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Main Authors: Bassey, Otuekong, Offor, Uchechukwu H.
Format: Recurso digital
Language:English
Published: Zenodo 2026
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20108538
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author Bassey, Otuekong
Offor, Uchechukwu H.
author_facet Bassey, Otuekong
Offor, Uchechukwu H.
contents <p>This preprint presents a response-surface-optimised bio-augmented coagulation system integrating watermelon-seed powder (Citrullus lanatus) with aluminium sulphate for sustainable clarification of high-turbidity tropical surface water. The study combines experimental jar-test evaluation, Central Composite Design (CCD)-based response-surface methodology, CEPCI-2025-normalised economic assessment, Monte-Carlo uncertainty analysis, and environmental footprint evaluation to identify an economically dominant and regulator-compliant hybrid coagulant formulation.</p> <p>Six alum:watermelon-seed-powder blending ratios were experimentally investigated under controlled coagulation–flocculation conditions using raw surface water collected from the Qua Iboe River, Nigeria. The optimised 80/20 alum–WMSP hybrid achieved 98.6% turbidity removal with residual turbidity of 0.99 NTU while satisfying WHO drinking-water quality requirements for pH and residual aluminium concentration.</p> <p>Cost-effectiveness analysis demonstrates that the optimum hybrid reduces chemical operating expenditure by 18.4% relative to conventional alum treatment while simultaneously improving clarification efficiency, yielding a dominant negative ICER outcome. Monte-Carlo sensitivity analysis confirms robustness under market and operational variability, while environmental assessment reveals substantial reductions in sludge generation, aluminium loading, and cradle-to-gate CO₂-equivalent emissions.</p> <p>The work establishes a scalable, regulator-aligned and economically sustainable framework for low-resource municipal and community water-treatment systems across Sub-Saharan Africa and comparable developing regions, supporting SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).</p>
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spellingShingle Optimisation of a Bio-Augmented Coagulation System Using Watermelon-Seed Powder and Aluminium Sulphate for Surface-Water Clarification: A Response-Surface and Cost-Effectiveness Study
Bassey, Otuekong
Offor, Uchechukwu H.
watermelon-seed coagulant, aluminium sulphate, bio-augmented coagulation, response-surface methodology, sustainable water treatment, turbidity removal, cost-effectiveness analysis, CEPCI-2025, hybrid coagulants, drinking-water treatment, coagulation-flocculation, surface-water clarification, process optimisation, Monte-Carlo sensitivity analysis, environmental impact assessment, low-cost water treatment, phytochemical coagulants, municipal water treatment, industrial water engineering, APHA standard methods, WHO drinking-water compliance, Nigerian water treatment, green water technology, sustainable process engineering, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, water process engineering, SDG 6, SDG 12, circular bioeconomy
Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water Treatment Engineering, Sustainable Process Engineering, Process Optimisation, Water Quality Management, Green Technology, Industrial Water Treatment, Process Systems Engineering, Environmental Sustainability, Bio-Based Materials, Municipal Water Infrastructure, Drinking Water Technology, Applied Chemistry, Environmental Biotechnology
<p>This preprint presents a response-surface-optimised bio-augmented coagulation system integrating watermelon-seed powder (Citrullus lanatus) with aluminium sulphate for sustainable clarification of high-turbidity tropical surface water. The study combines experimental jar-test evaluation, Central Composite Design (CCD)-based response-surface methodology, CEPCI-2025-normalised economic assessment, Monte-Carlo uncertainty analysis, and environmental footprint evaluation to identify an economically dominant and regulator-compliant hybrid coagulant formulation.</p> <p>Six alum:watermelon-seed-powder blending ratios were experimentally investigated under controlled coagulation–flocculation conditions using raw surface water collected from the Qua Iboe River, Nigeria. The optimised 80/20 alum–WMSP hybrid achieved 98.6% turbidity removal with residual turbidity of 0.99 NTU while satisfying WHO drinking-water quality requirements for pH and residual aluminium concentration.</p> <p>Cost-effectiveness analysis demonstrates that the optimum hybrid reduces chemical operating expenditure by 18.4% relative to conventional alum treatment while simultaneously improving clarification efficiency, yielding a dominant negative ICER outcome. Monte-Carlo sensitivity analysis confirms robustness under market and operational variability, while environmental assessment reveals substantial reductions in sludge generation, aluminium loading, and cradle-to-gate CO₂-equivalent emissions.</p> <p>The work establishes a scalable, regulator-aligned and economically sustainable framework for low-resource municipal and community water-treatment systems across Sub-Saharan Africa and comparable developing regions, supporting SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).</p>
title Optimisation of a Bio-Augmented Coagulation System Using Watermelon-Seed Powder and Aluminium Sulphate for Surface-Water Clarification: A Response-Surface and Cost-Effectiveness Study
topic watermelon-seed coagulant, aluminium sulphate, bio-augmented coagulation, response-surface methodology, sustainable water treatment, turbidity removal, cost-effectiveness analysis, CEPCI-2025, hybrid coagulants, drinking-water treatment, coagulation-flocculation, surface-water clarification, process optimisation, Monte-Carlo sensitivity analysis, environmental impact assessment, low-cost water treatment, phytochemical coagulants, municipal water treatment, industrial water engineering, APHA standard methods, WHO drinking-water compliance, Nigerian water treatment, green water technology, sustainable process engineering, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, water process engineering, SDG 6, SDG 12, circular bioeconomy
Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water Treatment Engineering, Sustainable Process Engineering, Process Optimisation, Water Quality Management, Green Technology, Industrial Water Treatment, Process Systems Engineering, Environmental Sustainability, Bio-Based Materials, Municipal Water Infrastructure, Drinking Water Technology, Applied Chemistry, Environmental Biotechnology
url https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20108538