CE364:Environmental Engineering

Week 4

Topics:
- Flow sheets for water treatment

Dr. N.Premananda Singh, Civil Engineering, MIT Imphal

Email: [email protected]
 What treatment is all about?
• Some connection between water and health was
observed.
• Sanskrit literature mentions of boiling and filtration
of water dating back to 2000 B.C.
• This was primarily done to improve the aesthetic
quality of water - this reduced death related to water
as well.
• But all these were practiced in individual households.
• There is no evidence of treating public water supplies
which began lately (first by Scotland, 1804).
 What treatment is all about?
• When the theory related to transmittance of
diseases was developed - disinfection with bleach
powder or hypochlorite became common.
• Other processes developed slowly – coagulations as
an adjunct to settling, use of charcoal to remove
dissolved organics, improvement of this material to
activated carbon or use of synthetic membranes –
are all recent occurrences.
• But all these development took place in the absence
of deep scientific understanding and knowledge
concerning the basic principles upon which they
operate.
 What treatment is all about?
• Only recently since about 60 – 70 years,
development of water treatment as per scientific
knowledge started but this did not change the
science drastically.
• The change was largely in terms of – refinement
of processes, development of better equipment,
and overall increase in operating efficiencies in
water treatment.
 Objectives of water treatment

• Four general objectives of drinking water

treatment are to:
– Remove any toxic or health-hazard materials
– Remove or inactivate disease-producing organisms
– Provide a water of consistent quality
– Enhance the aesthetic acceptability of the water
• Good engineering practice requires that these
objectives be achieved with a reasonable factor
of safety, and at reasonable cost.
• Defining treatment objectives and selecting
appropriate control technologies
• It involves some basic considerations:
– Effluent requirements
– Adequate quantity
– Influent characteristics
– Operating requirements
– Pretreatment and post-treatment components
– Waste management
– Future needs of the service area
Elements of conventional water treatment
plant
 Line of treatment
• Natural waters, polluted, are likely to contain
dissolved inorganic and organic substances,
biological forms, and suspended inorganic
material.
 Line of treatment
• Natural waters, polluted, are likely to contain
dissolved inorganic and organic substances,
biological forms, and suspended inorganic
material.
• To remove these substances, the usual unit
processes include plain-sedimentation, removal
by coagulation, generally followed by filtration,
and chemical precipitation, which is used
generally to remove dissolved minerals like
hardness components and iron and manganese.
 Line of treatment
• Natural waters, polluted, are likely to contain dissolved
inorganic and organic substances, biological forms, and
suspended inorganic material.
• To remove these substances, the usual unit processes
include plain-sedimentation, removal by coagulation,
generally followed by filtration, and chemical
precipitation, which is used generally to remove
dissolved minerals like hardness components and iron
and manganese.
• Other processes, such as adsorption, aeration, ion-
exchange, oxidation, and distillation, are also
important for the removal of dissolved substances.
 Standard line of treatment to water
• The standard unit processes that make up a
conventional water treatment plant are:
– chemical feed,
– rapid mix,
– flocculation,
– sedimentation,
– filtration, and
– disinfection.
 Philosophy of standard line of water treatment
• The water to be treated is brought to the rapid-mixing tank where
destabilizing chemicals are added; vigorous mixing occurs for a
short time .
 Philosophy of standard line of water treatment
• The water to be treated is brought to the rapid-mixing tank where
destabilizing chemicals are added; vigorous mixing occurs for a
short time .
• Destabilization is fast and essentially completes after this rapid
mixing. The water and its destabilized particles are then
introduced into the flocculation tank, where gentle fluid motion
brings the particles into contact so that aggregates can form. This
gentle mixing is done mechanically, although hydraulic mixing is
sometimes employed using baffled tanks.
 Philosophy of standard line of water treatment
• The water to be treated is brought to the rapid-mixing tank where
destabilizing chemicals are added; vigorous mixing occurs for a
short time .
• Destabilization is fast and essentially completes after this rapid
mixing. The water and its destabilized particles are then
introduced into the flocculation tank, where gentle fluid motion
brings the particles into contact so that aggregates can form. This
gentle mixing is done mechanically, although hydraulic mixing is
sometimes employed using baffled tanks.
• The rapid-mixing and flocculation tanks together bring about
aggregation and make up the coagulation process. No materials
are removed from the water in these tanks. In fact, materials are
added in the form of coagulant chemicals.
 Philosophy of standard line of water treatment
• Solids are removed in subsequent settling and filtration facilities.
These solid–liquid separation processes must remove the particles
present in the original raw water and the chemicals added to bring
about coagulation. The solids leave the treatment system in sludge
from the settling tanks and in backwash water from the filters.
 Philosophy of standard line of water treatment
• Solids are removed in subsequent settling and filtration facilities.
These solid–liquid separation processes must remove the particles
present in the original raw water and the chemicals added to bring
about coagulation. The solids leave the treatment system in sludge
from the settling tanks and in backwash water from the filters.
• Disposal of these water treatment plant wastes is a problem in
itself. Here it is important to note that the characteristics of these
wastes (solids concentration, quantity, dewatering capability) are
functions not only of the raw water supply but also of the
materials used as coagulants.
 Philosophy of standard line of water treatment
• Solids are removed in subsequent settling and filtration facilities.
These solid–liquid separation processes must remove the particles
present in the original raw water and the chemicals added to bring
about coagulation. The solids leave the treatment system in sludge
from the settling tanks and in backwash water from the filters.
• Disposal of these water treatment plant wastes is a problem in
itself. Here it is important to note that the characteristics of these
wastes (solids concentration, quantity, dewatering capability) are
functions not only of the raw water supply but also of the
materials used as coagulants.
• Disinfection provides another barrier to waterborne disease.
 Sources of water

