The NitRem process for nitrate removal from drinking water

A. F. Miquel of Otto Oeko-Tech looks at potential water treatment technologies that are able to remove nitrates from drinking water and details the way in which the development of nitrate selective membranes has resulted in the adaptation of electrodialysis and the development of the Nitrem process.     

Noise removal from image data using recursive neurofuzzy filters

Neurofuzzy approaches are very promising for nonlinear filtering of noisy images. An original network topology is presented in this work to cope with different noise distributions and mixed noise as well. The multiple-output structure is based on recursive processing. It is able to adapt the filtering action to different kinds of corrupting noise. Fuzzy reasoning embedded into the network structure aims at reducing errors when fine details are processed. Genetic learning yields the appropriate set of network parameters from a collection of training data. Experimental results show that the proposed neurofuzzy technique is very effective and performs significantly better than well-known conventional methods in the literature     

Ammonia and iron removal from drinking water with clinoptilolite tuff

Field experiments were carried out for removal of ammonium and iron ions from drinking water containing high amounts of humic acids and dissolved gases. Three ion exchange columns filled with sodium form clinoptilolite (particle size: 0.5–1.0 mm), were connected in series. The ammonia content of the influent drinking water was ∼10 mg dm⁻³ and the 0.5 mg NH₃-N/dm³ breakthrough concentration was kept. The iron content ranged between 0.70–0.90 mg dm⁻³ and 0.05 mg Fe/dm³ was chosen as a limit for good quality drinking water. In a 90 h continuous experiment about 3.24 m³ drinking water was purified by three 4 dm³ bed volume, 9.5 cm ID × 92 cm ion exchange columns. The ammonia ion exchange capacity was about 3 mg NH₃-N/g zeolite. The natural zeolite contained only 46% clinoptilolite. For regeneration, 50 dm³ (12.5 BV) regenerant was used. After backwashing with 10 BV ammonia-free water, the freshly regenerated column was placed to the end of the series in service. Design and construction of a pilot-plant unit, including a 50 m³/day capacity ion-exchange system, is suggested.     

Chlorination byproducts, their toxicodynamics and removal from drinking water

No doubt that chlorination has been successfully used for the control of water borne infections diseases for more than a century. However identification of chlorination byproducts (CBPs) and incidences of potential health hazards created a major issue on the balancing of the toxicodynamics of the chemical species and risk from pathogenic microbes in the supply of drinking water. There have been epidemiological evidences of close relationship between its exposure and adverse outcomes particularly the cancers of vital organs in human beings. Halogenated trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) are two major classes of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) commonly found in waters disinfected with chlorine. The total concentration of trihalomethanes and the formation of individual THM species in chlorinated water strongly depend on the composition of the raw water, on operational parameters and on the occurrence of residual chlorine in the distribution system. Attempts have been made to develop predictive models to establish the production and kinetics of THM formations. These models may be useful for operational purposes during water treatment and water quality management. It is also suggested to explore some biomarkers for determination of DBP production. Various methods have been suggested which include adsorption on activated carbons, coagulation with polymer, alum, lime or iron, sulfates, ion exchange and membrane process for the removal of DBPs. Thus in order to reduce the public health risk from these toxic compounds regulation must be inforced for the implementation of guideline values to lower the allowable concentrations or exposure.     

Combined electrocoagulation and electroflotation for removal of fluoride from drinking water

A combined electrocoagulation (EC) and electroflotation (EF) process was proposed to remove fluoride from drinking water. Its efficacy was investigated under different conditions. Experimental results showed that the combined process could remove fluoride effectively. The total hydraulic retention time required was only 30 min. After treatment, the fluoride concentration was reduced from initial 4.0-6.0mg/L to lower than 1.0mg/L. The influent pH value was found to be a very important variable that affected fluoride removal significantly. The optimal influent pH range is 6.0-7.0 at which not only can effective defluoridation be achieved, but also no pH readjustment is needed after treatment. In addition, it was found that SO(4)(2-) had negative effect; Ca(2+) had positive effect; while Cl(-) had little effect on the fluoride removal. The EC charge loading, EF charge loading and energy consumption were 3.0 Faradays/m(3), 1.5 Faradays/m(3), and 1.2 kWh/m(3), respectively, under typical conditions where fluoride was reduced from initial 4.0 to 0.87 mg/L.     

