Microsoft Word - 48dallavecchia.docx CHEMICAL ENGINEERING TRANSACTIONS VOL. 49, 2016 A publication of The Italian Association of Chemical Engineering Online at www.aidic.it/cet Guest Editors: Enrico Bardone, Marco Bravi, Tajalli Keshavarz Copyright © 2016, AIDIC Servizi S.r.l., ISBN 978-88-95608-40-2; ISSN 2283-9216 Evaluation of the Efficiency of Bio-Polymers Derived from Desertic Plants as Flocculation Agents Rina Daza, Andrés F. Barajas-Solano, Jesús M. Epalza* Universidad de Santander UDES Progam of Environmental Engineering, Applied Environmental Research Group - GAIA, Bucaramanga, Colombia manuelepalza@gmail.com In the treatment of wastewater, flocculation is one of the most used processes, which aims to eliminate colloidal particles cannot be removed by other methods; Traditionally it has been used aluminum or iron salts and synthetic polymer, which generate little biodegradable sludge; moreover biopolymers, have coagulation and flocculation properties which can remove over 80-90% of solids contaminated; additionally, the use of natural polymers produce sludge increased biodegradability. The present work analyzes the efficiency of a biopolimer based on 6 endemic plants (Opuntia dilleni, Stenocereus griseus, Cereus forbesii, Melocactus sp. Aloe arborescens and Aloe vera) found at the desertic indian reservation “Kululumana”. 1. Introduction The demand for drinking water in developing countries is growing, in line with the Millennium Development Goals (UN - United Nations, 2014); however, this activity require large amounts of chemical, particularly inorganic salts such as ferric chloride (FeCl3) and aluminum sulfate (Al2SO4). This salts once mixed with sewage sludge raw water, produce an aqueous solid enriched with iron and aluminium, which are disposed in landfills, and sometimes discharged into water bodies. This practice transforms sludge source of iron and aluminum deposited on the bed of water bodies (Metcalf & Eddy Inc, 1979). The presence of these metals in the environment has consequences that have been recorded, such as fish affectation affectations on balance, susceptibility to diseases; on benthic populations suffer significant variations in structure, distribution and abundance in water bodies and various effects in humans as conditions in kidney cells (De Souza Aloisyo, 1999). One possibility is to replace these salts with polymers derived from organic sources, which act as flocculants or coagulants in addition hold characteristics of biodegradability and generate no harmful deposits of metals, and semi-desert communities (Fernández, 2002), which have no efficient treatment systems drinking water, can use it efficiently. Natural coagulants are used in water with low to medium turbidity (50-500 NTU) and have similar performance to its chemical counterparts (Yin, 2010). Flocculants derived from plants posess polyelectrolytes (mainly polysaccharides and protein compounds) that can affect the stability of ionic charges in aqueous solution (Vijayaraghavan G., 2011). Plants of the genus Opuntia sp (family Cactaceae) produce a hydrocolloid (or mucilage) with highly branched structures that can retain water (Medina Torresa L, 2000). According to Guzmán (2013) plant-based bioflocculant can act as co-coagulant with aluminum sulphate. The present work analyzes the efficiency of a biopolimer based on 6 endemic plants (Opuntia dilleni, Stenocereus griseus, Cereus forbesii, Melocactus sp. Aloe arborescens and Aloe vera) found at the desertic indian reservation “Kululumana”. 2. Methodology 2.1 Sampling Samples from six plant species (Opuntia dilleni sp, Stenocereus sp, Cereus forbesi, Melocactus sp, Aloe arborescens, and Aloe vera). were collected at the indian reservation “Kululumana” located at the the DOI: 10.3303/CET1649061 Please cite this article as: Daza-Gamez R., Barajas-Solano A., Epalza-Contreras M., 2016, Evaluation of the efficiency of bio-polymers derived from desertic plants as flocculation agents, Chemical Engineering Transactions, 49, 361-366 DOI: 10.3303/CET1649061 361 municipality of Maicao (Guajira, Colombia) and at Pescadero (Santander, Colombia) This methodology was guided by the Faculty of Engineering University of Zulia (Daimarys Martinez 2003). 