Exploring the use of cactus and neem leaf powder as an alternative coagulant in treatment of wastewater

Abstract

Opuntia and Neem leaf is a natural based bio-coagulation that can be utilized in bio-coagulation process of kitchen used water collected from the college (MKCE). Opuntia (prickly pear) and neem tree leaf (Azadirachta indicia) powder are used as a Bio-coagulant. Jar test was conducted and the treated samples were evaluated for pH, turbidity, hardness. The dosage of the Bio-coagulant utilized in jar apparatus is 0.2 to 1 g/L for both neem leaf and opuntia powder. The dosage for the Bio-coagulant solution utilized is 5 to 25mL/L. When the Bio-coagulant are utilized directly turbidity was reduced to 50%. When Bio-coagulant are partially utilized with alum the efficiency is about 95% for neemleaf powder and 96% for opuntia powder. So the process reduces the consumption of chemical to 50%. Opuntia and neem could be utilized as an effective natural Bio-coagulant since it costs less when compared with chemical coagulant.