<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><!DOCTYPE article  PUBLIC "-//NLM//DTD Journal Publishing DTD v3.0 20080202//EN" "http://dtd.nlm.nih.gov/publishing/3.0/journalpublishing3.dtd"><article xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" dtd-version="3.0" xml:lang="en" article-type="research article"><front><journal-meta><journal-id journal-id-type="publisher-id">AJAC</journal-id><journal-title-group><journal-title>American Journal of Analytical Chemistry</journal-title></journal-title-group><issn pub-type="epub">2156-8251</issn><publisher><publisher-name>Scientific Research Publishing</publisher-name></publisher></journal-meta><article-meta><article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.4236/ajac.2015.67059</article-id><article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">AJAC-57611</article-id><article-categories><subj-group subj-group-type="heading"><subject>Articles</subject></subj-group><subj-group subj-group-type="Discipline-v2"><subject>Chemistry&amp;Materials Science</subject></subj-group></article-categories><title-group><article-title>
 
 
  A Kinetic Investigation of the Pulverized Okra Pod Induced Coag-Flocculation in Treatment of Paint Wastewater
 
</article-title></title-group><contrib-group><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>.</surname><given-names>I. Okolo</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>P.</surname><given-names>C. Nnaji</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>M.</surname><given-names>C. Menkiti</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff2"><sup>2</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>O.</surname><given-names>D. Onukwuli</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff2"><sup>2</sup></xref></contrib></contrib-group><aff id="aff1"><addr-line>Department of Chemical Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria</addr-line></aff><aff id="aff2"><addr-line>Department of Chemical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria</addr-line></aff><pub-date pub-type="epub"><day>17</day><month>06</month><year>2015</year></pub-date><volume>06</volume><issue>07</issue><fpage>610</fpage><lpage>622</lpage><history><date date-type="received"><day>19</day>	<month>May</month>	<year>2015</year></date><date date-type="rev-recd"><day>accepted</day>	<month>26</month>	<year>June</year>	</date><date date-type="accepted"><day>30</day>	<month>June</month>	<year>2015</year></date></history><permissions><copyright-statement>&#169; Copyright  2014 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. </copyright-statement><copyright-year>2014</copyright-year><license><license-p>This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</license-p></license></permissions><abstract><p>
 
 
  The effectiveness of locally available okra pod powder as natural coagulant under varying pH, dosage and settling time in the removal of turbidity from paint waste water at room temperature has been evaluated. The application of single angle Turbidimeter measurement was employed for the experiment. Such kinetic and functional parameter as coagulation rate constant (&lt;i&gt;K&lt;/i&gt;), and coagulation period (&lt;i&gt;τ&lt;sub&gt;1/2&lt;/sub&gt;&lt;/i&gt;) , were determined. Statistical parameters such as coefficient of determination (&lt;i&gt;R&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/i&gt;), sum of squares due to error (SSE), and the root mean square error (RMSE), were used to evaluate the adequacy of the process. The highest value of 1.7&#215;10&lt;sup&gt;﹣4&lt;/sup&gt;L/mg.min for K is recorded at pH 4 and 100 mg/L dosage with &lt;i&gt;τ&lt;sub&gt;1/2&lt;/sub&gt;&lt;/i&gt; of 14.91 min and the least value of &lt;i&gt;K&lt;/i&gt;, 3.6&#215;10&lt;sup&gt;﹣5&lt;/sup&gt;L/mg.min is recorded at pH 8 and 300 mg/L doses with &lt;i&gt;τ&lt;sub&gt;1/2&lt;/sub&gt;&lt;/i&gt; of 70.43 min respectively. The efficiency of turbidity removal of more than 80% and 95% was achieved at the end of 3 mins and 30 mins settling time respectively, indicating a system controlled by perikinetic method of coag-flocculation. The results exhibited the potential of pulverized okra pod for removal of suspended particle from paint wastewater.
