Particle Release During the Ripening of Deep Bed Filtration

In this research, ripening of the filter bed from the standpoint of particle removal was investigated experimentally. Filtration experiments were performed with synthetic raw water (broad size distributed kaolin particles in tap water) and silica sand filter media under varied chemical and physical conditions. Detailed particle size distribution, turbidity and headloss measurements at different times throughout the initial period of filtration were obtained. The result showed polyaluminum chloride (PAC)) is a reliable coagulant for raw water pretreatment. With the use of the experimental sand filter media under optimum pretreatment and filtration condition, filter ripening was minimized and the filter produced a good quality effluent. Particle release and headloss were minimized. A complete analysis of the problem, the literature review and the objectives of this research are included in Chapters I and 2. Chapter 3 presents an ancillary study required to gain an initial understanding of filter ripening. Chapter 4 presents the experimental design, methods and material. The summary of experimental work results and data analysis is included in Chapter 5 and 6. Finally, the experimental summary and conclusions are presented in Chapter 7