Using Enhanced Coagulation to Satisfy the Disinfection By-Products Rule

To highlight the benefits of the enhanced coagulation process, a pilot study was conducted on a surface water that contained above average organics, where the existing facility was struggling to meet the Disinfection By-Products (DBP) Rule. Using a sludge blanket clarifier and a gravity filtration column a pilot was setup at the water treatment plant. Both Aluminum Sulfate and Ferric Chloride were used as primary coagulants, but the Ferric Chloride proved to be more successful by consuming nearly half as much raw materials and by reducing a larger percentage of the organics. The Ferric Chloride was able to achieve these items through enhanced coagulation, because of its ability to depress the pH to roughly 5.7.