Les opérations de dragage génèrent d’importants volumes de sédiments à teneur en eau élevée qui sont difficilement transportables. Toute opération de valorisation ou stockage des sédiments implique de réduire la teneur en eau. Le séchage naturel et la déshydratation mécanisée des sédiments répondent à cette attente. Le séchage naturel des sédiments est la technique de déshydratation la plus économique et la meilleure du point de vue environnemental. Le temps de séchage peut être réduit par des moyens techniques adaptés (retournement, scarification) mis en action par l'application de critères d’aptitude au séchage naturel. Pour ce faire, le processus de séchage naturel a été reproduit à l’échelle du laboratoire à l’aide d’essais d’Égouttage et de Séchage et d’essais de Séchage et de Retrait couplés à des essais scissométriques. Ils ont porté sur neuf sédiments : sept sédiments de barrage, deux sédiments marins et une kaolinite. Une relation Su=f(IP) a été établie. Cette relation permet d’obtenir la cohésion non drainée Su à partir d’une mesure de teneur en eau. Elle permet aussi de définir ou cerner le moment le plus propice au retournement des sédiments à l’aide d’engins spécifiques sur site. Une autre méthode mécanique pour réduire le temps de séchage est suggérée. Il s'agit de pratiquer une scarification des sédiments à l’aide d’outils mobiles, voire robotisés, comme un rouleau scarificateur ou d'une rangée d'outils transportés par un treillis mobile adapté. En ce qui concerne la déshydratation mécanisée des sédiments, une nouvelle méthode de déshydratation en continu a été proposée à partir d'une presse à boues KDS®. Pour des raisons de conception et d'application, la presse à boues KDS® n’a jamais été utilisée pour déshydrater des sédiments. Un plan expérimental a été développé. Il est démontré que la presse KDS® est capable de déshydrater un sédiment fin sableux sans une maintenance démesurée. Des adaptations de la presse KDS® à la déshydratation de sédiments et des améliorations sont finalement proposées. / Dredging operations produce large amounts of sediments with high water content, that are difficult to handle. Storage management and future reuses need to reduce the water content of sediments. Natural and mechanical dewatering of sediments meet this need. The most economic and eco-friendly method of dewatering is natural dewatering. Dewatering period can be reduced with suitable technical means such as adapted plough or scarifier for sediments, operating under defined dewatering criteria. The natural dewatering process was investigated and reproduced at the laboratory scale by performing Natural dewatering test and Shrinkage test coupled with shear measurements (vane shear testing). Nine sediments have been considered: seven dam sediments, two marine sediments and a kaolinite clay. A relationship Su = f(IP) has been established. It allows to deduce the undrained shear strength Su from only a measurement of water content. It allows to state on the right moment to put in operation the specific tools for ploughing and returning over or scarifying sediments stored. These tools can move in the sediments (adapted plough) or roll on the sediments (scarifiying roller) or roll on banks of sediment storage basin. Another way to dewater high water content sediments concerns a mechanical device. Thus a new method of continuous dewatering has been investigated using a prototype machine patented and referenced as KDS® sludge press. This type of press was not adapted for dewater sediments. Full of dewatering tests have been undertaken and performed with this prototype concerning some of sediments (see natural dewatering testing) and sandy clayey mixtures. It has been shown that KDS® press is able to dehydrate sediments including fine sandy sediments without excessive maintenance. Some adaptations and improvements of KDS® press to dewatering sediments are finally suggested.

