Replacing alum with a safe, easy, low-cost flocculant matters most in rural and under-served areas where conventional treatment is out of reach. This study assessed Moringa oleifera seeds (MOS) for treating urban wastewater and optimised the dose.
Moringa seed was added at quantities ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 g per 500 ml of wastewater, and turbidity, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and colour were measured to find the optimum.
Key findings
- The optimal dose was 0.3 g per 500 ml, giving the best colour and turbidity reduction.
- Maximum reductions were 87.5% turbidity, 58.8% COD and 49.8% colour.
- The nature of the dissolved organic matter notably influenced moringa’s coagulation behaviour.
Caveat: a laboratory optimisation; results depend on the wastewater’s organic-matter profile.
Summary of: (2024). “Optimization of coagulation-flocculation in urban water treatment using Moringa oleifera seeds.” Desalination and Water Treatment. DOI: 10.1016/j.dwt.2024.100707. Summarised by MORIFA; full paper via the link above.