This study investigates hydraulic flocculation within the Benha water treatment plant, utilizing the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for data analysis. The surface water source examined in this research is El-Riah El-Tawfeeqi, located in Benha City, Egypt. A pilot plant, designed to simulate a conventional water treatment facility in Benha City, was employed to evaluate the performance of vertical versus horizontal baffles during the flocculation phase. In this setup, hydraulic mixing replaced mechanical mixing for rapid flash mixing, while vertical and horizontal baffles substituted mechanical gentle mixing. The primary objective of introducing hydraulic baffles was to decrease the dependency on mechanical mixing, thereby optimizing energy consumption. Additionally, the study aimed to assess turbidity reduction and identify the more effective configuration—vertical or horizontal baffles. Turbidity levels were measured using a turbidimeter, and the optimal Alum dosage was determined through jar testing. Water quality parameters were analyzed at the Qalyubia Water and Wastewater Company (QWWCO) laboratory, with samples collected between January 2021 and May 2023. Results revealed that vertical baffles exhibited superior efficiency in hydraulic mixing, achieving a 17% greater reduction in turbidity compared to horizontal baffles. |