Nowadays, natural polymeric materials extracted from plants are the new alternatives for synthetic chemicals in water and wastewater treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability of Cassia fistula seed gum (CFG) as a coagulant aid with PAC in the treatment of textile wastewater. Jartest experiments were carried out to identify the optimal parameters of coagulation-flocculation for removing color and COD in synthesis wastewater containing Methyl blue and RB21 dyes, including pH, settling time, PAC dose, the optimal CFG dosage in comparing with the cationic polymer. After that, actual textile wastewater was treated by using PAC, PAC plus cationic polymer, and PAC plus CFG for evaluating the role of CFG. CFG supplementation has assisted the process effects at nearly 98% color, 85% COD for RB21 and 90% color, 70% COD for MB at the best dose of CFG 0.15 mL and 0.1 mL, respectively. The optimized parameters for the coagulation of real textile wastewater using PAC were pH = 6 and dose = 0.6 mL can removal 66% of color. By adding CFG to PAC, the efficient of treatment was increased about 70% even at the lower dosage of PAC and CFG (0.5 mL for each reagent). The yield of combining PAC and polymer was a little bit lower than PAC and CFG, for instant 68% color was decreased at the same condition. These achievements demonstrated a workable substitute of natural products such as Cassis fistula seed gum for synthetic chemical products in coagulation-flocculation process. / Hiện nay các loại vật liệu sinh học chiết xuất từ thực vật đang được nghiên cứu ứng dụng trong xử lý nước và nước thải thay cho các chất hóa học. Mục tiêu của nghiên cứu này là đánh giá hiệu quả của việc sử dụng gum được chiết xuất từ hạt cây Muồng Hoàng Yến (MHY) làm chất trợ keo tụ trong xử lý nước thải dệt nhuộm. Thí nghiệm Jartest được tiến hành nhằm xác định các điều kiện tối ưu cho quá trình xử lý nước thải tổng hợp chứa thuốc nhuộm Methyle Blue (MB) và RB21 bao gồm pH, thời gian lắng, liều PAC, liều gum MHY và liều polymer. Sau đó tiến hành xử lý nước thải thật với các điều kiện thích hợp đã xác định nhằm đánh giá vai trò của gum MHY. Gum MHY làm tăng hiệu quả của quá trình xử lý, đạt gần 98% đối với độ màu, 85% COD đối với RB21, 90% độ màu và 70% COD đối với MB với liều lượng tương ứng là 0,15 mL và 0,1 mL. Các thông số tối ưu cho quá trình xử lý trên mẫu nước thải thật là pH = 6, liều PAC = 0.6 mL có thể làm giảm 66% độ màu. Bổ sung gum MHY làm chất trợ keo tụ giúp gia tăng hiệu quả xử lý màu lên 70% dù với liều lượng rất thấp là 0,5 mL. Hiệu suất xử lý khi sử dụng kết hợp PAC và polymer thấp hơn trong trường hợp sử dụng PAC và gum MHY, cụ thể khoảng 68% độ màu được xử lý ở cùng một điều kiện. Những kết quả này cho thấy tiềm năng của việc sử dụng các vật liệu gum tự nhiên nhằm thay thế cho các hợp chất hóa học trong các quá trình keo tụ tạo bông để xử lý nước thải.

Microcalorimetric measurements and contact angle measurements were conducted to study the surface chemistry of powdered minerals. The contact angle measurements were conducted on both flat and powdered talc samples, and the results were used to determine the surface free energy components using Van Oss-Chaudhury-Good (OCG) equation. It was found that the surface hydrophobicity of talc increases with decreasing particle size. At the same time, both the Lifshitz-van der Waals (gSLW) and the Lewis acid-base (gSAB) components (and, hence, the total surface free energy (gS)) decrease with decreasing particle size. The increase in the surface hydrophobicity and the decrease in surface free energy (gS) can be attributed to preferential breakage of the mineral along the basal plane, resulting in the exposure of more basal plane surfaces to the aqueous phase. Heats of immersion measurements were conducted using a flow microcalorimeter on a number of powdered talc samples. The results were then used to calculate the contact angles using a rigorous thermodynamic relation. The measured heat of immersion values in water and calculated contact angles showed that the surface hydrophobicity of talc samples increase with decreasing particle size, which agrees with the direct contact angle measurements. A relationship between advancing water contact angle qa, and the heat of immersion (-DHi) and surface free energies was established. It was found that the value of -DHi decrease as qa increases. The microcalorimetric and direct contact angle measurements showed that acid-base interactions play a crucial role in the interaction between talc and liquid. Using the Van Oss-Chaudhury-Good's surface free energy components model, various talc powders were characterized in terms of their acidic and basic properties. It was found that the magnitude of the Lewis electron donor, gS-, and the Lewis electron acceptor, gS+, components of surface free energy is directly related to the particle size. The gS- of talc surface increased with decreasing particle size, while the gS+ slightly decreased. It was also found that the Lewis electron-donor component on talc surface is much higher than the Lewis electron-acceptor component, suggesting that the basal surface of talc is basic. The heats of adsorption of butanol on various talc samples from n-heptane solution were also determined using a flow microcalorimeter. The heats of adsorption values were used to estimate % hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity and the areal ratios of the various talc samples. In addition, contact angle and heat of butanol adsorption measurements were conducted on a run-of-mine talc sample that has been ground to two different particle size fractions, i.e., d50=12.5 mm and d50=3.0 mm, respectively. The results were used to estimate the surface free energy components at the basal and edge surfaces of talc. It was found that the total surface free energy (gS) at the basal plane surface of talc is much lower than the total surface free energy at the edge surface. The results suggest also that the basal surface of talc is monopolar basic, while the edge surface is monopolar acidic. The results explain why the basicity of talc surface increases with decreasing particle size as shown in the contact angle and microcalorimetric measurements. Furthermore, the effects of the surface free energies of solids during separation from each other by flotation and selective flocculation were studied. In the present work, a kaolin clay sample from east Georgia was used for the beneficiation tests. First, the crude kaolin was subjected to flotation and selective flocculation experiments to remove discoloring impurities (i.e., anatase (TiO2) and iron oxides) and produce high-brightness clay with GE brightness higher than 90%. The results showed that a clay product with +90% brightness could be obtained with recoveries (or yields) higher than 80% using selective flocculation technique. It was also found that a proper control of surface hydrophobicity of anatase is crucially important for a successful flotation and selective flocculation process. Heats of immersion, heats of adsorption and contact angle measurements were conducted on pure anatase surface to determine the changes in the surface free energies as a function of the surfactant dosage (e.g. hydroxamate) used for the surface treatment. The results showed that the magnitude of the contact angle and, hence, the surface free energy and its components on anatase surface varies significantly with the amount of surfactant used for the surface treatment. / Ph. D.

