CHARACTERIZATION OF WATER PARAMETERS, JAR TEST AND

ALKALINITY
CARACTERIZACIÓN DE PARAMETROS DEL AGUA, TEST DE
JARRAS Y ALCALINIDAD

María Camila Bayona Páez

1 Ingeniería Ambiental, Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia “UNAD”

Arauca, Colombia

mcbayonapa@unadvirtual.edu.co

Summary

Through the development of this activity, it was sought to reinforce the knowledge acquired
throughout the semester, analyzing the physicochemical parameters of the water, and the
percentages of removal such as alkalinity, turbidity, pH, color. This was achieved through
the execution of different tests such as jar tests, coagulation-flocculation, in addition to the
use of aluminum sulfate, ferric chloride and liquid aluminum polychloride.

As the tests were carried out, measurements were taken of the parameters of pH, alkalinity,
turbidity, alkalinity and color, in order to calculate the removal obtained, the measurements
were taken before and after performing the tests, in order to to compare and reach a
conclusion. With the results obtained, it was possible to show that if one works with an
optimal dose and concentration of coagulant, it is possible to obtain an efficiency of turbidity
and color removal.

Keywords: Coagulant, Alkalinity, Removal, Turbidity, Color, Jar Test, pH.

Resumen

A través del desarrollo de esta actividad, se buscó reforzar el conocimiento adquirido a lo

largo del semestre, analizando los parámetros fisicoquímicos del agua, y los porcentajes de
remoción como el de la alcalinidad, turbiedad, pH, color. Lo anterior se logró mediante la
ejecución de diferentes pruebas como test de jarras, coagulación- floculación, además del uso
de sulfato de aluminio, cloruro férrico y policloruro de aluminio líquido.

A medida que los ensayos se iban realizando, se realizaban toma de medidas de los
parámetros de pH, alcalinidad, turbidez, alcalinidad y color, para lograr calcular la remoción
obtenida, las medidas se tomaban antes y después de realizar las pruebas, con el fin de
comparar y lograr una conclusión. Con los resultados obtenidos se logró evidenciar que si se
trabaja con una dosis y una concentración óptima de coagulante, se logra obtener una
eficiencia de remoción de turbidez y color.

Palabras claves: Coagulante, Alcalinidad, Remoción, Turbiedad, Color, Test de Jarras, pH.

Introduction
The development of this work was directed to the analysis of the different
physicochemical parameters of the water, these tests and tests were carried out
in a laboratory, where jar tests were carried out that served to simulate the
coagulation-flocculation process and the removal of the parameters such as
alkalinity, pH, color, turbidity.
Water is essential for life and necessary for the economic development of
populations as well as for maintaining the environmental balance of ecosystems.
Many coagulating agents are used in water treatment processes, which can be
classified as inorganic coagulants (aluminum and iron salts), synthetic and
natural organic polymers (Okuda et al. 2001).
The importance of these procedures is focused on optimizing the quality of
water, making it suitable for good human consumption and allowing quality of
life, water treatment plants play a very important role in the development of life
itself, since On a daily basis, the activities of production, food, and waste
generation deplete the limited resource that we have, which is why water
treatment must be a pillar in day-to-day life. In addition to this, it must be taken
into account that wastewater discharges must comply with the established
permissible limits, since the efficiency of the processes carried out in the water
treatment plants depends on them.
It is essential that the people in charge of and related to the operation and
maintenance of water treatment plants acquire the necessary knowledge to be
applied to the process of improving the quality of water for human consumption.
MATERIALS AND METHODS

Materials

Alkalinity:

 Sample: Surface water 100 ml

 50 ml digital burette
 10 ml burette
 Phenolphthalein
 Methyl Orange
 Sulfuric Acid H2S04 0.02 N.
 Erlenmeyer 250 ml
 100 ml measuring cylinder
 Distilled Water
 Magnetic bar
 Metal stirrer

Jug Test:

 Flocculator
 2 Liters of surface water sample
 6 Baker of 1000 ml
 1000 ml measuring cylinder
 Baker 250 ml
 100 ml volumetric flask with each coagulant to be used
 Turbidimeter
 6 disposable siringes

Method

pH

The pH was measured by means of a pH meter (Metrohm), we took 50 ml of the sample and
measured the pH.

Alkalinity

A sample of 100 ml of untreated water (initial sample) was taken, to which two drops of
methyl orange, since it acts as an indicator in the determination of alkalinity, is acidic sulfuric
acid (H2SO4) at 0.02N as headline. The viro sample is light pink with 19.5mL of H2SO4.

