EXPERIMENT 2: JAR FLOC TEST

1.0 OBJECTIVE

i.
ii.

To determine the optimum alum dose for suspended solids removal from
water using jar test.
To determine the optimum pH suspended solid removal from water using the
jar test.

2.0 INTRODUCTION
The jar test is a method of measuring the effect of coagulation, flocculation, and
sedimentation on turbidity. Although the procedure is not outlined in Standard
Methods, it is used in most water treatment plants to find the best coagulant dosages
under varying conditions.
Coagulation/flocculation is the process of binding small particles in the water
together into larger, heavier clumps which settle out relatively quickly. The larger
particles are known as floc. Properly formed floc will settle out of water quickly in the
sedimentation basin, removing the majority of the water's turbidity.
In many plants, changing water characteristics require the operator to adjust
coagulant dosages at intervals to achieve optimal coagulation. Different dosages of
coagulants are tested using a jar test, which mimics the conditions found in the
treatment plant. The first step of the jar test involves adding coagulant to the source
water and mixing the water rapidly (as it would be mixed in the flash mix chamber) to
completely dissolve the coagulant in the water. Then the water is mixed more slowly
for a longer time period, mimicking the flocculation basin conditions and allowing the
forming floc particles to cluster together. Finally, the mixer is stopped and the floc is
allowed to settle out, as it would in the sedimentation basin.

The type of source water will have a large impact on how often jar tests are
performed. Plants which treat groundwater may have very little turbidity to remove
are unlikely to be affected by weather-related changes in water conditions. As a
result, groundwater plants may perform jar tests seldom, if at all, although they can
have problems with removing the more difficult small suspended particles typically
found in groundwater. Surface water plants, in contrast, tend to treat water with a
high turbidity which is susceptible to sudden changes in water quality. Operators at
these plants will perform jar tests frequently, especially after rains, to adjust the
coagulant dosage and deal with the changing source water turbidity.

3.0 MATERIAL AND APPARATUS

Reagent

Figure 3.1: Jar test equipment

Figure 3.2: Beakers

6 places with stirring mechanism

Figure 3.3 : PH Meter

Figure 3.4: Pipette

Figure 3.5: Graduated Cylinder

Equipment / solution

Figure 3.6: Aluminium Sulphate

Figure 3.7: Ferric

Figure 3.8: Calcium carbonate

Figure 3.9: waste water sample

Figure 3.10: H2SO4 Or NaOH

4.0 PROCEDURE

Prior to the jar test procedure each 500ml sample must be corrected to the pH using
H2 H2SO4 or NaOH. In order to obtain the correct amount of acid or alkali for each
sample a separate titration must be carried out for each alum dose-pH combination.
Use 100ml water sample for your titration.
Test for optimum dose (pH constant)
1. Fill six 1 L beakers with 800ml the water sample.

Figure 1 : Beaker With 800ml

2. Prepare alum solution with the concentration 5.0g/L
3. Add to the beakers the amount of H 2SO4 or NaOH that you yield final pH
value of 6.5
4. Add to the beakers alum solution corresponding to doses of 0(control) 1.5,
2.5,5,10 and 15ml.
5. Mix the sample at high speed (80rpm) for 1 minute.

Figure 2 : Mixing The Sample

6. Reducing mixing speed to 30rpm and continue mixing for 15 minute.

7. Stop the stirrer and let the flocs settle for 20 minute.

Figure 3: Taking Sample Of Waste Water.

8. Determine supernatant turbidity using turbidity meter.
9. Plot turbidity vs alum dose.

5.0 RESULT

Optimum dose (pH constant)

Sample volume : 800 g/l (0.8 )
Alum concentration : 2.0 g/l
6

Beaker

Alum dose ,mL

1
2
3
4
5
6

0.0
1.5
2.5
5.0
10.0
15.0

Actual alum dose,

mg/L
0
3.0
5.0
10.0
20.0
30.0

CALCULATION
Example beaker 2
Alum concentration : 2.0 g/l
Sample volume : 800 ml / 1000 = 0.8

Actual Alum Dose = Alum Dose (ml) Alum concentration

1.5 2.0 = 3.0

6.0 PLOT TURBIDITY VS ALUM DOSE

Turbidity (NTU)
54.4
52.1
43.4
22.8
11.2
4.64

7.0 CONCLUSION
From this experiment we have learned to do the jar floc test successfully, and we
also knew how to handle the experiment materials and tools properly by using safety
precaution. We have determines the optimum alum dose for suspended solids
removal from water using jar test correctly and can determine the optimum pH
suspended solid removal from water using the jar test correctly. Hence the objective
of the experiment has been archived by our group

8.0 DISCUSSION
8

From the experiment, we have obtained a result and the result has been interpreted
in graph. The graph shows that when the alum dose mixture 2.0 mL the turbidity
level is at the lowest and when the alum dose mixture at highest 15mL the turbidity
level is high. That means the 2.0 mL alum dose is the optimum volume for 800ml
(0.8 ) of water to remove suspended solids.