 
</p></abstract><kwd-group><kwd>Okra Pod</kwd><kwd> Coag-Flocculation</kwd><kwd> Paint Wastewater and Perikinetics</kwd></kwd-group></article-meta></front><body><sec id="s1"><title>1. Introduction</title><p>Paint manufacturing industries has increased in Nigeria over the recent years. Latex paints generally consist of organic and inorganic pigments and dyestuffs, extenders, cellulosic and non-cellulosic thickeners, latexes, emulsifying agents, anti-foaming agents, preservatives, solvents and coalescing agents [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref1">1</xref>] .</p><p>Paints are produced through a batch process in a tank or vessel and stored in containers. It is required that after every batch, the tanks are washed before the next batch of production. Paint wastewater is generated as a result of cleaning operation of mixers, reactors, blenders, packing machines and floors [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref2">2</xref>] .</p><p>The wastewater generated contains suspended solids, toxic compound and color [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref3">3</xref>] . Due to their high toxicity and heavy metal content, industrial wastewaters are strictly regulated and must be treated before being discharged into the environment [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref4">4</xref>] .</p><p>Several methods such as coagulation/flocculation, floatation, sedimentation, filtration, membrane process, electrochemical techniques, ion exchange and biological process are used in treating this wastewater [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref5">5</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref6">6</xref>] . Coagulation/flocculation, which is mainly the removal of SS (including colloidal micro particles) and natural organic matter, is essential for the wastewater treatment [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref7">7</xref>] .</p><p>Coagulation and flocculation theory stipulates that colloidal destabilization can be achieved by adding cations that interact specifically with the negative colloids and reduce (or neutralize) their charge on it [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref8">8</xref>] .</p><p>The two primary coagulants most commonly used include aluminum and iron (III) salt [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref9">9</xref>] -[<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref11">11</xref>] . High concentration aluminum intake into the body has been linked with several neuropath logical diseases including percentile dementia and Alzheimer’s disease [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref7">7</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref12">12</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref13">13</xref>] .</p><p>Natural coagulants have been reported to have several other advantages compare to synthetic coagulants such as alum and ferric chloride, in that, they produce much lower sludge volume, biodegradable and cost effective [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref14">14</xref>] .</p><p>The studies on the performance of natural coagulants derived from plants such as nirmali seed, Okra pod, tamarind tree, guar plant, moringa oleifera etc. has been reported to have the capacity of reducing low and high turbidity in surface and wastewater [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref4">4</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref9">9</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref15">15</xref>] -[<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref17">17</xref>] .</p><p>This work is under taken to investigate the suitability of using bio-based coagulant such as Okra pod powder in the removal of turbidity from paint wastewater. The studies were carried out varying coagulant dosage, pH and settling time. Coag-flocculation kinetics and performance of pulverized Okra pod, using single angle light scattering techniques was investigated.</p><p>Okra pod powder is a non-toxic, bio-degradable plant product with potential to function as coagulant or coagulant aid. Okra pod proximate analysis revealed the presence of reasonable percentage of protein which suggests that Okra can be used as a precursor to coagulant. Coag-flocculation process was carried out on paint wastewater using Okra pod powder to evaluate the kinetics, and efficiency of the coagulant.</p></sec><sec id="s2"><title>2. Theoretical Principles and Coag-Flocculation Kinetics</title><p>The time evolution of the cluster-size distribution for colloidal particles is usually described by the Smoluchowski equation [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref18">18</xref>] .</p><disp-formula id="scirp.57611-formula1051"><label>(1)</label><graphic position="anchor" xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x11.png"  xlink:type="simple"/></disp-formula><p>where N<sub>n</sub>(t) is the time-dependent number concentration of n-fold clusters, t is the time, and K<sub>ij</sub> are the elements of the rate kernel which control the rate of coagulation between i-fold and on j-fold cluster [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref18">18</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref19">19</xref>] .</p><p>According to the theory of Von Smoluchowski, where the coagulation of spherical particles is controlled by Brownian diffusion, the coagulation rate constant for doublet formation of an initially mono disperses suspension is given by [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref18">18</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref21">21</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref22">22</xref>] .</p><disp-formula id="scirp.57611-formula1052"><label>(2)</label><graphic position="anchor" xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x12.png"  xlink:type="simple"/></disp-formula><p>where <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x13.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula> the Boltzmann constant, T is the temperature and η is the viscosity.</p><p>The particles concentration of singlet and doublets as a function of time can be obtained by solving Equation (1) assuming a constant kernel, i.e.<inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x14.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula>, resulting in the expression [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref21">21</xref>] -[<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref24">24</xref>] .</p><disp-formula id="scirp.57611-formula1053"><label>(3)</label><graphic position="anchor" xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x15.png"  xlink:type="simple"/></disp-formula><p>where N<sub>0</sub> is the initial particle concentration. For n = 1, performing a simple algebraic transformation from Equation (3), one obtains for the inverse square root of the monomer concentration <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x16.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula> the following linear function with time.</p><p>Substituting the value of n = 1 in Equation (3), we get</p><disp-formula id="scirp.57611-formula1054"><label>(4)</label><graphic position="anchor" xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x17.png"  xlink:type="simple"/></disp-formula><p>Taking the inverse of Equation (4)</p><disp-formula id="scirp.57611-formula1055"><label>(5)</label><graphic position="anchor" xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x18.png"  xlink:type="simple"/></disp-formula><p>Also taking the inverse square root of the monomer concentration</p><disp-formula id="scirp.57611-formula1056"><label>(6)</label><graphic position="anchor" xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x19.png"  xlink:type="simple"/></disp-formula><p>where <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x20.