Color

The determination of color was carried out by means of visual comparison of the sample with
a glass disk of properly calibrated colors, performed for each beaker and the initial sample.
Turbidity

Turbidity was determined using the Merck Turbiquant 1000IR Turbidimeter for the initial
sample and each of the beakers, this is based on the nephelometric method, with this method
the intensity of light scattered by the sample with the intensity of light scattered by a
suspension reference standard under the same measurement conditions. The higher the light
intensitydispersed, the greater the turbidity.

Jug test

For the test, it was determined to use dosages of 20 ppm, 40 ppm, 60 ppm, 80 ppm, 100 ppm
and 120 ppm. The quantities of each coagulant to be added were estimated taking into
account the definition of ppm, the density and concentration of coagulants. It is necessary to
take into account that the volume of each jar is 2000mL, and that the units of mass must be
in grams, in order to use the equation of density.
Results

Optimal dose standardization tests

According to the data obtained after carrying out the tests by the jar and alkalinity test
procedure, it can be inferred that the performance obtained in each of the treatments decreases
the turbidity, color and pH, as can be observed and based on the following formulas to obtain
the expected results in each of the water purification treatment processes and with the
different coagulants used in the tests.

The best doses found for water treatment that presented an initial turbidity of 40 UNT and
color from 50 UPC and PH 8.5 was in the jars 5 of each coagulant supplied for the test, with
removal 40% for the turbidity and 49% for the color and finally for the pH it was 7.6% what
is clearly shown in the pictures.

Regarding the concentration, it could be inferred that the turbidity lowest is obtained where
the dose of 100 mg / L was applied in each coagulant applied.

Regarding the results of the parameters of pH, turbidity and color, firstly the pH was
measured by means of a pH meter, the turbidity was obtained by means of a turbidimeter and
the color by visual means with the sample with discs of properly calibrated colors.

ALKALINITY:

𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐻2 𝑆𝑂4 ∗ 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝐻2 𝑆𝑂4 ∗ 50000

𝐴𝑙𝑘𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒
 0.02 ∗ 19.5 𝑚𝑙 ∗ 50000
𝐴𝑙𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑑𝑎𝑑 = = 𝟏𝟗𝟓
100 𝑚𝑙

JUG TEST:
INITIAL DATA:
Turbidity: 40 NTU
Color: 50 UPC
PH: 8.5
Aluminum sulfate:
For 20 ppm (mg / L), the mass is:
20 𝑚𝑔 1𝑔
∗ ∗ 0.8𝐿 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟔 𝒈
𝐿 1000 𝑚𝑔
With the percentage of purity of Aluminum Sulfate (17%), the correction factor will be
applied to the indicated mass having to
0.016 𝑔
= 0.094 𝑔
0.17 𝑔
P: density
𝑃
𝑝=
𝑣
The necessary volume of the reagent is cleared, taking into account its density, which is 1.12
g / ml for aluminum sulfate
0.094 𝑔
𝑉= = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟖𝟒 𝒎𝒍
1.12 𝑔/𝑚𝑙
Ferric chloride:
For 20 ppm (mg / L), the mass is:
20 𝑚𝑔 1𝑔
∗ ∗ 0.8𝐿 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟔 𝒈
𝐿 1000 𝑚𝑔
With the percentage of purity of Ferric Chloride (40%), the correction factor will be applied
to the indicated mass having to
0.016 𝑔
= 𝟎. 𝟎𝟒 𝒈
0.4 𝑔
P: density
 𝑃
𝑝=
𝑣
The necessary volume of the reagent is cleared, taking into account its density, which is 1.42
g / ml for Ferric chloride.
0.04 𝑔
𝑉= = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟖 𝒎𝒍
1.42 𝑔/𝑚𝑙

Liquid Poly Aluminum Chloride (PAC)

For 20 ppm (mg / L), the mass is:
20 𝑚𝑔 1𝑔
∗ ∗ 0.8𝐿 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟔 𝒈
𝐿 1000 𝑚𝑔
With the percentage of purity of the Liquid Poly Aluminum Chloride (PAC) is (15%), the
correction factor will be applied to the indicated mass having to
0.016 𝑔
= 𝟎. 𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝒈
0.15 𝑔
P: density
𝑃
𝑝=
𝑣
The necessary volume of the reagent is cleared, taking into account its density, which is 1.25
g / ml for liquid poly aluminum chloride (PAC)
0.106 𝑔
𝑉= = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟖𝟒 𝒎𝒍
1.25 𝑔/𝑚𝑙

