Kinetics and Particle Removal Profile of Pulverized Snail Shell – Alum Induced Coag-Flocculation of Quarry Effluent

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.