Turbidity removal of fine coal–water suspension by flocculation using Taguchi (L₁₆) experimental design

ABSTRACT

Taguchi method is rather practical way for setting the best combination of different variables for various parameters in such phenomenon requiring excessive number of experiments. In this study, a series of flocculation experiments were performed using Taguchi (L₁₆) experimental design to determine the optimum conditions for the turbidity removal from fine coal suspensions. The effects of some controllable factors on the turbidity removal were evaluated by effective flocculation recovery via analysis of mean statistical approach and the percentage contributions of each parameters were also defined using analysis of variance statistical approach. The most influential factor was determined as the polymer concentration with a contribution of 47.831%. The optimum conditions were ascertained as pH = 7, stirring speed of 500 rpm, polymer concentration of 2 mg/L, flocculation time of 3 min, and polymer type of 934SH.

KEYWORDS:

• ANOVA
• fine coal
• optimization
• Taguchi method
• turbidity removal

Acknowledgment

The author greatly acknowledges the financial support provided by the Scientific Research Project Fund of Selcuk University.