WQA Academy

Introduction

 Chemistry is the study of stuff!  You take some stuff, add some stuff and you get a whole NEW type of stuff.

 Matter

In the chemistry business, stuff is called matter.  Matter is anything that has mass (weight) and occupies space.

Element

Matter consists of particles of elements or a combination of elements, (see periodic table, section A).  There are 109 known elements; 91 have been found in nature, the rest are manmade.

Atom

If you could take a sample of an element and divide it into smaller and smaller pieces, you would eventually come down to a tiny particle that, if subdivided any more, would no longer show the characteristics of the original element.  The smallest particle that still retains the characteristics of an element is called the atom.

The pH is a measurement of a solution’s acidity or basicity.  The pH tells us the concentration of [H⁺] in solution. This lesson will cover:

• pH Scale
• Log
•  Logarithms are exponents. 
• pH & Water Treatment
• Acids & Bases
• Alkalinity

Coagulation Chemistry

and

Polymers

 In the coagulation and floculation process, nonsettleable solids are converted into larger and heavier settleable solids.  The settleable solids can then be removed by the sedimentation and filtration process.

This lesson will cover:

• Natural Forces
• Polar Molecules
• Coagulants
• Iron Salts
• Polymers

 

Halogens

 Elements of Group VII in the Periodic Table are called the halogens.  The name “halogen” is derived from Greek words that mean “salt former.” At room temperature, the halogens exist in physical phases that vary from gas to solid.

 The halogens combine directly with hydrogen, forming hydrogen halides, all of which are colorless gases

 Because of their oxidizing power, halogens make superb disinfectants for water treatment.

 Disinfection is the treatment process used to destroy or inactuate disease-causing (pathogenic) organisms.

 Disinfection should not be confused with sterilization.  Sterilization is the destruction of all living microorganisms.

This lesson will also cover:

• Properties of chlorine
• Sources of Ammonia
• Reactions
• THM
• Breakpoint Chlorination

Hard Water Chemistry

 Hard water is caused by soluble, divalent, metallic cations.  The principle chemicals are calcium (Ca⁺²) and Magnesium (Mg⁺²)

This lesson will cover the following:

• Lime and Soda Ash Softening
• Hardness Removal
• Regeneration
• Scaling
• Corrosion Control
• Langelier Saturation Index