11.

2 METAL SALT ADDITION

11.2.1 INTRODUCTION
Metal salts (Usually iron or aluminium) are added to the wastewater treatment process for two reasons.
Firstly iron and aluminium salts are coagulants and are commonly used for flocculation at potable water
works. This coagulating effect can significantly improve the performance of primary sedimentation tanks
at wastewater works by increasing COD and suspended solids removal from the wastewater in the
settlement process. Secondly both iron and aluminium precipitate phosphate out of solution and are
therefore commonly used in parts of the country where there is a phosphate limit on effluents discharged
to watercourse.

11.2.2 ENHANCED PRIMARY SEDIMENTATION

The addition of low dosages (typically 25 mg/l) of ferric chloride to the incoming wastewater can improve
the removal of suspended solids by primary sedimentation by about 30%. Higher dosages give
diminishing returns on suspended solids removal and add to the sludge load entering digesters. They
also add to the conductivity and TDS of the water which is also subject to limits set by DWAF for
discharge. The process is not something that should be designed into a works but can be used as a
palliative if the aerobic process of a plant is overloaded and there is spare digester or sludge handling
capacity.

11.2.3 PHOSPHATE REMOVAL

Relatively high dosages of ferric chloride, ferric sulphate, or aluminium sulphate are used to precipitate
phosphate out of wastewater effluents. This may be required when the effluent discharged from a works
has to comply with the 1 mg/l maximum level set for phosphorus in sensitive catchments. Depending on
the incoming phosphate level the dosages can be typically in the range of 150 mg/l to 200 mg/l.

In an activated sludge process the metal salt is often added to the mixed liquor where the continual
recycling of sludge containing the metal hydroxides enhances removal efficiency. This also maintains
phosphate removal for limited periods even when there are breakdowns in the dosage system.

For biological filter plants the metal salt can be added at the primary sedimentation tanks which as seen
above will enhance suspended solids removal. However there is the danger of insufficient nutrient
phosphate being available for good purification on the filter, although successful operation in this mode
has been reported. The alternative is to add the salt after the biological filters and remove the floc in the
humus tanks.

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