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An improved method for defluoridation.
Ganesh I Muthu1, V Vinodhini, G Padmapriya
1Department of Civil Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Deemed University, Vellore 632014, Tamil Nadu.
Indian Journal of Environmental Health
|January 16, 2004
Summary
Poly Aluminium Chloride (PAC) effectively removes fluoride from drinking water, achieving 75-85% efficiency. This study compared PAC to the Nalgonda Technique, finding PAC superior for fluoride remediation in contaminated water sources.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Water Treatment Technologies
- Public Health
Background:
- Fluoride in drinking water poses health risks and is a global concern.
- The World Health Organisation (WHO) sets the international standard for fluoride in drinking water at 1.5 ppm.
- Contaminated groundwater in Tamil Nadu, India, necessitates effective fluoride removal strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of Poly Aluminium Chloride (PAC) in removing fluoride from drinking water.
- To compare the performance of PAC with the established Nalgonda Technique for fluoride remediation.
- To investigate the factors influencing fluoride removal efficiency using PAC.
Main Methods:
- Collected 30 bore well water samples from fluoride-affected villages in Tamil Nadu, India.
- Evaluated Poly Aluminium Chloride (PAC) as a coagulant for fluoride removal.
- Compared the results with the Nalgonda Technique, which uses Alum (Al2SO4)3.
Main Results:
- Poly Aluminium Chloride (PAC) demonstrated high fluoride removal efficiency, ranging from 75% to 85%.
- PAC achieved significant fluoride reduction in shorter detention times compared to conventional methods.
- Fluoride removal effectiveness was found to be dependent on the initial fluoride concentration and the dosage of PAC.
Conclusions:
- Poly Aluminium Chloride (PAC) is a highly effective coagulant for removing fluoride from contaminated drinking water.
- PAC offers a more efficient and potentially faster alternative to the Nalgonda Technique for water defluoridation.
- Optimizing PAC dosage and considering initial fluoride levels are crucial for maximizing removal efficiency.