Le but de ce travail est de fournir des informations qui peuvent aider à clarifier le mécanisme par lequel se produit la précipitation d’asphaltènes afin d'optimiser les modèles qui prédisent ce phénomène. Premièrement, la composition chimique des fractions aromatiques et saturées est analysée au regard à la stabilité des asphaltènes dans le brut. Plus précisément, la composition SARA de différents bruts vénézuéliens est corrélée au seuil de floculation des asphaltènes. Nos résultats mettent en évidence que les saturées, semblables aux résines, ont un effet significatif sur la stabilité des asphaltènes dans le brut. Deuxièmement, la teneur en Ni et V dans les asphaltènes et leurs sous fractions A1 et A2 a été déterminé par spectroscopie d'émission atomique avec plasma inductif. Les données expérimentales établissent que A1 a une concentration en V et en Ni supérieure à celle de A2, quelque soit la stabilité des bruts. Nous interprétons ces données comme l’illustration d’interactions fortes, telles que des liaisons covalentes entre pétroporphyrines et les molécules d’asphaltènes. Finalement, un dispositif haut pression est utilisé pour détecter visuellement la pression seuil de floculation d'un système modèle correspondant à une solution d’asphaltènes dans un mélange toluène/heptane/CO2. Les résultats confirment, pour ces systèmes gazés, que les augmentations de pression conduisent à une augmentation de la solubilité des asphaltènes et que pour la température il y a deux régimes opposés. Le premier correspond à une diminution de la stabilité du fluide avec l’augmentation de la température et le second, passé une valeur seuil proche de 80°C, conduit au phénomène inverse. / The purpose of this work is to provide information that can help in clarifying the mechanism by which asphaltene precipitation occurs in order to optimize the models that predict the phenomenon. The study is divided into three chapters. In the first one, the constituents of aromatic and saturate fractions of some Venezuelan crude oils were associated with the asphaltenes stability. SARA composition was correlated with asphaltene flocculation onsets and the results showed that saturates, similar to resins, have a significant effect on the flocculation process of the asphaltenes. In the second chapter, the concentration of Ni and V was determined in asphaltenes and their fractions A1 and A2. The samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and elemental combustion analysis. Results show that A1 presents higher Ni and V concentrations than A2, in both stable and unstable crude oils. These results can be explained by strong interactions, such as covalent bonds between the petroporphyrins and the asphaltene molecules. In the final section, the asphaltenes phase envelopes were obteined for a system consisting of asphaltene in a mixture toluene/heptane/CO2. The temperature ranges 10-150 °C with varying concentrations of CO2 between 10 and 20 wt%. The experimental results confirm that increase of pressure leads to increase of solubility of the asphaltenes in the medium. Also, there are two temperature regimes having opposite trends. First, the solubility of the asphaltenes increases with the temperature, then after a threshold value of 80 °C, the stability is getting worse with the temperature

<p style="text-align: justify;">U ovom radu sintetisani su hidrogelovi na osnovu akrilamida i akrilne kiseline, radikalnom polimerizacijom, primenom konvencionalne i mikrotalasne metode sinteze. Varirani su početni odnosi monomera i udeo umreživača, u cilju ispitivanja uticaja sastava reakcione sme&scaron;e na svojstva dobijenih hidrogelova. Optimizovani su uslovi sinteze u mikrotalasnom polju kao brže, jednostavnije i ekonomičnije metode. U cilju uspostavljanja korelacije između mehanizma sinteze, strukture i svojstava dobijenih hidrogelova, primenom relevantnih metoda karakterizacije, upoređena su apsorpciona, reolo&scaron;ka, toplotna i strukturna svojstva hidrogelova dobijenih dvema metodama.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Ustanovljeno je da se mikrotalasnom metodom sinteze na brži i jednostavniji način uz smanjen utro&scaron;ak vremena i energije dobijaju hidrogelovi konkurentni onima koji se dobijaju konvencionalnim zagrevanjem u vodenom rastvoru. Drugi deo doktorata obuhvata sintezu hidrofilnih polimernih mreža na osnovu natrijum karboksimetilceluloze (NaCMC) i karboksilnih kiselina, od kojih je jedna serija sintetisana prožimanjem linearnim kopolimerima akrilamida i akrilne kiseline u cilju povećanja potencijala primene u floku-lacione svrhe. Rezultati ispitivanja svojstava bubrenja, strukturnih toplotnih i flokulacionih svojstava pokazali su međusobno slaganje. Dobijeni rezultati pokazali su da od primenjenih karboksilnih kiselina, linunska kiselina u udelu od 15% u odnosu na masu NaCMC daje hidrogelove najboljih svojstava. Kombinacijom ove mreže sa kopolimerom akrilamida i akrilne kiseline u masenom odnosu 10/90, stvara se teorijska platforma za dobijanja flokulanta koji bi mogao da pokaže visoku efikasnost u preči&scaron;ćavanju vode u kojoj dominiraju pozitivno naelektrisane čestice, pravilnim izborom parametara flokulacije.