The natural organic matter (NOM) is a mixture of many organic compounds that can be dispersed in superficial water. The NOM is due to the compounds formed in the biologic degradation process of the vegetable organic matter and its interaction with the clay and the other hydrographic basin soil constituents, besides algae and other microorganism activity. Many researchers have obtained results that indicate that the coagulation/flocculation process is an effective process in the NOM reduction without committing the non-stabilization colloidal particles. So, with the intuit to guarantee a better final water quality in the water treatment plants, different studies were evaluated based on the coagulation diagram for obtaining the best concentration of the chitosan coagulant as function of the pH for the NOM removal for obtaining potable water. The data for the coagulation diagram construction will be obtained by a series of tests in a jar-test apparatus. Different concentrations of the coagulant solution (0.1% w/v of chitosan) will be studied. The pH will be varied (4.0 8.5) with sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) 25 and 50%. The rapid mixture gradient, the coagulation time, the slow mixture gradient and the flocculation time will be maintained constant during this experiment. The process efficiency will be evaluated by the color, turbidity and compounds with absorption in UV-254nm removal. The best results of removal were found for the chitosan in the concentration of 1.0mg/L and pH between 4.0-5.0, approximately.
Electrostatic and (electro-)steric stabilization of colloidal particles by natural organic matter
