Optimization of the amount of coagulants for the production of drinking water in areas of the Peruvian highlands

Abstract

ublic or private companies producing drinking water must use the optimal amount of coagulant (Al2SO4) in the production of drinking water for economic benefit and health care, taking into account the cities in the highlands located above 3200 m.a.s.l. The optimal dose of coagulant is a critical operation, which aims to precipitate the amount of impurities present in raw water, its excess alters the quality of water causing damage to health when the parameters are outside the permissible limits by the WHO. The use of genetic algorithms allowed to determine the optimal amount of coagulant (aluminum sulfate). However, at present it is done manually by means of tests called “Jar Tests”. These tests are done in the laboratory, but, it is expensive and takes a long time. The parameters used in the simulation are: pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids and conductivity, which measure the amount of coagulants at the entrance and exit in a period of time. The precision achieved with this method is 99.2% with a margin of error of 0.8%, compared to other methods such as neuronal methods which reach a result of 98% with a margin of error of 2%. The amount of coagulant is within the parameters established by the World Health Organization, avoiding cancer problems in the population of the highland areas, reaching quality standards.