</p> / <p>In this paper, hydrogels based on acrylamide and acrylic acid were synthesized using conventional and microwave synthetic methods via free-radical polymerization. The initial monomers ratio and amount of crosslinking agent were varied in order to investigate the effect of the composition of the reaction mixture on the properties of the obtained hydrogels. The conditions of synthesis in the microwave field as faster simpler and more economical method have been optimized. In order to establish a correlation between the mechanism of synthesis, structure and properties of the obtained hydrogels using the relevant methods of characterization, the absorption, rheological, thermal and structural properties of the hydrogels obtained by the two methods were compared. It has been found that the microwave synthesis is a faster and simpler method, which enables reduced consumption of time and energy and produces hydrogels competitive to those ones obtained by conventional heating in aqueous solution. The second part of the thesis includes the synthesis of hydrophilic polymer networks based on sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) and carboxylic acids, whereby one series is synthesized by interpenetration of the network using the linear acrylamide and acrylic acid copolymers in order to increase the potential application of hydrogels for flocculation purposes. The results of measurements of swelling, structural, thermal and flocculation properites have shown mutual agreement. The obtained results have shown that among applied carboxylic acids, citric acid in the amount of 15% per mass of NaCMC, has given the hydrogels with the best properties. The Combination of this network with a copolymer of acrylamide and acrylic acid in a mass ratio of 10/90 has created a theoretical platform for the production of flocculant which could show high efficacy in purifying of water dominated by positively charged particles.</p>

A study was conducted to evaluate the properties and processes influencing the rate and magnitude of volume decrease and strength gain for oil sand fine tailings resulting from a change in bitumen extraction process (caustic versus non-caustic) and the effect of adding a coagulant to caustic fine tailings. Laboratory flume deposition tests were carried out with the objective to hydraulically deposit oil sand tailings and compare the effects of extraction processes on the nature of beach deposits in terms of geometry, particle size distribution, and density. A good correlation exists between flume deposition tests results using oil sand tailings and the various other tailings materials. These comparisons show the reliability and effectiveness of flume deposition tests in terms of establishing general relationships and can serve as a guide to predict beach slopes. Fine tailings were collected from the various flume tests and a comprehensive description of physical and chemical characteristics of the different fine tailings was carried out. The characteristics of the fine tailings is presented in terms of index properties, mineralogy, specific surface area, water chemistry, liquid limits, particle size distribution and structure. The influence of these fundamental properties on the compressibility, hydraulic conductivity and shear strength properties of the fine tailings was assessed. Fourteen two meter and one meter high standpipe tests were instrumented to monitor the rate and magnitude of self-weight consolidation of the different fine tailings materials. Consolidation tests using slurry consolidometers were carried out to determine consolidation properties, namely compressibility and hydraulic conductivity, as well as the effect of adding a coagulant (calcium sulphate [CaSO4]) to caustic fine tailings. The thixotropic strength of the fine tailings was examined by measuring shear strength over time using a vane shear apparatus. A difference in water chemistry during bitumen extraction was concluded to be the cause of substantial differences in particle size distributions and degree of dispersion of the comparable caustic and non-caustic fine tailings. The degree of dispersion was consistent with predictions for dispersed clays established by the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) values for these materials. The biggest advantage of non-caustic fine tailings and treating caustic fine tailings with coagulant is an increased initial settlement rate and slightly increased hydraulic conductivity at higher void ratios. Thereafter, compressibility and hydraulic conductivity are governed by effective stress. The chemical characteristics of fine tailings (water chemistry, degree of dispersion) do not have a significant impact on their compressibility behaviour and have only a small influence at high void ratio (low effective stress). Fine tailings from a caustic based extraction process had relatively higher shear strengths than comparable non-caustic fine tailings at equivalent void ratios. However, shear strength differences were small and the overall impact on consolidation behaviour, which also depends on compressibility and hydraulic conductivity, is not expected to be significant.

