Behaviour of Waterworks Alum Sludge for Phosphate Removal

Abstract:

In the agricultural sector, fertilizer and animal waste are main pollutants to water course. Excessive phosphorus in water bodies may increase the growth of algae and aquatic plant in a pond which leads to eutrophication phenomena. Disposal of alum sludge in landfills can lead to contaminant issues thus, researchers are searching for ways to reduce excessive disposal of waste including alum sludge in landfills. This study provides available options in disposing alum sludge. In this study, continuous column tests were conducted with different initial pH and contact initial phosphate concentrations. The Scanning Electron Microscope indicates that rough alum sludge surface will accelerate the phosphate adsorption rate. This result shows that phosphate removal rate is higher in acidic condition but lower in alkaline condition. In wastewater treatment industries, changing wastewater to pH 4 needs a large amount of chemical additive and suggests that the pH 7 ±0.5 is more suitable in wastewater applications.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 1113)
• Pages: 764-769
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.1113.764
• Online since: July 2015
• Authors: Nazirul Mubin Zahari*, Chua Kok Hua, Lariyah Mohd Sidek
• Keywords: Dried Alum Sludge, pH, Phosphate Removal, Physical Characteristic

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