Experimental Evaluation of Tubular Flocculator Implemented in the Field for Drinking Water Supply: Application in the Developing World

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency a large-scale Horizontal Tubular Flocculator (HTF) as an easy-to-implement technology for potable water provision compared traditional baffle flocculator. HTF built with 4-inch diameter PVC pipe and coupled sedimentation filtration process. Experimental tests were performed using lengths 68.4 m 97.6 HTF. These combined raw flow rates 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2 L/s five turbidity ranges <10 NTU, 10–20 21–50 51–100 >100 giving total 100 one year. Jar determine optimal dose aluminum sulfate used coagulant. Hydraulic characteristics such time retention (TR) velocity gradient (G) evaluated; likewise, plug flow, dead volume, short-circuit ratios determined by tracer Wolf–Resnick model. average results removal 98.8% 99.93% color. TR varied between 4.62 36.97 min G 6.15 109.62 s−1. showed that can be useful flocculation unit in purification system.