No description available.

The Ceratium species occurring in the Vaal River since 2000, was identified as Ceratium hirundinella (O.F. Müller) Dujardin as proposed by Van Ginkel et al (2001). Ceratium hirundinella is known to cause problems in drinking water purification and has been penetrating into the final drinking water of Rand Water since 2006. Ceratium hirundinella is associated with many other water purification problems such as disrupting of the coagulation and flocculation processes, blocking of sand filters and algal penetration into the drinking water. Ceratium hirundinella also produce fishy taste and odorous compounds and causes discolouration of the water. The aims of this study were to determine the main environmental factors which are associated with the bloom formation of C. hirundinella in the source water and to investigate the influence of C. hirundinella on the production of potable water. In order to optimise treatment processes and resolve problems associated with high C. hirundinella concentrations during the production of potable water, jar testing and chlorine exposure experiments were performed. Multivariate statistical analyses were performed to determine the main environmental variables behind C. hirundinella blooms. Ten years data (2000 - 2009) from the sampling point C–VRB5T in the Vaal River, (5 km upstream from the Barrage weir) were used for this investigation, because C. hirundinella occurred there frequently during the ten year period. In this study, it was found that C. hirundinella was favoured by high pH, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), orthophoshapte (PO4), and silica concentrations, as well as low turbidity and low dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations. No correlation was found between C. hirundinella and temperature, suggesting that this alga does not occur during periods of extreme warm or extreme cold conditions, but most probably during autumn and spring. The results of the multivariate statistical analysis performed with historical data from Vaalkop dam, indicate that the dinoflagellate C. hirundinella seems to be favoured by low temperature and turbidity, and high DIN, Fe, Methyl–orange alkalinity, Cd, PO4, Conductivity, pH, hardness and SO4 concentrations. In order to optimise treatment processes such as coagulation, flocculation and sedimentation, jar testing experiments were performed to investigate different coagulant chemicals namely: cationic poly–electrolyte only, cationic poly–electrolyte in combination with slaked lime (CaO) and CaO in combination with activated silica. Water from four different sampling localities were chosen to perform the different jar testing experiments: 1) sampling point M–FOREBAY (in the Forebay, connecting the canal to the Zuikerbosch Purification plant) near Vereeniging due to its proximity to the Zuikerbosch treatment plant, 2) M–CANAL_VD (upstream from the inflow of the recovered water from Panfontein) to determine the influence of (if any) the recovered water from Panfontein on Forebay source water, 3) source water from Vaalkop Dam (M–RAW_VAALKOP) and 4) source water from Rietvlei Dam (water from both Vaalkop and Rietvlei Dams contained high concentrations of C. hirundinella at that time of sampling) to determine which coagulant chemical is the most effective in removing high concentrations of C. hirundinella cells during the production of drinking water. The jar testing experiments with Vaalkop Dam and Rietvlei Dam source water (rich with C. hirundinella) indicated that using cationic poly–electrolyte alone did not remove high concentrations of C. hirundinella efficiently. However, when CaO (in combination with cationic poly–electrolyte or activated silica) were dosed to Vaalkop Dam source water a significant decrease of C. hirundinella concentration was observed. This indicates that the C. hirundinella cells were “shocked or stressed” when exposed to the high pH of the CaO, rendering it immobile and thereby enhancing the coagulation and flocculation process. However, when 10 mg/L CaO in combination with poly–electrolyte was dosed to Rietvlei Dam source water the turbidity and chlorophyll–665 results indicated that this coagulant chemical procedure was ineffective in removing algal material from the source water. The jar testing experiments using the cationic poly–electrolyte alone or cationic poly–electrolyte in combination with CaO on M–FOREBAY and M–CANAL_VD source water, showed a decrease in turbidity, chlorophyll–665 concentration, and total algal biomass, with an increase of coagulant chemical. When CaO in combination with activated silica was dosed, the inherent turbidity of the lime increased the turbidity of the Vaalkop Dam, M–FOREBAY and M–CANAL_VD source water to such an extent that it affected coagulation negatively, resulting in high turbidity values in the supernatant. Regardless of the turbidity values, the chlorophyll–665 concentration and total algal biomass (C. hirundinella specifically in Vaalkop Dam source water) decreased significantly when CaO was dosed in combination with activated silica. Therefore it was concluded that a cationic poly–electrolyte alone is a good coagulant chemical for the removal of turbidity, but when high algal biomass occur in the source water it is essential to add CaO to “stress” or “shock” the algae for the effective removal thereof. However, when CaO