Use of Oak Bark Powder as Natural Coagulant in Turbidity Removal of Water

Abstract

Coagulation is an important water treatment process used to reduce water turbidity. In this study, the effectiveness of a natural coagulant derived from an oak bark for turbidity removal was evaluated using jar test. Initial turbidity values of sample water were from 25-300 NTU which was reduced by as much as 96.6 % using dose of 2.5 ml from 77 mg/l and 96.1% using dose of 0.5 ml from 77 mg/l concentration of oak bark powder extract respectively. In continuous flow turbidity was varied from 25—300 NTU for which 1.5 m distance was enough for turbidity removal by using oak bark powder extract of 77 mg/l optimum dose. It was indicated that the coagulant did not have a considerable effect on final pH of the water. Different concentrations 76, 77 and 78 mg/l of oak bark extract added shows clear correlation with the final turbidity. High turbidity removal determined in this study indicates that oak bark has the potential to be utilized for water treatment applications for 25—300 NTU turbidity range.