Title: Defluoridation of drinking water using metal embedded biocarbon technology

Authors: Malairajan Singanan

Addresses: PG and Research Department of Chemistry, Presidency College (Autonomous), Chennai – 600 005, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract: The water that circulates in contact with fluorinated ores is particularly rich in fluoride. The beneficial and the harmful effects of fluoride consumption are well documented. The dental and skeletal fluorosis is the widespread harmful effects of a long consumption of fluoride. WHO recommended level of fluoride in drinking water is 1.5 mg/L. Different methods have been tested for defluoridation of waters such as coagulation, adsorption, precipitation, ion exchange, reverse osmosis, and electrodialysis. The metal embedded biocarbon sorption method is promising in defluoridation of drinking water. The optimal operating conditions such as effect of contact time, effect of pH and effect of adsorbent dose for fluoride removal from aqueous solution using metal embedded biocarbon technology have been determined on synthetic wastewater. The temperature for the continuous mode of experiments was 27 ± 2°C. The result indicates that maximum removal (98%) of fluoride ion was achieved in 180 minutes. The amount of biocarbon dose is 2.0 g. The present results highlight the use of indigenous medicinal plants for the removal of fluoride in ground water. It is economically feasible option because of its bioavailability and its efficiency.

Keywords: drinking water; defluoridation; metal embedded biocarbon sorption; biosorption; Tridax procumbens; fluorinated ores; fluoride level; fluoride removal; aqueous solutions; wastewater treatment; indigenous medicinal plants; groundwater.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEE.2013.052904

International Journal of Environmental Engineering, 2013 Vol.5 No.2, pp.150 - 160

Accepted: 27 Dec 2011
Published online: 07 Nov 2013 *

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