in combination with activated silica was dosed to Rietvlei Dam source water a decrease in turbidity and chlorophyll–665 concentration was found with an increasing coagulant chemical concentration. These results confirm the fact that coagulant chemicals may perform differently during different periods of the year when water chemistry changes and that certain coagulant chemicals may never be suitable to use for certain source waters. For the effective removal of algae during water purification, it is recommended that cationic poly–electrolyte in combination with CaO are used as coagulant chemical at the Zuikerbosch Water Purification Plant. Turbidity is not a good indication of algal removal efficiency during jar testing experiments. If problems with high algal concentrations in the source water are experienced it is advisable to also determine the chlorophyll–665 concentrations of the supernatant water during the regular jar testing experiments, since it will give a better indication of algal removal. Chlorine exposure experiments were performed on water from Vaalkop Dam (M–RAW_VAALKOP) and Rietvlei Dam source water, to determine the possibility of implementing pre– or intermediate chlorination with the aim to render the cells immobile for more effective coagulation. The chlorine exposure experiments with Vaalkop Dam and Rietvlei Dam source water showed similar results. The chlorine concentration to be dosed as part of pre– or intermediate chlorination will differ for each type of source water as the chemical and biological composition of each water body are unique. When the effect of chlorine on the freshwater dinoflagellate C. hirundinella was investigated, it was found that the effective chlorine concentration where 50 % of Ceratium cells were rendered immobile (EC50) was approximately 1.16 mg/L for Vaalkop Dam source water. For the source water sampled from Rietvlei Dam, it was found that the EC50 was at approximately 0.87 mg/L. Results of analyses to determine the organic compounds in the water after chlorination revealed that an increase in chlorine concentration resulted in increase in total organic carbon concentration (TOC), as well as a slight increase in MIB and trihalomethanes (CHCl3). Pre– or intermediate chlorination seem to be an effective treatment option for the dinoflagellate C. hirundinella to be rendered immobile and thereby assisting in its coagulation process. The use of pre– or intermediate chlorination to effectively treat source waters containing high concentrations of C. hirundinella is a viable option to consider. However, the organic compounds in the water should be monitored and the EC50 value for each source water composition should be determined carefully as to restrict cell lysis and subsequent release of organic compounds into the water. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Environmental Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

The Ceratium species occurring in the Vaal River since 2000, was identified as Ceratium hirundinella (O.F. Müller) Dujardin as proposed by Van Ginkel et al (2001). Ceratium hirundinella is known to cause problems in drinking water purification and has been penetrating into the final drinking water of Rand Water since 2006. Ceratium hirundinella is associated with many other water purification problems such as disrupting of the coagulation and flocculation processes, blocking of sand filters and algal penetration into the drinking water. Ceratium hirundinella also produce fishy taste and odorous compounds and causes discolouration of the water. The aims of this study were to determine the main environmental factors which are associated with the bloom formation of C. hirundinella in the source water and to investigate the influence of C. hirundinella on the production of potable water. In order to optimise treatment processes and resolve problems associated with high C. hirundinella concentrations during the production of potable water, jar testing and chlorine exposure experiments were performed. Multivariate statistical analyses were performed to determine the main environmental variables behind C. hirundinella blooms. Ten years data (2000 - 2009) from the sampling point C–VRB5T in the Vaal River, (5 km upstream from the Barrage weir) were used for this investigation, because C. hirundinella occurred there frequently during the ten year period. In this study, it was found that C. hirundinella was favoured by high pH, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), orthophoshapte (PO4), and silica concentrations, as well as low turbidity and low dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations. No correlation was found between C. hirundinella and temperature, suggesting that this alga does not occur during periods of extreme warm or extreme cold conditions, but most probably during autumn and spring. The results of the multivariate statistical analysis performed with historical data from Vaalkop dam, indicate that the dinoflagellate C. hirundinella seems to be favoured by low temperature and turbidity, and high DIN, Fe, Methyl–orange alkalinity, Cd, PO4, Conductivity, pH, hardness and SO4 concentrations. In order to optimise treatment processes such as coagulation, flocculation and sedimentation, jar testing experiments were performed to investigate different coagulant chemicals namely: cationic poly–electrolyte only, cationic