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula> = concentration of singlet at time t, <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x21.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula>= concentration of singlet at time = 0 and k = rate constant for collisions between singlet.</p><p>Therefore, a graphical representation of the inverse square root of monomer concentration <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x22.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula> versus time should give a straight line and the coagulation rate constant can be measured from the slope of this function once the initial concentration <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x22.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x23.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula> is known.</p><p>From the constant kernel solution of the Smoluchowski, Equation (3), is a time scale for the coagulation half time is given by</p><disp-formula id="scirp.57611-formula1057"><label>(7)</label><graphic position="anchor" xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x24.png"  xlink:type="simple"/></disp-formula><p>At this time the total particle concentration is reduced by a factor of 2. This half-time represents a useful time scale for identification of the early stages in the coagulation process.</p><p>For an arbitrary kernel, <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x25.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula>, Equation (1) can be solved for short times as a power series in time and leads to simple expressions for the monomer and dimer concentrations [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref23">23</xref>] .</p><disp-formula id="scirp.57611-formula1058"><label>(8)</label><graphic position="anchor" xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x26.png"  xlink:type="simple"/></disp-formula><p>where,</p><disp-formula id="scirp.57611-formula1059"><label>(9)</label><graphic position="anchor" xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x27.png"  xlink:type="simple"/></disp-formula><p>Hence:</p><disp-formula id="scirp.57611-formula1060"><label>(10)</label><graphic position="anchor" xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x28.png"  xlink:type="simple"/></disp-formula><p>When <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x29.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula> Equation (10) becomes</p><disp-formula id="scirp.57611-formula1061"><label>(11)</label><graphic position="anchor" xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x30.png"  xlink:type="simple"/></disp-formula><p>Therefore as <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x31.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></p><p>Hence:</p><disp-formula id="scirp.57611-formula1062"><label>(12)</label><graphic position="anchor" xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x32.png"  xlink:type="simple"/></disp-formula><p>For Brownian aggregation at early stages<inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x33.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula>, Equation (1) can be solved exactly, resulting in the expression [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref19">19</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref21">21</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref23">23</xref>] .</p><disp-formula id="scirp.57611-formula1063"><label>(13)</label><graphic position="anchor" xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x34.png"  xlink:type="simple"/></disp-formula><p>where <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x35.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></p><p>Hence, for singlet (m = 1)</p><disp-formula id="scirp.57611-formula1064"><label>(14)</label><graphic position="anchor" xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x36.png"  xlink:type="simple"/></disp-formula><p>For doublets (m = 2)</p><disp-formula id="scirp.57611-formula1065"><label>(15)</label><graphic position="anchor" xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x37.png"  xlink:type="simple"/></disp-formula><p>For triplets (m = 3)</p><disp-formula id="scirp.57611-formula1066"><label>(16)</label><graphic position="anchor" xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x38.png"  xlink:type="simple"/></disp-formula><p>At this point, however, it becomes pertinent to note that efficiency of coag-flocculation was determined using the following expression.</p><disp-formula id="scirp.57611-formula1067"><label>(17)</label><graphic position="anchor" xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x39.png"  xlink:type="simple"/></disp-formula><p>Following the work of MetCalf and Eddy, the relationship between turbidity and total suspended solid is as follows [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref26">26</xref>] .</p><disp-formula id="scirp.57611-formula1068"><label>(18)</label><graphic position="anchor" xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x40.png"  xlink:type="simple"/></disp-formula><p>where, T is turbidity (NTU), Tssf, is conversion factor = 2.3.</p></sec><sec id="s3"><title>3. Materials and Methods</title><sec id="s3_1"><title>3.1. Collection of Paint Wastewater Sample and Its Analysis</title><p>The wastewater was collected from the waste channel of a paint factory located in Enugu Nigeria. The sample was collected in a 20-litre poly ethylene bottle and tightly closed. The pH, electrical conductivity and turbidity were determined using Mettler Toledo Delta 320 pH Meter, EI Digital Conductivity Meter (model number 161) and EI Digital Turbidity Meter (model no. 337), respectively. Determination of dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand (BOD), total dissolved solid (TDS), total suspended solid (TSS), chemical oxygen demand and conductivity were carried out according to the standard method for the examination of water and wastewater [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref27">27</xref>] . The characteristics of the wastewater collected from paint industry are given in <xref ref-type="table" rid="table1">Table 1</xref>.</p></sec><sec id="s3_2"><title>3.2. Preparation of Coagulant Stock Solution</title>Preparation of Okra Pod<p>The Okra pods used in this study was bought from Ogbette market in Enugu, Nigeria. The Okra pod was sun dried for one week, and dried finally in hot air oven at 60˚C for an hour. It was grounded with common food processor and sieved through a 600 &#181;m sieve to achieve solubilization of active ingredient in the seed. Tap water was added to the powder to make 2% suspension (2 g of powder pod in 100 ml water). The suspension was stirred for 30 minutes on a magnetic stirrer to promote water extraction of the coagulant proteins. The suspension was passed through a filter paper (Whatman No 42). The filtrate portion was used as coagulant in treating paint wastewater [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref6">6</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref28">28</xref>] .</p><p>The characteristics of the Okra pod on the bases of [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref29">29</xref>] standard method are presented in <xref ref-type="table" rid="table2">Table 2</xref>.</p></sec><sec id="s3_3"><title>3.3. Coagulation-Flocculation Experiment</title><p>An experiment was conducted using conventional jar test apparatus. Desired dosages of Okra coagulant between 100 - 500 mg/L were added into 300 ml of paint wastewater in 1 litre beaker at room temperature. The content of the beaker was stirred vigorously at 250 rpm for 2 min, using magnetic stirrer, and 20 min of slow mixing at 30 rpm. Then the stirrer was turned off and the suspensions were allowed to settle for 30 min. During the settling period, 20 ml of supernatant were pipetted at an interval of 3 min, 5 min, 10 min, 15 min, …, and 30 min. Then the turbidity of each supernatant collected at specific time was measured and recorded. All tests were conducted at an ambient temperature. The above procedure was repeated 5 times at room temperature, at different dosages and pH. The pH adjustment was done by using dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl) and diluted sodium hydroxide (NaOH).