Browsing by Author "Mesfin, Amhagiyorgis"

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    Characterization of Physicochemical Parameters for Tap Water and Removal of Hardness Using Moringa Stenopetala seed as Natural Absorbent The Case of Mekelle Town, Tigray Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2007-06) Mesfin, Amhagiyorgis; Assefa, Berhanu (PhD)
    The physicochemical examination of tap water used for domestic purposes in Mekelle town was carried out to ascertain their suitability for consumption. Water softening experiments were also conducted to observe the changes in total hardness, with varying dosages of a natural coagulant. The natural coagulant was extracted from Moringa stenopetala seed A total of twenty (20) water samples were collected from various parts of the town tap water used for domestic purposes and characterized for their physicochemical parameters, arising public interest. The physicochemical implications render Mekelle’s tap water unfit for human consumption, though it can be used for other purposes. Tap water samples containing high concentration of hardness from Mekelle town, Enda Mariam and Enda Giyorgis areas were used for hardness removal mechanism part of this study. The optimum hardness removal efficiency for Mekelle tap water sample produced from ground water source was approximately 58 % (from initial total hardness of 523.25 to final hardness result of 220.3 which is within Ethiopian and WHO standard, i.e. below 300 mg/l as CaCO3) which was attained at M.Stenopetala dosage of 200 mg/l. The optimum hardness removal efficiency for synthetic hard water analysis done by taking two factors, coagulant dose concentration and PH as independent factors was approximately 49 % (from 500 to 256.6 mg/l as CaCO3) which was attained at M.Stenopetala dosage of 200 mg/l and 6.5 PH value. The mechanism for hardness removal in hard water seems to be precipitation of insoluble products of the reaction between M.Stenopetala extract and the hardness causing ions. Even at a relatively higher dosage of the M.Stenopetala coagulant compared to the chemical softening, natural coagulant is preferred for economic use, health and environmental safety. Key words: Water Hardness, coagulant protein, Moringa Stenopetala, physicochemical parameters, Tap water