Surface water Ground water

 Water treatment processes for Ground water-1
Processes Chemicals added
Aeration: (not required for surface water)
Removes undesirable gases (degasification)
and/or oxidation of iron and manganese. During Raw water
this process:
Iron – soluble in water, converted to insoluble Gases to
1 atmosphere
precipitates.
e.g. CO2, H2S produced due to bacterial
decomposition of OM are escaped to atm.
 Water treatment processes for Ground water-1
Processes Chemicals added
Aeration: (not required for surface water)
Removes undesirable gases (degasification)
and/or oxidation of iron and manganese. During Raw water
this process:
Iron – soluble in water, converted to insoluble Gases to
1 atmosphere
precipitates.
e.g. CO2, H2S produced due to bacterial
decomposition of OM are escaped to atm.

Softening:
Removes Calcium or Magnesium hardness. The
CaCO3 and Mg(OH)2 precipitates and are Sludge dispose or reuse
Lime
settled by gravity. CaCO3
CaO
2
Soda Mg(OH)2
 Water treatment processes for Ground water-1
Processes Chemicals added
Aeration: (not required for surface water)
Removes undesirable gases (degasification)
and/or oxidation of iron and manganese. During Raw water
this process:
Iron – soluble in water, converted to insoluble Gases to
1 atmosphere
precipitates.
e.g. CO2, H2S produced due to bacterial
decomposition of OM are escaped to atm.

Softening:
Removes Calcium or Magnesium hardness. The
CaCO3 and Mg(OH)2 precipitates and are Sludge dispose or reuse
Lime
settled by gravity. CaCO3
CaO
2
Soda Mg(OH)2
Filtration:
Pass the water through a stationary bed of
granular medium (sand). Removes residual
CaCO3 crystals and Mg(OH)2 flocs left over from
softening; disinfectant may also be added to 3 Backwash water
prevent biological growth on filter medium. Chlorine Sand Decanted;
filter Sludge removed
to be disposed
 Water treatment processes for Ground water-2
Processes Chemicals added
Disinfection:
Destroys pathogens, enough chlorine is Water from 3
added to provide a residual in the Chlorine
distribution system. Sludge to be
4 disposed
 Water treatment processes for Ground water-2
Processes Chemicals added
Disinfection:
Destroys pathogens, enough chlorine is Water from 3
added to provide a residual in the Chlorine
distribution system. Sludge to be
4 disposed

Storage:
Provides contact time for disinfection and
store water for peak demands 5
To distribution
system
 Water treatment processes for Ground water-2
Processes Chemicals added
Disinfection:
Destroys pathogens, enough chlorine is Water from 3
added to provide a residual in the Chlorine
distribution system. Sludge to be
4 disposed

Storage:
Provides contact time for disinfection and
store water for peak demands 5
To distribution
system

Generally free from suspended solids and microorganisms  contain

more dissolved salts  a cause of hardness, and iron content 
therefore only softening and iron removal can be sufficient. However,
proper disinfection is must against bacterial decomposition
Typical treatment flow diagram for
groundwater
 Water treatment processes for Surface water - 1
Processes Chemicals added
Screening:
Removes floating matters
Raw water

Floating objects
1 disposed
 Water treatment processes for Surface water - 1
Processes Chemicals added
Screening:
Removes floating matters
Raw water

Floating objects
1 disposed

Pre-sedimentation:
Removes large suspended matters (physically Sludge
separating solid materials from water) – Chlorine
removed
common technique is gravity. Sometimes, 2 periodically
chemicals are added to oxidize organics
Ammonia and disposed
 Water treatment processes for Surface water - 1
Processes Chemicals added
Screening:
Removes floating matters
Raw water