膜混凝反应器除砷

用国产中空纤维膜组件,研究膜混凝反应器小试规模条件下的除砷效果.结果表明:膜混凝反应器的除砷效果良好,砷的去除率高达92.8%～98.2%,可使原水中As(V)的浓度从100 μg/L左右降至10μg/L以下,出水平均舍砷4.40μg/L,完全满足城市供水水质标准的要求;膜污染是导致膜比通量下降的主要原因,铁盐对膜污染的贡献较小,膜污染主要是有机物污染,占总量的67.2%;通过物理清洗和化学清洗可使膜比通量恢复到新膜的87.8%.     

Insights into isotherm making in the sorptive removal of fluoride from drinking water

The defluoridation research has thrown up many technologies, with adsorption as a popular alternative, especially among fluoride endemic habitations of the developing world. In the endeavor to develop novel adsorbents for defluoridation, the adsorption potential of hardened alumina cement granules (ALC) were examined through isotherm fitting. Though the adsorbent showed enhanced adsorption capacity at higher fluoride concentration ranges, the errors associated with linearization in isotherm fitting were also found to be increasing. The propagation of these errors was more prominent in Dubinin-Radushkevich and Langmuir models but negligible in Freundlich. The chi2 analysis, used to correlate the equilibrium experimental data and the isotherm models, also suggested poor correlations at higher fluoride concentration ranges for all the models. The procedure of linear and nonlinear regression through optimization of error functions rendered the 'best-fit' model and optimum model parameters, through sum of normalized error (SNE) values. Though ALC exhibited maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 34.36 mgg(-1) in concentration variation studies of fluoride in the range of 2.5-100 mg l(-1) in synthetic water, it got reduced to 10.215 mgg(-1) in dose variation studies and further to 0.9358 mgg(-1) in natural ground water. Though Langmuir appeared as the best-fit model in terms of R2 in synthetic studies of different fluoride concentrations, the procedure of linear and nonlinear regression demonstrated that Freundlich was the best-fit. The nonlinear chi2 analysis together with minimum SNE values convincingly demonstrated that the equilibrium studies with dose variations of ALC offers more reliable isotherm parameters than those with high fluoride concentrations. The sorption of fluoride by ALC appeared endothermic with Freundlich adsorption capacity parameter increased from 0.5589 to 0.9939 lg(-1) in natural water and 3.980-7.5198 lg(-1) in synthetic water systems for a rise in temperature from 290 to 310 K. The study deviates from conventional methodologies of relying solely on R2 values in selecting 'best-fit' isotherm model, and basically demonstrates how the optimum model parameters like 'adsorption capacity' evolves through linear and nonlinear regression using error functions.     

A combined treatment approach using Fenton's reagent and zero valent iron for the removal of arsenic from drinking water

Studies on the development of an arsenic remediation approach using Fenton's reagent (H2O2 and Fe(II)) followed by passage through zero valent iron is reported. The efficiency of the process was investigated under various operating conditions. Potable municipal water and ground water samples spiked with arsenic(III) and (V) were used in the investigations. The arsenic content was determined by ICP-QMS. A HPLC-ICPMS procedure was used for the speciation and determination of both As(III) and (V) in the processed samples, to study the effectiveness of the oxidation step and the subsequent removal of the arsenic.The optimisation studies indicate that addition of 100 microl of H2O2 and 100 mg of Fe(II) (as ferrous ammonium sulphate) per litre of water for initial treatment followed by passing through zero valent iron, after a reaction time of 10 min, is capable of removing arsenic to lower than the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guideline value of 10 microg/l, from a starting concentration of 2 mg/l of As(III). Using these suggested amounts, several experiments were carried out at different concentrations of As(III). Residual hydrogen peroxide in the processed samples can be eliminated by subsequent chlorination, making the water, thus, processed, suitable for drinking purposes. This approach is simple and cost effective for use at community levels.     

