Utilização de Moringa oleifera LAM como auxiliar no processo de coagulação/floculação/filtração para o tratamento de água de abastecimento

Abstract

The use of natural polymers in water treatment is a promising alternative due to of the advantages associated with its application. In this work of it was evaluated the use of a natural polymer, obtained from Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam) as a coagulation aid to aluminum sulphate and polyaluminium chloride (PAC) in the treatment of water supply. Tests were carried out with concentrations of 0 up to 550 ppm of moringa, with lower concentrations of chemical coagulant used in the Water treatment station. However, it was analyzed the best three obtained concentrations (250 ppm, 320 ppm, 360 ppm) of moringa and with them it was carried out the characterization of water using physicochemical parameters (color, turbidity, total solids, volatile and fixed, alkalinity, acidity, nitrogen, phosphorus, and bacteriological parameters (total coliforms and Escherichia coli). The use of natural polymer obtained from Moringa improved the quality of decanted water, with lower values of color, turbidity and solids present in the water. The color and turbidity showed a removal of 76.6% and 97.3% respectively at 320 ppm and 360 ppm of moringa and 7 ppm of PAC. On the other hand, total coliforms and E. coli became missing after the treatment, even with lower concentrations of chemical coagulant and shorter decantation period. As a form of polishing it was used three kinds of filters with different materials, but which did not show satisfactory results.