</p></sec></sec><sec id="s4"><title>4. Results and Discussion</title><sec id="s4_1"><title>4.1. Coag-Flocculation Kinetics</title><p>The values of coag-flocculation reaction parameters are presented in Tables 3-7, using standard nephelometric jar test. The test was performed on a sample of paint wastewater with initial suspended solid particles (SSP) of 788.85 mg/L, Okra dosage range 100 - 500 mg/L and pH 2 - 10.</p><table-wrap id="table1" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table1">Table 1</xref></label><caption><title> Characteristics of paint wastewater</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >Parameter</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Values</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >pH</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >7.8</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Conductivity (ms/cm)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.7</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Turbidity (NTU)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >339.5</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >TSS (mg/l)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13350</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >COD (mg/l)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >25100</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >BOD<sub>5</sub> (mg/l)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1968</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >TKN (mg/l)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >490</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Total Phosphorus (mg/l)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >16.1</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Chloride (mg/l)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >355</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Sulphate (mg/l)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >768.9</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Cr<sup>6</sup><sup>+</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.01</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Cd</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.02</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Pb</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.44</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Total Fe</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >4.82</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Zn</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.18</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><table-wrap id="table2" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table2">Table 2</xref></label><caption><title> Characteristics of Okra pod</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >Parameter</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Values</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Moisture content (%)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12.0</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Ash content (%)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >7.20</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Fat content (%)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >11.0</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Crude Protein (%)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >23.0</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Crude fiber (%)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.5</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Carbohydrate (%)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >33.3</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><table-wrap id="table3" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table3">Table 3</xref></label><caption><title> Coag-flocculation kinetic parameter of Okra pod at varying pH and 100 mg/L dosage</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >Parameter</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >pH 2</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >pH 4</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >pH 6</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >pH8</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >pH 10</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >R<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.8891</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.8802</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.7923</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.6803</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.798</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Adj. R<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.867</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.8562</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.7507</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.6163</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.7576</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >K(L/mg&#215;min)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x41.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x42.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x43.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x44.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x45.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >SSE</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.000282</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.0004788</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.0008703</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.0001195</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.00007874</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >RMSE</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.0.00751</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.009786</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.01319</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.00488</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.003968</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x46.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >18.64</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >14.91</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.36</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >55.48</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >50.20</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x47.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >37.28</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >29.28</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >30.72</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >110.96</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >100.40</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><table-wrap id="table4" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table4">Table 4</xref></label><caption><title> Coag-flocculation kinetic parameter of Okra pod at varying pH and 200 mg/L dosage</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >Parameter</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >pH 2</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >pH 4</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >pH 6</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >pH 8</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >pH 10</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >R<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.9306</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.8891</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.9674</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.9843</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.9132</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Adj. R<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.9168</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.8669</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.9609</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.9811</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.8958</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >K L/mg&#215;min</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x48.