A Comparison of the Ability of Bio-Coagulants to Treat Turbid Water

Abstract

This study was carried out to compare bio-coagulants’ ability to treat wastewater. Moringa oleifera seed and watermelon seed extracts were tested and proffered in this research. Synthetic turbid water was prepared using a clay suspension and a high correlation coefficient of 0.9967 was obtained between clay suspension dosage and turbidity lending credence to its use for the simulation. Jar tests were  carried out to determine the optimum dosage of the bio-coagulants and alum as the control. In the settling column tests, it was observed  that the removal efficiencies increased with time and decreased with the depth of the column. Alum had the highest average  removal efficiency (97%), followed by Moringa oleifera seed extract with 84.5% removal. While watermelon seed extract had the least  removal of 70.75%. Finally, the detention time and overflow rates were found to be within acceptable limits showing that these natural  coagulants are potential alternatives to alum, which is presently the most common, coagulant in water treatment.