poly–electrolyte in combination with slaked lime (CaO) and CaO in combination with activated silica. Water from four different sampling localities were chosen to perform the different jar testing experiments: 1) sampling point M–FOREBAY (in the Forebay, connecting the canal to the Zuikerbosch Purification plant) near Vereeniging due to its proximity to the Zuikerbosch treatment plant, 2) M–CANAL_VD (upstream from the inflow of the recovered water from Panfontein) to determine the influence of (if any) the recovered water from Panfontein on Forebay source water, 3) source water from Vaalkop Dam (M–RAW_VAALKOP) and 4) source water from Rietvlei Dam (water from both Vaalkop and Rietvlei Dams contained high concentrations of C. hirundinella at that time of sampling) to determine which coagulant chemical is the most effective in removing high concentrations of C. hirundinella cells during the production of drinking water. The jar testing experiments with Vaalkop Dam and Rietvlei Dam source water (rich with C. hirundinella) indicated that using cationic poly–electrolyte alone did not remove high concentrations of C. hirundinella efficiently. However, when CaO (in combination with cationic poly–electrolyte or activated silica) were dosed to Vaalkop Dam source water a significant decrease of C. hirundinella concentration was observed. This indicates that the C. hirundinella cells were “shocked or stressed” when exposed to the high pH of the CaO, rendering it immobile and thereby enhancing the coagulation and flocculation process. However, when 10 mg/L CaO in combination with poly–electrolyte was dosed to Rietvlei Dam source water the turbidity and chlorophyll–665 results indicated that this coagulant chemical procedure was ineffective in removing algal material from the source water. The jar testing experiments using the cationic poly–electrolyte alone or cationic poly–electrolyte in combination with CaO on M–FOREBAY and M–CANAL_VD source water, showed a decrease in turbidity, chlorophyll–665 concentration, and total algal biomass, with an increase of coagulant chemical. When CaO in combination with activated silica was dosed, the inherent turbidity of the lime increased the turbidity of the Vaalkop Dam, M–FOREBAY and M–CANAL_VD source water to such an extent that it affected coagulation negatively, resulting in high turbidity values in the supernatant. Regardless of the turbidity values, the chlorophyll–665 concentration and total algal biomass (C. hirundinella specifically in Vaalkop Dam source water) decreased significantly when CaO was dosed in combination with activated silica. Therefore it was concluded that a cationic poly–electrolyte alone is a good coagulant chemical for the removal of turbidity, but when high algal biomass occur in the source water it is essential to add CaO to “stress” or “shock” the algae for the effective removal thereof. However, when CaO in combination with activated silica was dosed to Rietvlei Dam source water a decrease in turbidity and chlorophyll–665 concentration was found with an increasing coagulant chemical concentration. These results confirm the fact that coagulant chemicals may perform differently during different periods of the year when water chemistry changes and that certain coagulant chemicals may never be suitable to use for certain source waters. For the effective removal of algae during water purification, it is recommended that cationic poly–electrolyte in combination with CaO are used as coagulant chemical at the Zuikerbosch Water Purification Plant. Turbidity is not a good indication of algal removal efficiency during jar testing experiments. If problems with high algal concentrations in the source water are experienced it is advisable to also determine the chlorophyll–665 concentrations of the supernatant water during the regular jar testing experiments, since it will give a better indication of algal removal. Chlorine exposure experiments were performed on water from Vaalkop Dam (M–RAW_VAALKOP) and Rietvlei Dam source water, to determine the possibility of implementing pre– or intermediate chlorination with the aim to render the cells immobile for more effective coagulation. The chlorine exposure experiments with Vaalkop Dam and Rietvlei Dam source water showed similar results. The chlorine concentration to be dosed as part of pre– or intermediate chlorination will differ for each type of source water as the chemical and biological composition of each water body are unique. When the effect of chlorine on the freshwater dinoflagellate C. hirundinella was investigated, it was found that the effective chlorine concentration where 50 % of Ceratium cells were rendered immobile (EC50) was approximately 1.16 mg/L for Vaalkop Dam source water. For the source water sampled from Rietvlei Dam, it was found that the EC50 was at approximately 0.87 mg/L. Results of analyses to determine the organic compounds in the water after chlorination revealed that an increase in chlorine concentration resulted in increase in total organic carbon concentration (TOC), as well as a slight increase in MIB and trihalomethanes (CHCl3). Pre– or intermediate chlorination seem to be an effective treatment option for the dinoflagellate C. hirundinella to be rendered immobile and thereby assisting in its coagulation process. The use of pre– or intermediate chlorination to effectively treat source waters containing high concentrations of C. hirundinella is a viable option to consider. However, the organic compounds in the water should be monitored and the EC50 value for each source water composition should be determined carefully as to restrict cell lysis and subsequent release of organic compounds into the water. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Environmental Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

