Sancayo peel (Corryocactus brevistylus) as an efficient natural coagulant to remove turbidity in synthetic samples containing kaolin

In recent years, new alternatives, such as natural coagulants, have been studied. The efficiency of sancayo peel (Corryocactus brevistylus) as a natural coagulant in the reduction of medium - high turbidity in samples of synthetic turbid water (STW) prepared with kaolin and tap water was evaluated. Different variables were applied: dose (0.05, 0.1, 0.15) g/L, pH (3,6,9) units and medium-high turbidity (50, 125 and 200) NTU to determine the optimal dose of sancayo peel powder (SPP). The response surface methodology (RSM) with Box-Behnken design optimized the following experimental conditions: 0.1 g/L dose (SPP) pH 3 and a 200 NTU initial turbidity which provided an 82 % reduction in turbidity. Only pH and turbidity were significant variables (ANOVA). Al2(SO4)3·18H2O was used as a chemical coagulant at a 200 NTU initial turbidity and pH 6, the reduction results for Al2(SO4)3·18H2O and PCS were (99 and 48) %, respectively.