2.2. Production of Flocculants Samples were subjected to cutting, grinding with ball mill and sun drying. In order to prove the ability of extracts, and to find the appropriate concentrations of flocculant a jar test assay was performed on a sample of crude water usign each of the extracts; samples were processed and measurements on variable water quality were applied to match Colombian legislation (Resolution 2115, 2007) (Ministry of Social Protection, 2007) (Table 1). The selected variables were pH (Standard Methods 4500H+), conductivity (Standard Methods 2510), color (Standard Methods 2120B) and turbidity (Standard Methods 2001) (American Public Health Association, 1995). Each of the tests were done only with the flocculant, without pH change or prior modification on the media on water, in no case be used for pH neutralization or flocculation aid (Wang L.K., 2005). Table 1: Standard for drinking water (Resolution 2115, 2007). Property Unit Value Standard Color UPt-Co ≤15 pH 6,5-9,0 Turbidity NTU ≤ 2 Conductivity µs/cm 50 – 1000 3. Results The results are presented for the jar tests in the best characteristics given by the results of standard variables for drinking water in Colombia, and are presented for each. Figure 1 shows the turbidity removal capacity of each of the extracts and their comparison with the standard sample, were the best performance was obtained using Mellocactus sp and the commercial PAC, with an average reading of 1.9 NTU, in addition this was the only sample that fulfil the standard for drinking water. To develop the study started from a sample of raw water from the creek May 10, within the premises of the University of Santander, characterized and results for the 4 variables were observed: Table 2: Features raw water Property Unit Value Standard Color UPt-Co 375 pH 7 Turbidity NTU 44,5 Conductivity µs/cm 302 Figure 1 shows that the best performance of turbidity removal was made by Melocactus sp, with an average reading of 1.9 NTU measurements, we observe that the only one that meets the standard for drinking water. Data from the same PAC treated water shows that the Melocactus sp, had a similar value. Figure 1: Change on Turbidity using the different samples 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Opuntia sp Stenocereus sp Cereus forbesii Melocactus sp Aloe arborecens Aloe vera PAC Standard T u rb id it y N T U 362 Figure 2: Percentage of turbidity removal Figure 2 shows the percentage of turbidity removal from plant extracts and polyvinyl aluminum, being the best removal percentage of Melocactus sp the sp, with 95.73%. Figure 3: Change on Color using the different samples On the results on color removal (Figure 3), results shows that the best value for color removal on crude water was made by Mellocactus sp, which showed an average value of 12 UPT-Co, being the only one that meets the specification standard for drinking water for this parameter. Figure 4: Color removal percentage Figure 4 shows the percentage of color removal from plant extracts of the flocculant and aluminum polychloride, showing that the removal rate corresponds best to extract Melocactus sp, with 96.80% 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 Opuntia sp Stenocereus sp Cereus forbesii Melocactus sp Aloe arborecens Aloe vera PAC % 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 Opuntia sp Stenocereus sp Cereus forbesii Melocactus sp Aloe arborecens Aloe vera PAC Standard C o lo r U P tC o 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 Opuntia sp Stenocereus sp Cereus forbesii Melocactus sp Aloe arborecens Aloe vera PAC 363 Figure 5: Change on pH using the different samples At pH results of tests of coagulation-flocculation (Figure 5), shows that all plant extracts meet pH parameter for the case of drinking water, also it shows that the performance of the plant extracts are similar to the commercial coagulant-flocculant. Figure 4: Change on Conductivity using the different samples On the other side, conductivity results (Figure 4) shows that all plant extracts meet the parameter of conductivity in the case of drinking water. It was observed that, the coagulant-flocculant has above commercial plant extracts of values. Figure 5: Concentrations of flocculant 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Opuntia sp Stenocereus sp Cereus forbesii Melocactus sp Aloe arborecens Aloe vera PAC Standard p H 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 Opuntia sp Stenocereus sp Cereus forbesii Melocactus sp Aloe arborecens Aloe vera PAC Standard C o n d u c ti v it y μ S /c m 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Opuntia sp Stenocereus sp Cereus forbesii Melocactus sp Aloe arborecens Aloe vera PAC m g /l f lo c c u la n t 364 Figure 5 shows the concentrations of natural flocculants, flocculant compared to conventional aluminum polychloride shown, concentrations correspond to more efficient for removing turbidity and color of raw water. Table 3: % Turbidity Removal