The Effect of Alum as Filter Conditioner on the Performance of Conventional Rapid Sand Filter

Filtration is a one of the most important and critical unit process followed worldwide which removes dirt particles from water. As the water quality standards are changing and becoming more stringent, the improvement in the performance of existing rapid sand filters is unavoidable. The use of filter conditioning to improve filter performance is a relatively recent development in drinking water treatment. Different advantages claimed by such use of filter aid includes lessening ripening period, superior turbidity removal and relatively stable filtrate quality. It also has limitations like reduction in filter run and comparatively higher back washing requirement. To assess the suitability of such method,under the existing conditions is of enormous importance.12 Current research explains the impact of filter media conditioning on the overall performance of conventional rapid sand filter. The study was carried out by installing a pilot plant at Ichalkaranji municipal water treatment plant. Different doses of alum as filter conditioner were tested and the comparison was made with the performance of conventional filter without filter aid. The parameters for evaluation were turbidity removal, filter run and backwash requirements. The dose of alum as filter conditioner was given as slug dose. The effect of zeta (ζ) potential change was observed to be one of the major reasons of the performance improvement, accelerating the surface removal since initial phase.