Kinetics and Particle Removal Profile of Pulverized Snail Shell – Alum Induced Coag-Flocculation of Quarry Effluent
C. Nnaji Patrick *
Department of Chemical Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Nigeria
I. Okolo Bernard
Department of Chemical Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Nigeria
Menkiti Matthew Chukwudi
Department of Chemical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria
Ume Cyril Sunday
Department of Chemistry, Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo (FUNAI), Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Chizoba Chinelo Agu
Center for Environmental Management and Control (CEMAC), University of Nigeria, Enugu, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study investigated the coag-flocculation performance of alum, pulverized snail shell coagulant (PSSC), and their blends under varying pH and coagulant dosage in removing turbidity from quarry effluent (QE) at room temperature. A laboratory bench-scale jar test was employed for the experiments. Coag-flocculation parameters such as coagulation rate constant, K11, coagulation half-time,τ_(1/2) etc were determined. The optimum pH was observed at 6.0, while the blend of 200.0 mg/L alum and 800.0mg/L PSSC achieved the optimum turbidity removal. Turbidity removal efficiency was recorded between 87.9% and 98.5% for various dosages and pH studied. The coagulation rate half-time, τ_(1/2) range from 13.8s to 972.45s for various dosages and pH studied. The use of PSSC blended with alum showed high level of potential, for the treatment of quarry effluent.
Keywords: Snail shell, quarry effluent, coagulation/flocculation, jar test