Comparative Evaluation of Moringa Oleifera, Vicia Faba, and Abelmoschus Esculentus as Natural Coagulants for Turbidity Removal in Water Treatment

Abstract

This study researched the use of plant-based coagulants instead of chemical coagulants. The research methodology relies on removing turbidity with natural additives. The results of the current study showed the possibility of replacing chemical coagulants with natural ones. The benefit of that in removing turbidity is that they are safer ad lower in cost, water sample was taken from river, the jar test was used to show the percentage of removal. The results showed the possibility of removing turbidity by up to 80% using the Moringa oleifera and Vicia faba plants, at a dose of 100 mg/L, and the sedimentation time was studied, which showed that 50% of the turbidity was removed within the first 5 minutes using natural coagulation. However, the Vicia faba showed better results than Moringa oleifera in the initial sedimentation of turbidity removed, these results could be due to the high percentage of protein found in Vicia faba. The results of treatment using Abelmoschus esculentus plant were promising, where 78% of the turbidity was removed at a dose of 100 mg/L, however it requires a longer sedimentation time. The results of this study are promising results that gives hope to using natural coagulation instead of chemical coagulation which reduces the negative side effects.