Floating objects
1 disposed

Pre-sedimentation:
Removes large suspended matters (physically Sludge
separating solid materials from water) – Chlorine
removed
common technique is gravity. Sometimes, 2 periodically
chemicals are added to oxidize organics
Ammonia and disposed
Mixing, flocculation and settling (coagulation):
Removes turbidity by coagulating colloids and
settling them out; may also remove color by
large organic molecules – Sludge
e.g. Hydrolysis of alum produces aluminum Alum removed
hydroxide – Al(OH)3, forms in gelatinous flocs 3 continuously;
(sticky) heavier than water in which colloids are Disposed after
entrapped and settled by gravity. dewatering to
landfill
 Water treatment processes for Surface water-2
Processes Chemicals added
Filtration: Water from 3
Removes the remaining turbidity;
disinfectant may be added to prevent Backwash water
biological growth on filter medium decanted;
4 dewatered
sludge disposed
 Water treatment processes for Surface water-2
Processes Chemicals added
Filtration: Water from 3
Removes the remaining turbidity;
disinfectant may be added to prevent Backwash water
biological growth on filter medium Chlorine decanted;
4 dewatered
sludge disposed
Adsorption:
Necessary when water contains dissolved Once carbon
organics; activated carbon added in
powdered form in operation similar to 3 Is exhausted,
5 to be disposed
or reused
 Water treatment processes for Surface water-2
Processes Chemicals added
Filtration: Water from 3
Removes the remaining turbidity;
disinfectant may be added to prevent Backwash water
biological growth on filter medium Chlorine decanted;
4 dewatered
sludge disposed
Adsorption:
Necessary when water contains dissolved Once carbon
organics; activated carbon added in
powdered form in operation similar to 3 Is exhausted,
5 to be disposed
or reused
Disinfection:
Destroys pathogens, enough chlorine is
added to provide a residual in the Chlorine
distribution system. 6
 Water treatment processes for Surface water-2
Processes Chemicals added
Filtration:
Removes the remaining turbidity; Water from 3
disinfectant may be added to prevent Backwash water
biological growth on filter medium Chlorine decanted;
4 dewatered
sludge disposed
Adsorption:
Necessary when water contains dissolved Once carbon
organics; activated carbon added in
powdered form in operation similar to 3 Is exhausted,
5 to be disposed
or reused
Disinfection:
Destroys pathogens, enough chlorine is
added to provide a residual in the Chlorine
distribution system. 6
Storage:
Provides contact time for disinfection and
store water for peak demands To distribution
7
system
Elements of surface water treatment
processes
 Water treatment process
The process of converting raw water to drinking water
involves:
• Pre sedimentation- velocity of the water is lowered to
remove larger suspended solid.
• Coagulation - the addition of chemicals to add weight
to particulates in the water
• Flocculation - the grouping of solids in the water due
to gentle mixing.
• Filtration - removing the solids
• Disinfection - destruction of pathogens in the water
• Storage - water towers
• Supply
 Pre sedimentation
• Sedimentation is a treatment
process in which the velocity
of the water is lowered below
the suspension velocity and
the suspended particles settle
out of the water due to
gravity. The process is also
known as settling.
• It removes the larger
suspended solid before
coagulation-flocculation.
Chemical may be added In
some cases to oxidize organics
in pre sedimentation tank.
 Coagulation-flocculation
• Addition of coagulant i.e. alum
which stick to the suspended
particles in water and becomes
settled down.
• Gentle mixing accelerates the
rate of particle collision, and the
destabilized particles are further
aggregated and enmeshed into
larger precipitates.
 Sedimentation tank
• When water has little or no
movement, suspended
solids sink to the bottom
under the force of gravity
and form a sediment and
The process is called
sedimentation.
• In water treatment it is used
to remove solids from
waters and also to remove
particles rendered
settleable by coagulation
and flocculation.
• The disposed sludge are
used in land filling.
 Filtration
In the slow sand filter, water first
passes through sand, then through a
layer of gravel, before entering the
under drain. The sand removes
particles from the water through
adsorption and straining.

Rapid sand filter

Slow sand filter The most importance of rapid sand filter are, much
greater filtration rate and the ability to clean
automatically using backwashing.
 Adsorption
• Activated carbon (AC) filters have
been used in home water
purification systems primarily to
remove taste and odor.
• In recent years, however, AC filters
have been used to remove some
of the contaminants that have
been discovered in water supplies.

• AC is most effective at removing

organic compounds such as
volatile organic compounds,
pesticides and benzene. It can
also remove some metals, chlorine
and radon. As with any treatment
system, it cannot remove all
possible drinking water
contaminants.
 Disinfection
• In a vacuum chlorinator, chlorine gas
is pulled from the cylinder into the
source water by a vacuum
• In a direct feed chlorinator, the
chlorine gas is under pressure and is
pumped directly into the main flow of Vacuum chlorination
water
• If water contaminated with viruses
and bacteria, but not chemicals or
Direct feed chlorination
large mineral deposits? If so, the
perfect water purification system
could be Ultraviolet Disinfection
System.
• Dirty contaminated drinking water
passes through radiant energy in the
ultraviolet region of the light spectrum
to kill the microorganism.