Optimización del proceso de coagulación – floculación en la planta de tratamiento de la Empresa Municipal de Agua Potable, Alcantarillado y Saneamiento de Gualaceo Emapas-G-EP

Abstract

The access to a safe and drinking water sources is a fundamental people right, for this reason, the study in the “Planta de Tratamiento de Agua Potable Gualaceo (PTAP-G)”, is focused on determine the optimal Type-B Aluminum Sulfate dose, in function of the turbidity, the water color and the pH, by this way, obtaining the dose curve, to optimize the coagulation – flocculation treatment, getting an optimal water quality. To determine the right Aluminum Sulfate dose and the inorganic compounds that helps to form flocs and maintain the pH, 16 jar tests were made with their respective physical-chemical analysis, where the optimal dose, is obtained in function of the ending turbidity, the ending color of the water and the final pH. By obtaining the appropriate dose in each jar tests, the Aluminum Sulfate dose curve is obtained using math methods, this with the elaboration of the flow chart, helps to the treatment plant operator staff the correct Aluminum Sulfate dosage, that is reflected in the turbidity removing, the color removing, and the conservation of the treated water pH. The adequate dosage of Aluminum Sulfate makes the maximal raw water particles and impurities removing due to the flocculation that ease the sedimentation and the next filtration, getting an excellent water quality that is in accordance to the parameters of the “NTE INEN 1108:2011” norm. To more of this, it could determine that the addition of calcium carbonate and sodium carbonate, advantage to form flocs by adjusting the pH, keeping this in favorable ranges to water treatment, using Type B Aluminum Sulfate and Chlorine.