Plant species % Turbidity Removal Opuntia sp 88,56 Stenocereus ps 88,58 Cereus forbesii 88,31 Melocactus sp 97,15 Aloe arborecens 92,74 Aloe vera 92,74 Table 3 shows the results measured as turbidity removal percentage shows that the more efficient the flocculant is derived melocactus sp, corresponding to 97.15%, followed by species and Aloe vera Aloe arborecens, 92 are shown, 74% using less than 50mg / liter, this removal is better than that reported with Moringa oleifera, which required concentrations of 125 mg / l to 250 mg / l (Nishi Leticia, 2011) Table 4: % Color Removal Plant species % Color Removal Opuntia sp 94,67 Stenocereus ps 94,67 Cereus forbesii 92,27 Melocactus sp 96,8 Aloe arborecens 95,73 Aloe vera 95,73 Table 4 variable color displays and shows that the greater efficiencies correspond to Melocactus sp species and species of Aloe and Aloe vera arborecens with 96.8% and 95.73% respectively. 4. Conclusions The evaluation of coagulants-flocculants natural shows that the performance of natural extracts has similar to those given by aluminum polychloride (PAC), which is a commercial product used in Colombia conditions. Removal efficiencies reported for turbidity and color in Mellocactus sp, Aloe and Aloe vera arborecens species are better than those reported for Moringa Oleifera. The best plant extract proved the Mellocactus sp, which showed meet the requirements of drinking water standard in Colombia. Mellocactus sp and aluminum polychloride (PAC) yields are very close and the two met for the drinking water standard, however the amount of bioflocculant required is lower than the inorganic sample. Acknowledgments The Authors thank to Universidad de Santander UDES for providing materials and equipment for successfully conclude this research Reference American Public Health Association. (1995). Standard Methods. Whashinton, D.C.: American Public Health Association. American Water Works Association. (2006). Microbiology for drinking water personnel: American Water Works 2006. New York: American Water Works Association. De Souza Aloisyo, B. E. (1999). NOCOES GERAIS DE TRATAMENTO E DISPOSICAO FINAL DE LODOS DE ESTACOES DE TRATAMENTO DE AGUA. Rio de Janeiro: RECOPE (REDE COOPERATIVA DE PESQUISAS). 365 Fernández, J. X. (2002). Novedades taxonómicas y sinopsis del género melocactus link y Otto (cactaceae) en Colombia. Revista de la academia colombiana de ciencias exactas, físicas y naturales., 353-365. Guzmán Luis, V. Á. (2013). REDUCTION OF WATER TURBIDITY USING NATURAL COAGULANTS: A REVIEW. Revista U.D.C.A Actualidad & Divulgación Científica, 253-262. ICONTEC. (2010). PROCEDIMIENTO PARA EL ENSAYO DE COAGULACIÓN-FLOCULACIÓN EN UN RECIPIENTE CON AGUA O MÉTODO DE JARRAS. Bogotá: ICONTEC. Martínez Damarys, C. M. (2003, Abril 30). PERFORMANCE OF CACTUS LEFARIA TO USE LIKE COAGULATING IN THE WATER CLARIFICATION. Revista Técnica de la Facultad de Ingeniería Universidad del Zulia, 26(1), 76-82. Medina-Torresa L, B.-D. L.-S. (2000). Rheological properties of the mucilage gum (Opuntia ficus indica). Food Hydrocolloids, 417-424. Metcalf & Eddy Inc. (1979). Wastewater Engineering Treatment Disposal Reuse 2nd ed. New York: McGrw- Hill International Editions. Ministerio de Protección Social. (2007). DECRETO NÚMERO 1575. Bogotá: Oficial. Nishi Leticia, M. G. (2011). Cyanobacteria Removal by Coagulation/Floculation with Seeds of the Natural Coagulant Moringa oleifera Lam. Chemical Engineering Transactions, 1129-1134. OMS - Organización Mundial de la Salud. (2007). La meta de los ODM relativa al agua potable y el saneamiento: el reto del decenio para zonas urbanas y rurales. Ginebra - Suiza: Organización Mundial de la Salud - OMS. ONU - Organización de Naciones Unidas. (2014). Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio Informe 2014. New York: Naciones Unidas. Resolución 2115. (2007). Capítulo IV. En M. D. SOCIAL, Resolución 2115 (págs. 7-12). Bogotá: Oficial República de Colombia. Torres Bustillos Luis G., C.-U. S. (2013). Production and characterization of Opuntia ficus-indica mucilage and its use as coagulant-flocculant aid for industrial wastewaters. International Journal of Biotechnology Research, 38-45. Vijayaraghavan G., S. T. (2011). APPLICATION OF PLANT BASED COAGULANTS FOR WASTE WATER TREATMENT. International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Studies, 88-92. Wang L.K., H. Y. (2005). Physicochemical Treatment Processes. Vol 3 Handbook of Environmental Engineering. . New Yersey: Humana Press. Yin, C.-Y. (2010). Emerging usage of plant-based coagulants for water and wastewater treatment. Process Biochemistry, 1437-1444. 366