Optimizing groundwater decarbonation in Bordj Bou Arreridj Highlands (Algeria): comparative study of carbide lime waste from linde gas and caustic soda

Various techniques are employed to mitigate scaling in water supply systems, with chemical treatments being particularly effective in reducing water hardness. Among these, decarbonation using lime is widely adopted due to its ability to precipitate calcium and reduce the potential for scale formation. This study presents a comparative analysis of decarbonation treatments for groundwater in the Bordj Bou Arreridj highlands (Algeria), focusing on the effectiveness of commercial caustic soda and carbide lime waste (CLW), a by-product from acetylene production at Lind Gas in Annaba (Algeria). The primary objective is to reduce water hardness to levels compliant with WHO standards, ensuring the prevention of scaling in domestic and industrial installations. Two distinct groundwater sources, El-Anasser and Bordj Ghedir, characterized by high hardness, were treated using both chemical agents. The study evaluated key parameters, including total alkalinity, calcium hardness, total hardness, and conductivity. The results reveal consistent correlations between the minimum values of these parameters across both treatments, with similar efficacy observed in the reduction of hardness. Notably, the use of CLW offers a sustainable alternative to commercial chemicals, contributing to the valorization of industrial by-products while achieving comparable decarbonation performance. This research underscores the potential for using industrial waste in water treatment applications, promoting both environmental and economic benefits.