Removal of Emulsified PHCs from Brackish Water by Coagulation

Abstract

Chemical coagulation is a well-known method for removing colloidal particles that cause turbidity in water. In this study coagulation was used to remove emulsified petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) found in fuel oils from brackish water. Comparison of the total ion chromatograms of PHCs before and after coagulation clearly showed that PHCs with carbon numbers between 11 and 35 (naphthalene to pentatriacotane) with long chain alkanes were removed completely from the brackish water by coagulation followed by settling. Smaller carbon number (C7–C9) benzene derivatives were partially removed. For the PHCs with smaller carbon numbers, the removal efficiency increased with increasing carbon number.