Coagulant Concentration Density 20 ppm 40 ppm 60 ppm 80 ppm 100 ppm 120 pmm
Aluminum
sulfate 17% 1,12 g/ml 0,084 ml 0,168 ml 0,252 ml 0,336 ml 0,420 ml 0,504 ml
Ferric
chloride 40% 1,42 g/ml 0,028 ml 0,056 ml 0,084 ml 0,113 ml 0,140 ml 0,169 ml
Liquid Poly
Aluminum
Chloride
(PAC) 15% 1,25 g/ml 0,084 ml 0,170 ml 0,256 ml 0,340 ml 0,426 ml 0,512 ml

Calculation of removal efficiency:

𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 (𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑢𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑦) − 𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 (𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑡)
𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 (%) = ( ) ∗ 100
𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 (𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑢𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑦)
 Test 1 Aluminum Sulfate
Efficiency
Final Efficiency
Jug volume Coagulant Final Color (%) Efficiency
Jugs turbidity PH Final (%) Color
(L) dose (ppm) (UPC) Turbidity (%) PH
(NTU) (UPC)
(NTU)
1 2 20 5,54 10,4 8 39,86 49,79 7,56
2 2 40 3,87 9,9 8,2 39,90 49,80 7,54
3 2 60 2,2 8 7,9 39,95 49,84 7,57
4 2 80 1,4 7,6 7,5 39,97 49,85 7,62
5 2 100 1,02 7,3 7,2 40,0 49,9 7,65
6 2 120 1,84 7,9 7,5 39,95 49,84 7,62

Test 2 Ferric Chloride

Efficiency
Final Efficiency
Jug volume Coagulant Final Color (%) Efficiency
Jugs turbidity PH Final (%) Color
(L) dose (ppm) (UPC) Turbidity (%) PH
(NTU) (UPC)
(NTU)
1 2 20 9,3 19,8 8,2 39,77 49,60 7,54
2 2 40 7 14,9 8 39,83 49,70 7,56
3 2 60 5,6 9,9 7,8 39,86 49,80 7,58
4 2 80 2,7 7,8 7,4 39,93 49,84 7,63
5 2 100 1,4 6,5 7,1 40,0 49,87 7,66
6 2 120 1,5 6,9 7,3 39,96 49,86 7,64

Test 3 Liquid Aluminum Polychloride (PAC)

Efficiency
Final Efficiency
Jug volume Coagulant Final Color (%) Efficiency
Jugs turbidity PH Final (%) Color
(L) dose (ppm) (UPC) Turbidity (%) PH
(NTU) (UPC)
(NTU)
1 2 20 9,4 17,8 8,1 39,77 49,64 7,55
2 2 40 6,6 11,9 8,1 39,84 49,76 7,55
3 2 60 5,1 8,9 7,9 39,87 49,82 7,57
4 2 80 2,9 7,3 7,4 39,93 49,85 7,63
5 2 100 1,2 7 7,2 40,0 49,86 7,65
6 2 120 1,4 7,1 7,3 39,97 49,86 7,64

Results

Optimal dose standardization tests

According to the data obtained after carrying out the tests by the jar and alkalinity test
procedure, it can be inferred that the performance obtained in each of the treatments decreases
the turbidity, color and pH, as can be observed and based on the following formulas to obtain
the expected results in each of the water purification treatment processes and with the
different coagulants used in the tests.

The best doses found for water treatment that presented an initial turbidity of 40 UNT and
color from 50 UPC and PH 8.5 was in the jars 5 of each coagulant supplied for the test, with
removal
40% for the turbidity and 49% for the color and finally for the pH it was 7.6% what is clearly
shown in the pictures.

Regarding the concentration, it could be inferred that the turbidity lowest is obtained where
the dose of 100 mg / L was applied in each coagulant applied.

Regarding the results of the parameters of pH, turbidity and color, firstly the pH was
measured by means of a pH meter, the turbidity was obtained by means of a turbidimeter and
the color by visual means with the sample with discs of properly calibrated colors.

Discussion
The results obtained in each parameter can be seen that the removal efficiency by the methods
used for both alkalinity and the jar test is within the permissible values according to current
Colombian regulations, which is resolution 2115 of 2007 and the decree 1575 of 2007 which
are to establish the system for the protection and control of water quality, in order to monitor,
prevent and control the risks to human health caused by its consumption and the maximum
permissible values of the characteristics or physicochemical parameters. Of water for human
consumption listed in the following table:
Compared with the results obtained in the jar test with each coagulant, they are within these
permissible ranges.
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