Design of Cost Efficient Filtration Cartridge Using Iron Impregnated Activated Carbon for the Removal of Arsenic and Iron

Abstract

Water is not only one of the most important and basic natural resources on earth but also one of the most vital commodity of our daily life. This natural resource forms the sustenance of all the living organisms. Rain and snowfall are the two natural sources of pure water on earth. The initial stage of the journey of water on earth includes surface run-off in the form of streams, rivers and lakes. These streams, rivers and lakes are the main source of potable water in India. In India many toxic hazardous metals discharged into the river from mining industries, which leads many lethal diseases to human being. So the potable water quality is very significant and vital concern at present as it is related with the present and future health perspective of the human race. Awareness of health risks associated with unsafe water is still very low among the many rural and urban areas in India. Only about 7% of total Indian people using water purifier. This unhealthy situation of water is not only present in India but also present in many underdeveloped countries. The major reason behind this is the high cost of water purifier. This current study geared towards development of economical and efficient technology for the removal of maximum possible toxic metals and pathogen bacteria. The work involves the design of portable water purification system using iron impregnated activated carbon (coconut-shell) and other filtration materials. Objective of this work is the removal of iron and arsenic from the drinking water. This study comprises of three phases: a) In the first phase, Activated carbon made from coconut shell was impregnated with Fe3+.Then SEM analysis was done to know the texture, orientation and chemical composition of the impregnated activated carbon. Surface area of the impregnated activated carbon was done by BET (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) analysis. Iodine value, total pore value, methylene blue value was calculated by ASTM method. b) In second phase, Batch adsorption test was done by taking iron and arsenic sample. The result detailed batch adsorption results were discussed in this study. c) In the third phase, Design of filtration media was done using modified activated carbon, polypropylene filter cloth and manganese modified sand. Then iron and arsenic samples were filtered through the filter media and was analysed by AAS (atomic adsorption spectroscopy).