COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN THE USE OF COAGULANT EXTRACTED FROM MORINGA OLEIFERA SEEDS AND CHEMICAL COAGULANTS IN WATER TREATMENT

Abstract

Sanitation, availability and sustainable water management are part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). In addition to chemical coagulants, there are synthetic polymers and natural coagulants that can be used in water treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Moringa oleifera seeds, polyaluminum chloride (PAC) and aluminum sulfate in the water treatment from the river located in Córrego dos Pombos. Analyzes were performed in the Jar Test to simulate the processes of coagulation, flocculation and decantation. Dosages of 210 to 3200 mg/L of Moringa oleifera seed powder and 1 to 1000 mg/L of Moringa oleifera seeds extract were used in a water with initial turbidity of 21.30 NTU, and dosages of 7 to 8.58 mg/L of polyaluminium chloride, 14 to 28 mg/L of aluminum sulphate and 50 to 200 mg/L of aqueous seed extract were used in a water with initial turbidity of 73.98 NTU. The optimum dosages for each coagulant were established by analyzing the physical-chemical parameters of the water. The results show that the optimal dosage (50 mg/L) of aqueous extract obtained better efficiency for water of 21.30 NTU, as well as a lower sludge generation (0.8 mL/L) than seed powder (4.5 mL/L). In water of 73.98 NTU, PAC and aqueous extract obtained values above 95% turbidity removal. The aqueous extract generated a smaller volume of sludge compared to chemical coagulants, being an effective, sustainable and viable option to replace them.