Application of Chitosan and Its Derivatives as Bioflocculants for Iron and Turbidity Removal from Filter Backwash Water

The present study aimed to investigate the potential application of chitosan (CS) and its two derivatives, dialdehyde (DCT) carboxymethyl (CMC), as new flocculants in purification filter backwash water. main objective work was remove disadvantages inconveniences associated with using synthetic flocculants, mainly based on polyacrylamide, by biodegradable non-toxic biopolymer flocculants. derivatives were obtained process chemical modification this polysaccharide. CS oxidated periodate acetic acid solution obtain DCT a degree substitution (DS) 44.29%. For CMC synthesis, after alkaline activation chitosan, treated monochloroacetic (MCA) at 60 °C for 3 h, leading carboxymethylated formation DS 49.55%. Characterizations Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) an elementary analysis confirmed successful chitosan. morphology thermal stability samples investigated scanning electron microscopy (SEM) thermogravimetric (TGA), respectively. Moreover, materials studied series flocculation jar tests water collected treatment plant (WTP) Kutno, Poland. turned out be particularly effective agent optimal amount 0.2 mg/L, achieving nearly 99% iron removal 98.26% turbidity efficiency rates, which indicates that chitosan–based can ecological alternatives polyacrylamide effectively removing impurities ions.