American Water Works ; Association

ProceduresManual forPolymer Selectionin Water TreatmentPlants

Subject Area: Water Treatment

PROCEDURES MANUAL FOR POLYMER SELECTION IN WATER TREATMENT PLANTS

Prepared by:

Steven K. Dentel Beth M. Gucciardi

Todd A. Sober Prasanna V. Shetty

andJohn J. Resta

Department of Civil EngineeringUniversity of Delaware

Newark, DE 19716

Prepared for:

AWWA Research Foundation6666 West Quincy Avenue

Denver, CO 80235

October 1989

Published by the AWWA Research Foundation and the American Water Works Association

DISCLAIMER

This study was funded by the American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AWWARF). AWWARF assumes no responsibility for the content of the research study reported in this publication, or for the opinions or statements of fact expressed in the report. The mention of tradenames for commercial products does not represent or imply the approval or endorsement of AWWARF. This report is presented solely for informational purposes.

Although the research described in this document has been funded in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency through a Cooperative Agreement, CR-811335-01, to AWWARF, it has not been subjected to Agency review and therefore does not necessarily reflect the views of the Agency and no official endorsement should be inferred.

Copyright 1989by

AWWA Research FoundationAmerican Water Works Association

Printed in U.S.

ISBN 0-89867-481-6

11

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

TABLES .............................. v

FIGURES ............................. vii

FOREWORD ............................ ix

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ......................... x

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................ xi

I. INTRODUCTIONA. Purpose of this Manual ................... 1B. Polymer Types, Terminology, and Testing ........... 3C. Improving Water Quality with Organic Polymers ........ 14D. Possible Drawbacks to Polymers ............... 16E. Effect of Chemical Additives on Sludge Handling Processes . . 17F. References. ......................... 19

II. HOW TO USE THIS MANUALA. Examining the Plant's Treatment Processes .......... 21B. Locating Potential Suppliers and Products .......... 24C. Assistance from Polymer Suppliers .............. 26D. Preparing to Evaluate the Products ............. 27E. The Module Format: Determining Modules to Use ....... 28F. Quality Control and Analysis of Results ........... 36G. References. ......................... 38

III. MODULES FOR SPECIFIC SELECTION PROCEDURESA. Preparation of Polymer Solutions .............. 39B. Rapid Screening Procedure for Flocculants .......... 59C. The Jar Test ........................ 62D. Turbidity Measurement for Jar Test Assessment ........ 87E. Particle Size Analysis for Jar Test Assessment ....... 91F. Paper Filter Test ...................... 95G. Analytical Methods for Filter Tests ............. 119H. Determination of Sludge Volume Following Jar Tests ..... 125I. Preparation of Sludge Samples ................ 131J. Time to Filter Test ..................... 135K. The Capillary Suction Time Test ............... 145L. Sludge Jar Test ....................... 155M. Charge Density Determination. ................ 159N. Viscosity and Molecular Weight Determination. ........ 181

IV. USING MODULE RESULTS FOR CHEMICAL AID SELECTIONA. Results Evaluation ..................... 203B. Cost Estimating ....................... 204

111

LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

1 Descriptions of Specific Polymers ............ 7

2 Polymeric Structures and Chemical Abstract ServiceNumbers ....................... 9

3 General Description of Polymers by UsageApplication Type .................. 10

4 Stock Solution Preparation. Final Volume: 1 LStock Solution .................. .43

5 Working Solution Preparation. Final Volume: 200mL Working Solution ................ .43

6 Jar Test Solution Preparation. Final Volume: 2 LSolution for Jar Testing ............. .44

7 Jar Test Solution Preparation. Final Volume: 1 LSolution for Jar Testing ............. .44

8 Example Tabulation of Jar Test Results VaryingFlocculant Dose ................... 75

9 Example Tabulation of Jar Test Results Varying Coagulant Dose with Constant Dose of Flocculant ..................... 77

10 Blank Data Sheet for Tabulation of Jar TestResults When Varying Flocculant Dose withConstant Coagulant Dose .............. .81

11 Blank Data Sheet for Tabulation of Jar Test Results When Varying Coagulant Dose with Constant Dose of Flocculant ............. 82

12 Example Tabulation of Paper Filter Test ResultsVarying Filtration Aid Dose ............ 105

13 Blank Data Sheet for Tabulation of Paper FilterTest Results When Varying Filtration Aid Dose . . . 107

14 Example of Tabulation of Paper Filter Test Results When Varying Flocculant Dosage in Preceding Jar Tests ..................... 113

15 Blank Data Sheet for Tabulation of Paper FilterTest Results When Varying Flocculant Dosage in Preceding Jar Tests ................ 116

16 Suggested Sludge Volume Test Data Recording Sheet . . . 12817 Suggested Time to Filter Test Data Recording Sheet . . . 14018 Suggested Capillary Suction Time Test Data

Recording Sheet .................. 149

LIST OF TABLES (Cent.)