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x49.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x50.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x51.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x52.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >SSE</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.0002086</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.0002861</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.00009435</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.000009575</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.00001557</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >RMSE</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.006459</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.007563</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.004344</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.001384</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.001765</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x53.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >16.67</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >18.07</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >16.72</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >36.17</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >69.08</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x54.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >33.34</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >36.14</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >33.44</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >72.34</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >138.16</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><table-wrap id="table5" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table5">Table 5</xref></label><caption><title> Coag-flocculation kinetic parameter of Okra at varying pH and 300 mg/L dosage</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >Parameter</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >pH 2</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >pH 4</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >pH 6</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >pH 8</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >pH 10</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >R<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.9719</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.8784</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.9391</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.8692</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.8977</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Adj. R<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.9663</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.8541</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.9269</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.843</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.8773</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >K L/mg&#215;min</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x55.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x56.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x57.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x58.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x59.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >SSE</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.0000689</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.0002757</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.0000362</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.00002269</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.00007343</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >RMSE</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.003714</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.007425</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.002694</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.00213</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.003832</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x60.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >18.11</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >21.13</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >37.28</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >70.43</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >34.73</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x61.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >36.22</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >42.26</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >74.56</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >140.85</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >69.46</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><table-wrap id="table6" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table6">Table 6</xref></label><caption><title> Coag-flocculation kinetic parameter of Okra pod at varying pH and 400 mg/L dosage</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >Parameter</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >pH 2</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >pH 4</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >pH 6</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >pH 8</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >pH 10</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >R<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.9781</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.9148</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.899</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.7756</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.9126</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Adj. R<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.9737</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.8977</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.8788</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.7308</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.8952</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >K L/mg&#215;min</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x62.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x63.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x64.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x65.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x66.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >SSE</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.00004191</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.0001548</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.00004881</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.00009013</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.00002074</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >RMSE</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.002895</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.005564</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.003124</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.004246</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.002037</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x67.