Water Treatment and Its Alternative Methodologies: Use of Natural Coagulants and Helically Coiled Tube Flocculators For Water Clarification

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to explore alternative and innovative methods for water clarification, with an emphasis on the application of natural coagulants and Helically Coiled Tube Flocculators (HCTFs) as viable and effective solutions compared to conventional methods. Theoretical Framework: The theoretical framework is grounded in the fundamental principles of water clarification and traditional technologies, highlighting the limitations of conventional chemical coagulants and their implications for public health and the environment. The research reviews studies that demonstrate the environmental and public health benefits of natural coagulants. Method: The adopted methodology includes a literature review on natural coagulants and HCTFs, followed by a laboratory-scale experiment. Natural coagulants were used in conjunction with HCTFs in a hydraulic system operating in batch mode to evaluate the efficiency of turbidity removal. Results and Discussion: The results demonstrated a significant efficiency in turbidity removal, achieving 95% within a flocculation time of less than 2 minutes. The discussion contextualizes these findings within the theoretical framework, highlighting the advantages of natural coagulants and HCTFs compared to traditional methods. Research Implications: The implications of this research suggest that combining natural coagulants with HCTFs can be applied on a large scale to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of water treatment systems, benefiting both public health and the environment. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by proposing the combination of HCTFs with natural coagulants, offering an effective alternative to conventional water clarification methods and positively impacting environmental sustainability and public health.