Phosphate removal from water using lithium intercalated gibbsite

In this study, lithium intercalated gibbsite (LIG) was investigated for its effectiveness at removing phosphate from water and the mechanisms involved. LIG was prepared through intercalating LiCl into gibbsite giving a structure of [LiAl2(OH)6]+ layers with interlayer Cl- and water. The results of batch adsorption experiments showed that the adsorption isotherms at various pHs exhibited an L-shape and could be fitted well using the Langmuir model. The Langmuir adsorption maximum was determined to be 3.0 mmol g(-1) at pH 4.5 and decreased with increasing pH. The adsorption of phosphate was mainly through the displacement of the interlayer Cl- ions in LIG. In conjunction with the anion exchange reaction, the formation of surface complexes or precipitates could also readily occur at lower pH. The adsorption decreased with increasing pH due to decreased H(2)PO(4)(-)/HPO4(2-) molar ratio in solution and positive charges on the edge faces of LIG. Anion exchange is a fast reaction and can be completed within minutes; on the contrary, surface complexation is a slow process and requires days to reach equilibrium. At lower pH, the amount of adsorbed phosphate decreased significantly as the ionic strength was increased from 0.01 to 0.1M. The adsorption at higher pH showed high selectivity toward divalent HPO4(2-) ions with an increase in ionic strength having no considerable effect on the phosphate adsorption. These results suggest that LIG may be an effective scavenger for removal of phosphate from water.     

Heavy metal removal from copper smelting effluent using electrochemical cylindrical flow reactor

The purpose of this study is mainly to evaluate the performance of the continuous recirculation flow cell at low current density and pH (the pH at which the effluents are available) in removing heavy metals from copper smelting effluent by cathodic reduction. During the electrolysis at different pH, % removal of heavy metals removal, energy consumption and heterogeneous reaction rate constants were investigated at given flow rate and current density on the selected industrial effluent. The overall specific energy consumption at the pH 0.64 was observed to be lowest, which is 10.99kWh/kg of heavy metal removal.     

Adsorption of arsenic species from water using activated siderite-hematite column filters

Arsenic is present at relatively high concentrations in surface water and groundwater as a result of both natural impacts and anthropogenic discharge, which requires proper treatment before use. The present study describes As adsorption on a siderite-hematite filter as a function of activating condition, empty bed contact time, and As species. Hydrogen peroxide activating increased As adsorption on siderite by 16.2 microg/g, and on hematite by 13.0 microg/g. The H2O2 conditioning enhanced adsorption efficiency of activated siderite-hematite filters up to throughput of 500 pore volumes of 500 microg/L As water. At values greater than 47 min, the empty bed contact time (EBCT) had only a weak influence on the removal capacity of pristine siderite-hematite filters. Due to the formation of fresh Fe(III)-oxide layer in the H2O2-conditioned filter and the pristine hematite-siderite filter, both of them may be utilized as a cost-effective reactor for treating As water. A toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) test showed that the spent minerals were not hazardous and could be safely landfilled.     

Adsorption and removal of arsenic(V) from drinking water by aluminum-loaded Shirasu-zeolite

The demand for effective and inexpensive adsorbents is to increase in response to the widespread recognition of the deleterious health effects of arsenic exposure through drinking water. A novel adsorbent, aluminum-loaded Shirasu-zeolite P1 (Al-SZP1), was prepared and employed for the adsorption and removal of arsenic(V) (As(V)) ion from aqueous system. The process of adsorption follows first-order kinetics and the adsorption behavior is fitted with a Freundlich isotherm. The adsorption of As(V) is slightly dependent on the initial pH over a wide range (3-10). Al-SZP1 was found with a high As(V) adsorption ability, equivalent to that of activated alumina, and seems to be especially suitable for removal of As(V) in low concentration. The addition of arsenite, chloride, nitrate, sulfate, chromate, and acetate ions hardly affected the As(V) adsorption, whereas the coexisting phosphate greatly interfered with the adsorption. The adsorption mechanism is supposed as a ligand-exchange process between As(V) ions and the hydroxide groups present on the surface of Al-SZP1. The adsorbed As(V) ions were desorbed effectively by a 40 mM NaOH solution. Continuous operation was demonstrated in a column packed with Al-SZP1. The feasibility of this technique to practical utilization was also assessed by adsorption/desorption multiple cycles with in situ desorption/regeneration operation.     

Enhanced paraquat removal from contaminated water using cell-immobilized biochar

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy - The efficient performance of cell-immobilized biochar in removing paraquat (PQ) from contaminated water is described in this work. Pseudomonas putida...     

Simultaneous removal of odor and particulate using plasma-treated polymer filters

Polymer filters treated by plasma-assisted graft polymerization (PG), nonthermal plasma (NTP) and PG followed by NTP treatment are developed for use as multifunctional filters that can simultaneously remove odor and particulate. A NTP-treated filter can adsorb a large amount of a typical odor component, ammonia (NH₃). However, the performance of the NTP-treated filter deteriorates significantly after one month whereas that of a PG followed by NTP-treated filter deteriorates only slightly. The particulate collection efficiency of a both-side PG-treated filter is higher than that of an untreated filter whereas that of the NTP-treated filter is slightly lower.     

