Results and Calculations

Weight before Weight after Change in weight

drying (A) /g drying (B) /g (B-A) /g

Evaporating Dish 1
52.539 52.557 0.018
(Total Solid)

Evaporating Dish 2
33.982 35.985 0.003
(Total Dissolved Solid)

Filter Paper
1.233 1.272 0.039
(Total Suspended Solid)

Total Solid

1000 ( B A )

10

1000 ( 0.0555570.052539 )

10

0.3018 mg / L

Total Dissolved Solid

1000 ( B A )

10

1000 ( 0.0359850.033982 )

10

0.2003 mg/L

Total Suspended Solid

1
 1000 ( B A )

100

1000 ( 0.0012720.001233 )

100

0.00039 mg/L

Discussion

In this experiment, the experimental procedure is carried out to determine and analyse
the total solid, total dissolved solid and total suspended solid content in wastewater sample.
Total Solid (TS) is a measure of all suspended and dissolved solids in a water sample. Total
Suspended Solid (TSS) is the dry weight of particles trapped by a filter whereas Total
Dissolved Solid (TDS) is a measure of the combined content of all inorganic and organic
substances contained in a liquid in molecular, ionized or micro-granular suspended form.
These parameters can be used to assess the quality of wastewater after treatment.

Based on the results and calculations, total solid (TS), total dissolved solids (TDS)

and total suspended solid (TSS) in the water sample were 0.3018 mg/ L, 0.2003 mg/ L and

0.00039 mg/ L respectively. Theoretically, amount of total solid is the sum of total

dissolved solids and total suspended solid. However, in this experiment, the sum of total
dissolved solid and total suspended solid is lesser than the total solid. This may due to some
of the experimental errors encountered during the experiment.

In wastewater treatment system, the content of the total suspended solid in wastewater
need to be reduced to the required standard to ensure clean water is released back to the
environment. There are various ways that can be done to reduce the amount of total
suspended solid in wastewater. One of the most common method used in the industry is Jar
Test. It is a laboratory procedure to determine the optimum pH and the optimum coagulant
dose. A jar test can simulate the coagulation and flocculation process. Coagulation is a
process to destabilize particles through chemical reaction between coagulant and colloids and
flocculation is a mixing technique that promotes agglomeration and assists in the settling of
particles. Jar test was conducted by using a flocculator. This test can aid in troubleshooting

2
process by determining the optimum pH and coagulant dose needed in the wastewater
treatment plant.
First, filled up 6 jars with raw water sample. Adjust the pH of the samples to pH 5.5,
pH 6.0, pH 6.5, pH 7.0 and pH 7.5 respectively while mixing by using sodium hydroxide or
sulfuric acid. Same dose of coagulant was added into each jar. Each jar was then mixed
rapidly for 3 minutes to help in dispersing the coagulant throughout each container. Then,
reduce the stirring speed and continue mixing for another 15 minutes. This is to promote floc
formation by enhancing particle collisions which lead to larger flocs. The mixers were turned
off to allow flocs to settle for 30 minutes. Final residual turbidity in each jar was measured
and a graph of residual turbidity against pH was plotted. pH with the lowest residual turbidity
will be the optimum pH.
The optimum coagulant dose can be determined by adjusting the pH of the samples to
optimum pH while mixing by using sodium hydroxide or sulfuric acid. Different dose of
coagulant was added to each jar. Each jar was then mixed rapidly for 3 minutes and another
15 minutes at lower speed. Turn off the mixers and allow flocs to settle. Final residual
turbidity in each jar was measured and a graph of residual turbidity against coagulant dose
was plotted. Coagulant dose with the lowest residual turbidity will be the optimum coagulant
dose.
By doing this experiment, the optimum pH and optimum coagulant dose can be
determined. The results obtained can help to optimize the performance of the wastewater
treatment process. It can greatly reduce the content of total suspended solids in the
wastewater before releasing it to the environment.