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >20.45</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >21.67</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >42.47</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >50.20</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >63.38</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x68.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >40.9</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >43.34</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >84.94</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >100.40</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >126.76</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><table-wrap id="table7" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table7">Table 7</xref></label><caption><title> Coag-flocculation kinetic parameter of Okra pod at varying pH and 500 mg/L dosage</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >Parameter</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >pH 2</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >pH 4</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >pH 6</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >pH 8</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >pH 10</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >R<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.9944</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.9272</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.9622</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.9645</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.9814</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Adj. R<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.9933</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.9126</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.9546</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.9574</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.9777</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >K L/mg&#215;min</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x69.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x70.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x71.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x72.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x73.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >SSE</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.00001132</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.0001954</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.00002199</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.000009627</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.000006419</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >RMSE</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.001503</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.006251</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.002097</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.001388</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.001133</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x74.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >19.8</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >17.72</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >37.39</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >54.64</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >48.0</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x75.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >39.6</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >35.44</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >74.78</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >109.28</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >96.04</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><p>From Equation (4), it then follows that the inverse square root of the monomer concentration <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x76.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula> will be a linear function of time. The rate constant K were calculated from the slope of the fitted line as shown in Figures 1-5. Coefficient of determination <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x76.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x77.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula> was employed in the evaluation of the level of accuracy of the fit of the experimental data. Results in Tables 3-7 indicate that majority of <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x76.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x77.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x78.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula> in the tables are greater than 0.8, which is a relative measure of fit, but <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x76.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x77.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x78.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x79.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula> adjusted is basically the same as that of <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x76.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x77.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x78.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x79.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x80.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula> which should be used as an indicator of adequacy of the model, since it takes into account not only deviations, but also numbers of degree of freedom. The RMSE and SSE are very small, which indicates minimal error and thus, we assume our fit to be good.</p><p>For 100 mg/L at pH 4, the <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x81.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula> value is 0.8802, means that the fit explains 88.02% of the total variation, in the data about the average.</p><p>Using the coagulation rate constant from the fit of the monomer concentration, the constant kernel model is able to predict the time evolution of the larger aggregate at early stage.</p><p>The highest value of K is <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x82.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula> is recorded at pH 4 and 100 mg/L dosage, with corresponding value of</p><fig id="fig1"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref></label><caption><title> <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x84.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula>vs T for 100 mg/L pH variation</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x83.png"/></fig><fig id="fig2"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref></label><caption><title> <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x86.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula>vs T for 200 mg/L pH variation</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x85.png"/></fig><fig id="fig3"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig3">Figure 3</xref></label><caption><title> <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x88.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula>vs T for 300 mg/L pH variation</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x87.png"/></fig><fig id="fig4"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig4">Figure 4</xref></label><caption><title> <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x90.