The Effect of Coagulating Potential of Biochar in Raw Water Treatment

Abstract

The current study investigates the potential of Corn Cob (Biochar) as coagulating agent in waste water treatment. The study was conducted for a period of six months from January to June 2017. Jar test was conducted to determine the optimum dosages of the coagulant needed in the treatment of raw water. The concentration of the dose selected for the jar test were; 0.02g/L, 0.04g/L, 0.06g/L and 0.08g/L for the treatment. Physicochemical parameters of raw water samples from is Usuma River showed that turbidity ranged between 30.6 to 89.9 NTU, pH from 6.84 to 7.40, temperature from 29.5^oC to 31.8^oC, TDS from 198 to 260mg/l, total hardness from 74 to 140mg/l, DO from 4.0 to 6.3mg/l, Colour from 360 to 542 PtCo, Alkalinity from 120 to 136mg/l, Conductivity from 289 to 344µS/cm, Iron from 0.89 to 1.5mg/l and Manganese from 1.83 to 2.10mg/l. In the present study, it was observed that the turbidity values of Biochar decreased with increasing concentration. Biochar treated water had improved clarity, turbidity, and color.