural coagulant. The results of this study showed that the extract of oleifera seed had a minimal effect on pH and a higher efficiency in removing high turbidities in comparison with low turbidities. Reduction of pH decreased the efficiency of polyaluminum chloride in turbidity removal. Studies showed that the dominant mechanism turbidity removal by oleifera seed extract was adsorption and charge neutralization and intera particular bridging.