ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 2

PRACTICAL REPORT

WASTEWATE R

Abstract
Wastewater contains a wide variety of contaminants such as pathogens, organic substances, inorganic substances, toxins and therefore cannot be discharged or re-use unless it has been treated to remove the contaminants. Several tests are carried out to measure the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the wastewater. A five-litre sample was provided to our group and on first look, the wastewater looked brownish, with a weak odour and on shaking the gallon, the sample remained as it is, implying that there are very little suspended solids present. Some of the tests that have been carried out in the laboratory are listed below: otal Solids Suspended Solids Settleable Solids !oncentration of "itrate !oncentration of Sulfate !oncentration of #hosphate !oncentration of Ammonia !hloride content !hemical $xygen %emand &!$%' (iological $xygen %emand &($%'

UNIVERSITY OF MAURITIUS

WASTEWATE R

Solids
All contaminants of water other than dissolved gases, contribute to the solids concentration. herefore it is an important indicator of the overall )uality and potential polluting power of the water. Solids content is also a useful parameter for the design and operation of wastewater treatment facilities. he type of solids concentration can be confusing due to the various different used. Some are summari*ed below:
Table 1: Description and Methods to determine Different Types of Solids

Solids ype Suspended Solids (SS) Dissolved Solids (DS)

%escription #articulate solids in suspension &of varying si*es' Solids in solution and fine colloidal particles that will pass through a -,.! filter paper S 3 SS 4 %S $rganic fraction of solids

+ethod ,ilter sample through -,.! filter paper and dry at /012! ,ilter out SS as above and place ,iltrate in a crucible and evaporate to dryness #lace the sample in crucible and evaporate to dryness

Total Solids (TS) Volatile Solids (VS) Settleable Solids (StS)

5eat dried solids at 1102! for 6 hours ,raction of suspended solids #lace /8 of sample in an that will settle out in 70 9rnhoff cone and allow to mins settle for 70 mins

2013

WASTEWATE R

Test 1 Suspended Solids

Introduction Suspended solids cause pollution to receiving watercourses mainly by blocking out light, which reduced or prevents primary the growth of algae, that is, primary production, which provides food and dissolved oxygen to maintain a)uatic life. 9f large )uantities of solids enter the water, they may settle and form sludge, which will cause clogging. he sludge produces chemicals, which are poisonous to a)uatic life. Aims and Objectives he aim of this experiment is to determine the amount of the suspended solids in the sample of wastewater provided. Apparatus ,iltration Apparatus Whatman -,.! filter papers Analytical (alance &weighing up to : d.p' !rucibles %rying $ven &/012!' %esiccator

Methodology /. 6. 7. :. 1. ;. <. =. >. hree already washed and dried, filter papers were weighed and placed in a plate on which was marked filter paper /, 6 and 7. 610 ml of raw wastewater was measured and kept in the measuring cylinder. he filter paper was then placed on the holder, the measured wastewater was emptied into the filter holder. he pump was switched on to apply the suction. When the wastewater has completely filtered, distilled water was added to the holder to wash the filter paper. he filter paper was then removed and placed in a crucible. he above procedures were carried out for filter paper 6 and 7. he filter papers and crucibles were placed in an oven to heat to dryness at /012! for / hour to 6 hours. After removal from the oven. he crucibles and filter paper were placed 9 a desiccator for about 60 mins and were then weighted.

UNIVERSITY OF MAURITIUS

WASTEWATE R

Precautions /. he filter paper was handled with a pair of twee*ers upon weighing due to the fact that our hands contains moisture that could have been absorbed by the filter paper and would have provided us with a higher 6. he balance was calibrated and perfectly leveled. 7. 8eaning against the table on which the balance rested caused fluctuations and we had to make sure that the balance read 0.000. :. ?se of tongs to remove crucibles from oven to hand burns. Results

2013