Diseño y Construcción de un Equipo de Prueba de Jarras para la Tratabilidad de Aguas Residuales

Abstract

A Jar Testing Equipment (mini-reactor system with continuous agitation) has been designed and built in the Industrial Chemistry laboratory of ESPOCH, for the teaching of coagulation and flocculation processes in wastewater treatment. Engineering calculations were made for the sizing of the equipment. AISI 340 stainless steel of 3 mm was used in its construction. Aluminum sulfate in different concentrations was used as coagulant. Gravimetric techniques were used to determine turbidity, pH, etc. The dimensions of the equipment are as follows: Paddle arm length 6.54cm, paddle height 1.31cm, impeller thickness 0.654 impeller diameter 8.72cm, it is driven by a 0.024 Hp motor. It performs flocculation and coagulation processes to reduce water turbidity, the tests were performed in three phases: rapid mixing at 300 R. P.M. for 1 minute applying coagulant solution; then slow mixing at 40 R.P.M. for 5 minutes and finally the jugs rested for 20 minutes. The initial turbidity of the water was 106.3 NTU. In the validation of the equipment, coagulant concentration, dosage and pH were varied. With the application of 10 mL of 3% aluminum sulfate solution at a pH of 7, the initial turbidity was reduced by 67%. The equipment works with an error percentage of 2% and it is recommended to carry out practices for the treatability of wastewater in Industrial Chemistry laboratories.