The provision of clean drinking water typically involves treatment processes to remove contaminants. The conventional process involves coagulation with hydrolysing metal salts, typically of aluminium (‘alum’) or trivalent iron (‘ferric’). Along with the product water this also produces a waste by-product, or sludge. The fact of increasing sludge production — due to higher levels of treatment and greater volume of water supply — conflicts with modern demands for environmental best practice, leading to higher financial costs. A further issue is the significant quantity of water that is held up in the sludge, and wasted. / One means of dealing with these problems is to dewater the sludge further. This reduces the volume of waste to be disposed of. The consistency is also improved (e.g. for the purpose of landfilling). And a significant amount of water can be recovered. The efficiency, and efficacy, of this process depends on the dewaterability of the sludge.In fact, good dewaterability is vital to the operation of conventional drinking water treatment plants (WTP’s). The usual process of separating the particulates, formed from a blend of contaminants and coagulated precipitate, relies on ‘clarification’ and ‘thickening’, which are essentially settling operations of solid–liquid separation.WTP operators — and researchers — do attempt to measure sludge dewaterability, but usually rely on empirical characterisation techniques that do not tell the full story and can even mislead. Understanding of the physical and chemical nature of the sludge is also surprisingly rudimentary, considering the long history of these processes. / The present work begins by reviewing the current state of knowledge on raw water and sludge composition, with special focus on solid aluminium and iron phases and on fractal aggregate structure. Next the theory of dewatering is examined, with the adopted phenomenological theory contrasted with empirical techniques and other theories.The foundation for subsequent analyses is laid by experimental work which establishes the solid phase density of WTP sludges. Additionally, alum sludges are found to contain pseudoböhmite, while 2-line ferrihydrite and goethite are identified in ferric sludges. / A key hypothesis is that dewaterability is partly determined by the treatment conditions. To investigate this, numerous WTP sludges were studied that had been generated under diverse conditions: some plant samples were obtained, and the remainder were generated in the laboratory (results were consistent). Dewaterability was characterised for each sludge in concentration ranges relevant to settling, centrifugation and filtration using models developed by LANDMAN and WHITE inter alia; it is expressed in terms of both equilibrium and kinetic parameters, py(φ) and R(φ) respectively.This work confirmed that dewaterability is significantly influenced by treatment conditions.The strongest correlations were observed when varying coagulation pH and coagulant dose. At high doses precipitated coagulant controls the sludge behaviour, and dewaterability is poor. Dewaterability deteriorates as pH is increased for high-dose alum sludges; other sludges are less sensitive to pH. These findings can be linked to the faster coagulation dynamics prevailing at high coagulant and alkali dose.Alum and ferric sludges in general had comparable dewaterabilities, and the characteristics of a magnesium sludge were similar too.Small effects on dewaterability were observed in response to variations in raw water organic content and shearing. Polymer flocculation and conditioning appeared mainly to affect dewaterability at low sludge concentrations. Ageing did not produce clear changes in dewaterability.Dense, compact particles are known to dewater better than ‘fluffy’ aggregates or flocs usually encountered in drinking water treatment. This explains the superior dewaterability of a sludge containing powdered activated carbon (PAC). Even greater improvements were observed following a cycle of sludge freezing and thawing for a wide range of WTP sludges. / Further aspects considered in the present work include deviations from simplifying assumptions that are usually made. Specifically: investigation of long-time dewatering behaviour, wall effects, non-isotropic stresses, and reversibility of dewatering (or ‘elasticity’).Several other results and conclusions, of both theoretical and experimental nature, are presented on topics of subsidiary or peripheral interest that are nonetheless important for establishing a reliable basis for research in this area. / This work has proposed links between industrial drinking water coagulation conditions, sludge dewaterability from settling to filtration, and the microstructure of the aggregates making up that sludge. This information can be used when considering the operation or design of a WTP in order to optimise sludge dewaterability, within the constraints of producing drinking water of acceptable quality.