Optimization of coagulation–flocculation process in the treatment of surface water for a maximum dissolved organic matter removal using RSM approach
Sami Khettaf,
Imen Khouni,
Ghofrane Louhichi,
Ahmed Ghrabi,
Latifa Bousselmi,
Kamel-Eddine Bouhidel,
Mohammed Bouhelassa
Affiliations
Sami Khettaf
Laboratory of Chemistry and Environmental Chemistry LCEE, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Material Sciences, University of Batna 1, Batna 05400, Algeria
Imen Khouni
Laboratory of Wastewater and Environment, Water Research and Technologies Centre (CERTE), Technopark Borj Cedria, BP 273-8020, Soliman, Tunisia
Ghofrane Louhichi
Laboratory of Wastewater and Environment, Water Research and Technologies Centre (CERTE), Technopark Borj Cedria, BP 273-8020, Soliman, Tunisia
Ahmed Ghrabi
Laboratory of Wastewater and Environment, Water Research and Technologies Centre (CERTE), Technopark Borj Cedria, BP 273-8020, Soliman, Tunisia
Latifa Bousselmi
Laboratory of Wastewater and Environment, Water Research and Technologies Centre (CERTE), Technopark Borj Cedria, BP 273-8020, Soliman, Tunisia
Kamel-Eddine Bouhidel
Laboratory of Chemistry and Environmental Chemistry LCEE, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Material Sciences, University of Batna 1, Batna 05400, Algeria
Mohammed Bouhelassa
Environmental Process Engineering Laboratory, University of Constantine 03, Constantine 25000, Algeria
The aim of this research work is the optimization of the coagulation/flocculation process in the treatment of surface water for maximum dissolved organic matter (DOM) removal using response surface methodology (RSM). For this purpose, several jar test experiments were performed in order to identify the most influencing factors. Afterwards, RSM was done to investigate the effects and the interactions of three chosen variables (coagulant concentration, flocculant concentration, and initial pH), whereas the responses were the DOM removal in terms of chemical oxygen demand (COD), in terms of absorbance at the wavelength 254 nm (UV-254), and the final pH. The optimal conditions were as follows: 133 mg/L of coagulant, 60 mg/L of flocculant and an initial pH equal to 6.91. Under these conditions, the efficiency removals were 56% in terms of COD and 59% in terms of UV-254 with a final pH equal to 6.78. High variance coefficient R2 values, with 0.96 for the removal in terms of COD and 0.92 in terms of UV-254, confirm the reliability and the validity of the obtained model. HIGHLIGHTS Coagulation/flocculation is a very efficient process for removing dissolved organic matter from surface waters.; Response surface methodology approach is a very effective and powerful tool for optimizing the coagulation/flocculation process.; Optimization of the coagulation/flocculation process reduces the use of chemicals and protects the environment.;
