Removal of natural organic matter in a typical south-China source water during enhanced coagulation with IPF-PACl

Systematic investigation on enhancing removal of natural organic matter (NOM) using inorganic polymer flocculant (IPF), polyaluminum chloride (PACl) and polyacrylamide (PAM) was performed in a typical south-China source water. Enhanced coagulation and applying polymer flocculant-aid were compared through jar tests and pilot tests. Raw water and settled water were characterized and fractionated by resin adsorption. The results show that DOC composes major part of TOC. The DOC distribution keeps relatively stable all around the year with typical high amounts of the hydrophilic matter around 50%. The distribution between HoB, HoA and HoN varies and undergoes fluctuation with the year round. During the summer season, the HoN becomes gradually the major part in hydrophobic parts. PACI with the species being tailor-made shows little pH effect during coagulation. The enhanced coagulation dosage for PACI could be 4.5 mg/L for the typical source water. The highest TOC removal achieved 31%. To be economically, 3 mg/L dose is the optimum dosage. Although hydrophilic fractions of NOM of both treatment strategies are removed about 30%, NOM causing UV254. absorbance were well removed(about 90%). Hydrophobic bases and acids fractions are much more removed under enhanced conditions. The hydrophilic fraction could be better removed using PAM, the polymer coagulant aid.