Arsenic removal from water/wastewater using adsorbents--A critical review

Arsenic's history in science, medicine and technology has been overshadowed by its notoriety as a poison in homicides. Arsenic is viewed as being synonymous with toxicity. Dangerous arsenic concentrations in natural waters is now a worldwide problem and often referred to as a 20th-21st century calamity. High arsenic concentrations have been reported recently from the USA, China, Chile, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Mexico, Argentina, Poland, Canada, Hungary, Japan and India. Among 21 countries in different parts of the world affected by groundwater arsenic contamination, the largest population at risk is in Bangladesh followed by West Bengal in India. Existing overviews of arsenic removal include technologies that have traditionally been used (oxidation, precipitation/coagulation/membrane separation) with far less attention paid to adsorption. No previous review is available where readers can get an overview of the sorption capacities of both available and developed sorbents used for arsenic remediation together with the traditional remediation methods. We have incorporated most of the valuable available literature on arsenic remediation by adsorption ( approximately 600 references). Existing purification methods for drinking water; wastewater; industrial effluents, and technological solutions for arsenic have been listed. Arsenic sorption by commercially available carbons and other low-cost adsorbents are surveyed and critically reviewed and their sorption efficiencies are compared. Arsenic adsorption behavior in presence of other impurities has been discussed. Some commercially available adsorbents are also surveyed. An extensive table summarizes the sorption capacities of various adsorbents. Some low-cost adsorbents are superior including treated slags, carbons developed from agricultural waste (char carbons and coconut husk carbons), biosorbents (immobilized biomass, orange juice residue), goethite and some commercial adsorbents, which include resins, gels, silica, treated silica tested for arsenic removal come out to be superior. Immobilized biomass adsorbents offered outstanding performances. Desorption of arsenic followed by regeneration of sorbents has been discussed. Strong acids and bases seem to be the best desorbing agents to produce arsenic concentrates. Arsenic concentrate treatment and disposal obtained is briefly addressed. This issue is very important but much less discussed.     

Heavy metal removal from water by sorption using surfactant-modified montmorillonite

Removal of Cu2+ and Zn2+ from aqueous solutions by sorption on the montmorillonite modified with sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) was investigated. Experiments were carried out as a function of solution pH, solute concentration, and temperature (25-55 degrees C). The Dubinin-Kaganer-Radushkevick model was adopted to describe the single-solute sorption isotherms. Also, the binary-solute sorption equilibria could be reasonably predicted by the competitive Langmuir model, in which the Langmuir parameters were directly taken from those obtained in single-solute systems. The thermodynamic parameters (DeltaH(o) and DeltaS(o)) for Cu2+ and Zn2+ sorption on the modified clay were also determined from the temperature dependence. The kinetics of metal ions sorption was examined and the pseudo-first-order rate constant was finally evaluated.     

Synthesis and characterization of a mesoporous hydrous zirconium oxide used for arsenic removal from drinking water

Powder (20-50 μm) mesoporous hydrous zirconium oxide was prepared from a zirconium salt granular precursor. The effect of some process parameters on product morphology, porous structure and adsorption performance has been studied. The use of hydrous zirconium oxide for selective arsenic removal from drinking water is discussed.     

Effect of competitive ions on the arsenic removal by mesoporous hydrous zirconium oxide from drinking water

Adsorption properties of 302-type commercially available hydrous zirconium oxide (302-HZO) towards arsenic and some competitive anions and cations have been studied under batch and column conditions. Due to amphoteric properties, anion exchange performance of hydrous zirconium oxide is pH dependent. Media exhibits high affinity towards arsenic in a broad pH range, with high adsorption capacity at pH < 8. It was shown that silicate and phosphate ions are arsenic's main competitors affecting media adsorption capacity. Presence of transition metal cations in <1 ppm does not affect 302-HZO capacity on arsenic, whereas alkaline-earth cations improve arsenic removal. The possibility for significant increase of 302-HZO adsorption capacity on arsenic at pH > 8 by using “solid acidifier” technique is discussed. Results of 302-HZO field trials are presented.