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Influence of the Type of Alkali on the Chemical Stabilization Process of Treated Water in Conventional Treatment Plants

10.24050/reia.v22i43.1767
Published 2025-01-21
Articles

Abstract

The low levels of alkalinity in surface supply sources, combined with the use of coagulants and disinfectants in the conventional treatment of drinking water, which consume alkalinity and reduce the pH, force adjustments in the quality of the water treated with in order to guarantee its chemical stabilization and prevent secondary contamination in the drinking water distribution system (DWDS) due corrosion or scale problems. In this study, the characteristics of different alkalis were reviewed in the literature, and the subsequently the chemical stabilization process was evaluated in jar test trials using water after disinfection, from a conventional drinking water treatment plant – WTP. Two disinfected-water quality conditions were evaluated, with initial pH of 560 and 3.98 units respectively (associated with raw water with turbidity of 30 and 200 NTU, respectively). Five alternatives were evaluated: three with simple alkalinization (Ca(OH)2, NaOH, Na2CO3) and two with double alkalinization (Ca(OH)2+NaOH and Ca(OH)2+Na2CO3). In double alkalinization, Ca(OH)2 was dosed until a pH close to 6.5-7.0 was reached, and then NaOH or Na2CO3 was subsequently added. In all cases, pH values between 7.04-8.96 were evaluated, and finally the aggressiveness indices (AI) and Langelier saturation indices (LSI) were determined. Different alkalizing alternatives were identified, each with advantages and limitations and whose selection will depend, in addition to its chemical characteristics and water quality, on aspects such as costs, ease of acquisition, preparation and dosage, type of DWDS materials, among others. The experimental evaluation showed that both Ca(OH)2 and the double alkalinization Ca(OH)2+Na2CO3 are viable for the chemical stabilization, achieving an increase in the alkalinity and buffering capacity of the water, which makes the pH be more stable in the DWDS. It is highlighted that the effectiveness of Ca(OH)2 will depend on the CaO content (>90%) and adequate homogenization of the solution during dosing. The pH adjustment should be between 8.7 to 8.9, to reduce the corrosive tendency of the water and allowing values close to 12 and 0 of the IA and ISL indices respectively.

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Authors

  • Andrea Pérez-Vidal

    Colombia

  • Héctor Mario Gutiérrez-Zapata

    Colombia

  • Luis Germán Delgado-Cabrera

    Colombia

  • Alex Javier Vidal-Guerrero

    Colombia

  • Lina María Ramírez-Medina

    Colombia

  • Christian Felipe Porras-Castro

    Colombia

  • Juan Carlos Escobar-Rivera

    Colombia

  • Juliana Ospina-Rodríguez

    Colombia

  • Juan Pablo Gutierrez-Marín

    Colombia

  • Patricia Torres-Lozada

    Colombia

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