What is a jar test?

A jar test is a small scale simulation of the process in a

water treatment plant.
Why jar test?

We may want to see how different chemicals will

perform in that water treatment system

We are always trying to optimize our chemical
dosages
Benefits of jar testing

Better finished water quality

Longer filter runs

Overall prolonged filter life

Lower chemical costs
Getting started

Jar testing equipment

Formulas & conversions

Observe plant conditions

Preparing stock solutions

Preparing worksheet to record results
Equipment needed

Personal protective equipment

A paddle stirrer ( 4 or 6 paddles)

1L or 2L graduated beakers

10 mL graduated pipets

1000 mL graduated cylinders

Weighing scale

Stop watch

MSDS
Formulas & conversions

Be able to calculate;

Chemical dosages

Flow rates

Volumes

Detention times

Understand metric conversions & be able to do
conversions from metric to imperial to U.S & vice
versa
Observe plant conditions

Where are chemicals added?
Observe plant conditions

What are the speeds of the flocculators?

What are the shapes of the floculators?
Observe plant conditions

What is the detention time of each stage of the
treatment system?

DT = volume/flow rate
Detention time

A rectangular floc chamber is measured 1 meter by 1.5
meters & 2 meters deep

The raw water flow rate is 10 L/sec

What is the detention time in minutes?
DT = volume/flow rate
Volume =LxWxH
V= 1m X 1.5m X 2m = 3m = 3000L
Flow rate = 10 L/sec X 60 sec/min = 600 L/min
DT = 3000L/600L/min = 5 minutes
Stock solution preparation

Polymer Stock solution

A typical polymer stock solution can be prepared by
mixing 1.0 grams of dry poly with 1000mL of distilled
water. This is a 0.1% strength solution

Polymer solutions should be mixed using paddles from
jar tester or magnetic stirrer

Polymer stock solutions must be mixed thoroughly

1000 mL of water = 1000 g of water

1 g(polymer)/1000g = 0.001 = 0.1% solution strength

Stock solution preparation

Aluminum sulphate stock solution

Jar tester can be used to mix solution

These solutions need to mix thoroughly

1% stock solution can be prepared by adding 15.5 mL of
liquid aluminum sulphate to 1000 mL of distilled water

15.5 mL (liquid alum) X 1.33 g/mL (SG)X 0.485 (48.5%) = 10 g

1000 mL of water = 1000 g

10g/1000g = 0.01 = 1% solution strength

Stock solution preparation

Potassium permanganate solution

(Strong Stock Solution)
5 grams potassium permanganate dissolved in 500 mL
distilled water.

(Test Stock Solution)
1 mL strong stock solution thoroughly mixed in 100 mL
distilled water.

5 00 mL of water = 500g
5g/500g = 0.01 = 1%
1 mL X 0.01 = 0.01 mL/100 mL =0.0001 =
0.01% solution strength
Worksheet preparation

A form for recording jar test results is important &
should include;

Raw water conditions

Record of jar testing procedures

Have a record kept for each jar
Worksheet preparation

Raw water parameters recorded at the beginning of a
jar test should depend on the purpose of the jar test.
Some parameters that should be tested can include;

Turbidity

pH

Color

Conductivity

Alkalinity

Total Iron

Total Manganese
Worksheet Preparation

Each jar is usually set at different dosage rates

Accurate notes regarding chemical dosages is key in
performing a good jar test

Jar mL mg/L mL mg/L Turb

poly poly alum alum (NTU)
1 0.25 0.5 4 80
2 0.25 0.5 5 100
3 0.25 0.5 6 120
4 0.25 0.5 7 140
Worksheet preparation

Characteristics (floc or color)of jars during jar test
should be recorded

Parameters can be tested after a jar test & should be the
same parameters that were tested on the raw water
Worksheet Preparation

Record jar test procedures. This should include;

Record the time that chemicals are added

Record the speed of the flocculators

Record the time each flocculator changes speeds

Record the settling time
Lets do a jar test

Questions
Jar test procedure

All jars during jar test should be treated the same

The only difference would be the chemical dosage
Jar test results

Some of the things we would be assessing are;

Floc formation

Settled floc

Maybe same floc formation occurs at lower dosage rates

Tested parameters

Turbidity

Color

Aluminum content
Applying results

Translating results from jar test to treatment plant

Dosage calculations in treatment plant must be
accurate

Chemical dosage calculations should be done daily
Questions