pre-oxydation

Depending on temperature and distance, pre-oxidation is carried out either at the water intake or at the treatment plant site.

aeration

This treatment step is designed to compensate for the raw water’s lack of oxygen or to remove undesireable gases (such as H₂S or CO₂).

When this stage is carried out in the open air, the water’s increased oxygen content will be in equilibrium with the carbon dioxide removed. In the case waters having average or high mineral content, this aspect must be taken into consideration because any loss of “balancing” CO₂ can result in scaling conditions. This may necessitate the use of pressurised aeration which allows for increase in O₂ concentration without any corresponding change in the CO₂ concentration.

chemical oxidation

see also section oxidation and reduction and chapter oxidation-disinfection

pre-oxidation using chlorine

As discussed, in the presence of organic matter, pre-chlorination will be accompanied by the formation of unwanted compounds; therefore, as a rule, it is better to place the chlorination point as far down the treatment line as possible, ideally following the maximum possible elimination of organic precursors present in the water.

Pre-chlorination can only be maintained when the water does not contain precursors in large quantities; pre-chlorination is used when there is a danger of algae developing in the clarification structures, or for the elimination of NH₄⁺ ions or to oxidise ferrous iron to ferric iron.

Pre-chlorination can also be applied at an intermediate stage (e.g. to the clarified water) to prevent biological fouling (bacteria, algae, zooplankton…) on filters.

pre-oxidation using chloramines

When the raw water does not contain any ammonia, consideration can be given to the use of chloramines that have been previously produced through the reaction of chlorine with ammonia or ammonium sulphate.

pre-oxidation using chlorine dioxide

This technique was developed as an attempt to replace chlorine during pre-oxidation. In effect, chlorine dioxide, although it will not oxidise ammonium, will not result in the formation of THM either. However, when it reacts with NOM, it releases CℓO₂^– (chlorite) ions that subsequently have to be eliminated. As the result of new standards (decree 2003-461), the use of chlorine dioxide in pre-oxidation applications has tended to disappear.

pre-oxidation using potassium permanganate

This oxidant is mainly used for the treatment of raw waters containing manganese, which it precipitates according to the following reaction:

This reaction is promoted by a high pH, accelerating the reaction kinetics, hence the need to control the pH (> 7.0) and to allow for a sufficient contact time (5-10 minutes).

In the case of waters having low mineralised content, and containing high levels of dissolved organic matter and a requirement for a very low coagulation pH (5.5 to 6), preference should be given to locating the KMnO₄ injection point to between the settling tank and the filter after adjusting the pH to a favorable level (7.0 to 7.5).

Potassium permanganate is also occasionally used for the partial oxidation of some OM, to remove unpleasant tastes or to combat the development of algae within the clarification equipment.

Using KMnO₄ for pre-oxidation requires that the amount injected is meticulously controlled; as any excess dosage can impart a pink coloration to the treated water, caused by the presence of soluble Mn(VII).

pre-oxidation using ozone

When used for the pre-treatment of raw surface water, ozone, like CℓO₂, prevents the formation of THM and other chlorinated derivatives. It will not oxidise ammonium but does create conditions that promote subsequent nitrification. This helps to explain why, even if ozone is less effective than chlorine in this application, it is in fact the pre-oxidant that is the most widely used in clarification systems because it has a number of beneficial effects:

• improves clarification effectiveness (turbidity, colour, residual micro-algae, OM, THM precursors…);
• in some cases, reduces the coagulant demand;
• prepares the water for subsequent biological treatment.

However, there is a fairly strict optimumdosage (approximately 1 mg · L^–1) and contact time (approximately 1 minute); beyond these levels, the floc will "redisperse".

The use of pre-ozonation under these conditions requires two comments:

• pre-ozonation will not guarantee clean structures due to the lack of residual oxidant, thereby requiring clarifiers and filters to be covered;
• with polluted water, a main oxidation step is appropriate (producing residual O₃) as part of the subsequent treatment in order to ensure complete oxidation of any compounds formed during the pre-ozonation stage.

The interest of pre-ozonation will be illustrated later on with examples of treatment using coagulation through a filter (see end of clarification) or a complete clarification + polishing treatment (see section polishing: removal of organic matter and micro-pollutants).