19 Example Capillary Suction Time Test Data RecordingSheet ....................... 150

20 Data Sheet for Standardization of PVSK Titrant .... 16621 Sample Data Sheet for Standardization of PVSK

Titrant ...................... 16722 Data Sheet for Titration of Cationic

Polyelectrolyte with Standardized PVSK Titrant . . . 17223 Sample Data Sheet for Titration of Cationic

Polyelectrolyte with Standardized PVSK Titrant . . . 17324 Data Sheet for Back-Titration of Anionic

Polyelectrolyte with Standardized PVSK Titrant . . . 17725 Sample Data Sheet for Back-Titration of Anionic

Polyelectrolyte with Standardized PVSK Titrant . . . 17826 Data Sheet for Determining the Average Pure

Solvent Flow Time, to ............... 18827 Data Sheet for Reduced Viscosity Determination. .... 19028 Sample Data Sheet for Reduced Viscosity Determination. . . 19529 Chemical Cost Estimating Worksheet .......... 20730 Chemical Cost Estimating Example Worksheet. ...... 212

VI

LIST OF FIGURES

1 Points in Water Treatment for Addition ofCoagulants, Flocculants, Filtration Aids, andSludge Conditioning Aids ............. 4

2 Typical Water Treatment Process Diagram, and the Modules Which Simulate Chemical Effects on These Processes .................. 30

3 Procedure for the Selection of Coagulants orFlocculants .................... 33

4 Procedure for the Selection of Filtration Aids .... 345 Procedures for Evaluating the Effect of

Coagulants, Flocculants, or Sludge Conditioning Aids on Sludge Properties ...... 35

6 Dimensions of 2-L "Square" Jar ............ 647 Example of Graphed Results of Jar Tests Varying

Flocculant Dose .................. 768 Example of Graphed Results of Jar Tests Varying

Coagulant Dose with Constant Dose of Flocculant .................... 78

9 Example of Graphed Results of Multiple Jar Tests with Flocculant Dose Varied in Each Set, and Coagulant Dose Varied Between Sets ........ 79

10 Blank Graph for Plotting Jar Test Results When Varying Flocculant Dose with Constant Coagulant Dose .................. 83

11 Blank Graph for PlottingsJar Test Results WhenVarying Coagulant DoseNwith Constant Dose ofFlocculant .................... 84

12 Paper Filter Test Assembly .............. 10013 Example of Graphed Results of Paper Filter Tests

with Filtration Aid Dose Varied ......... 10614 Blank Graph for Plotting Paper Filter Test Results

When Varying Filtration Aid Dose ......... 10815 Jar Type Needed for Filtration Studies Subsequent

to the Jar Test .................. 11016 Example of Graphed Results of Paper Filter Tests

Varying Flocculant Dosage in Preceding Jar Tests ....................... 114

17 Blank Graph for Plotting Paper Filter Test Results When Varying Flocculant Dosage in Preceding Jar Tests ..................... 117

vii

LIST OF FIGURES (Cont.)

Figure

18 Imhoff Cone ...................... 12619 Large Volume Time to Filter Equipment ......... 13620 Small Volume Time to Filter Equipment with Side

Arm Adapter .................... 13821 Sample Time to Filter (TTF100) Data Plot ....... 14222 Capillary Suction Time (CST) Apparatus ........ 14623 Sample Capillary Suction Time Data Plot ........ 15124 Assembled Apparatus for Titration ........... 16425 Proper Vertical Orientation of Viscometer ....... 18426 Graph Used for Determining Intrinsic Viscosity

(IV) ....................... 19327 Sample Graph Used for Determining Intrinsic

Viscosity (IV) .................. 198

viii

FOREWORD

The AWWA Research Foundation is a non-profit corporation that is dedicated to the implementation of a research effort to help local utilities respond to regulatory requirements and traditional high priority concerns of the industry. The research agenda is developed through a process of grass roots consultation with members, utility subscribers, and working professionals. Under the umbrella of a Five-Year Plan, the Research Advisory Council prioritizes the suggested projects based upon current and future needs, applicability, and past work; the recommendations are forwarded to the Board of Trustees for final selection.

This publication is a result of one of those sponsored studies and it is hoped that its findings will be applied in communities throughout the world. T