Coagulation Optimization Using UV254 Or Spectral Absorbance

Seasonal variations, heavy rainfall or accidental contamination events can change the raw water quality in ways that are hard to predict. Online sensors that continuously monitor parameters such as UV254 and turbidity are the plant operators’ best tools to determine the required coagulant dose of the plant based on the changes in raw water quality.

The benefits of optimizing the coagulation/ flocculation process is multi-faceted:

1. coagulant chemical costs are reduced,
2. sludge quality is improved while costs associated with sludge disposal are reduced
3. filter run times are extended (run-time between backwashes is longer). In addition, optimized removal of organics along with turbidity decreases the risk of exceeding disinfection by-product (DBP) limits in the treated water.