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula>vs T for 400 mg/L pH variation</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x89.png"/></fig><fig id="fig5"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig5">Figure 5</xref></label><caption><title> <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x92.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula>vs T for 500 mg/L pH variation</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x91.png"/></fig><p><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x93.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula>The least value of K is <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x93.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x94.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula> is recorded at pH 8 and 300 mg/L dosage with corresponding <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x93.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x94.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x95.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula> It can be deduced from the observation, that coag-flocculation with low dosage is more favoured in acid medium based on the charge density principles [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref22">22</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref28">28</xref>] .</p></sec><sec id="s4_2"><title>4.2. Variation of Removal Efficiency, E (%) as a Function of Time, pH and Dosage</title><p>Removal efficiency E (%) with time, pH and dosage is obtained by evaluating equation 10. The graphical results, represented in Figures 6-10 are obtained for pH 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 at 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 mg/L Okra dosages. Generally, the efficiency increases with increase in time, though the magnitude differs for particular pH and dosage. Each coagulant has an optimal dose that results in the greatest turbidity removal and that differs depending on the water initial turbidity [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref29">29</xref>] -[<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref31">31</xref>] .</p><p>From the figure, the suspended solid removal efficiency for all doses at pH 2 - 10 is between 5% - 75% in the first 3 min, and more than 80% at 30 min respectively. The implication is that at least 80% to 95% of initial SSP load of 788.85 mg/l were removed after 30 min settling time. The best performance was achieved at pH 4 with 200 mg/L dosage. Figures 6-10 show that turbidity reduction efficiency increases with the increase in coagulant dosage till it reaches its optimum dosage after which the reduction and removal efficiency start to decrease. Hence, the optimum dose and optimum pH are 200 mg/L and 4.0 respectively. According to [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref31">31</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref32">32</xref>] , at lower pH and lower coagulant dosage, the only mechanism for the destabilization of particle is charge neutralization.</p><fig id="fig6"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref></label><caption><title> Coag-flocculation efficiency versus time at varying pH for 100 mg/L of Okra dosage</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x96.png"/></fig><fig id="fig7"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig7">Figure 7</xref></label><caption><title> Coag-flocculation efficiency at varying pH for 200 mg/L of Okra dosage</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x97.png"/></fig><fig id="fig8"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig8">Figure 8</xref></label><caption><title> Coag-flocculation efficiency at varying pH for 300 mg/L dosage for Okra</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x98.png"/></fig><fig id="fig9"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig9">Figure 9</xref></label><caption><title> Coag-flocculation efficiency at varying pH for 400 mg/L dosage for Okra</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x99.png"/></fig><fig id="fig10"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>0</label><caption><title> Coag-flocculation efficiency at varying pH for 500 mg/L dosage for Okra</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x100.png"/></fig></sec><sec id="s4_3"><title>4.3. Time Evolution of Particle Cluster Size Distribution</title><p>Using the k obtained from the linear plots of Equation (6), Equations (14)-(16) are able to predict the time evolution of particles aggregates (Singlets, doublets, triplet for m = 1, 2, 3 respectively).</p><p>Represented results are shown in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>1 and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>2, which show the response of Equation (13) to two different <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x101.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula> of 14.91 and 70.43 minutes. The trend is similar for all the curves and represents particle distribution expected in a typical coagulation process [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref33">33</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref34">34</xref>] .</p><p>The numbers of primary particles (singlets) as shown in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>1 and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>2, decreases more rapidly than the total number of particles (<inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x102.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula>). This is because doublets and triplets are formed because of the quick destabilization of singlets which facilitated coagulation process [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref19">19</xref>] .</p><p>Collision frequency values have small variations, suggesting high kinetic energy that overcomes the zeta potential, favoring fast coagulation. Values of <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x103.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula> are high, corresponding to low collision frequency values, suggesting existence of electrostatic repulsion interactions between colloid particles for particles of like charges and also attraction for particles of unlike charges, which indicates the existence of Van der Waals attraction forces between colloid particles and coagulant [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.57611-ref24">24</xref>] .</p><fig id="fig11"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>1</label><caption><title> Particles distribution behavior for half-life of 14.91 min</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x104.png"/></fig><fig id="fig12"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>2</label><caption><title> Particles distribution behavior for half-life of 70.43 min</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-2201187x105.png"/></fig></sec></sec><sec id="s5"><title>5. Conclusion</title><p>From the present study, Okra pod is a very effective coag-flocculants for treatment of paint wastewater at room temperature (303 K). Varying dosages had no significant difference on the coag-flocculation performance of Okra pod, but varying pH conditions of paint wastewater, has significant difference on the coag-flocculation performance. From experimental optimum conditions, Okra pod becomes an effective coag-flocculants for the purification of industrial wastewaters within the range of pH 2 - 6.</p></sec><sec id="s6"><title>NOTES</title></sec></body><back><ref-list><title>References</title><ref id="scirp.57611-ref1"><label>1</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Aboulhassan, N.A., Souabi, S., Yaacoubi, A. and Baudu, M. (2006) Improvement of Paint Effluents Coagulation Using Natural and Synthetic Coagulatant Aids. 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