Application of activated carbon fiber and slow sand filtration for the development of low-cost household drinking water in rural area | |
| Author | He, Jingjing |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.WM-01-14 |
| Subject(s) | Water--Purification--Slow sand filtration Water--Purification--Filtration Carbon, Activated |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Slow sand filtration has been recognized as one of effective methods of drinking water production process in the rural area of developing countries. In this study, several series of experiments were conducted to investigate the performance of intermittently operated slow sand filter combined with Activated Carbon Fiber (ACF) for the production of safe drinking water. Basic experimental unit used in this study was an acrylic rectangular tank, 60cm in length, 20cm in width and 70cm in height. Five compartments were arranged in a way to maximize the effect of water treatment in one unit. Experimental run consisted of three phases: phase I using a fine sand diameter of 0.5 to l. l 8mm with ACF; phase II a using fine sand diameter of 0.5 to l.18mm without ACF; and phase III a using fine sand diameter less than l. l 8mm with ACF. The effects of ACF and different fine sand sizes on water filter performance were conducted in this study. Major water quality parameters were measured periodically during three phase experiments. Experimental results showed that the performance of water filter at phase III was superior to other phases using a fine sand diameter less than l.18mm with an activated carbon fiber and filtration flow rate 3L/min. It was found that this water filter was capable of removing more than 85 % suspended solids, 81 % turbidity, 93% Mn and 100% fecal coliform. From the phase I and III experiments, the activated carbon fiber was found to play an important role for the removal of color, COD, iron and manganese. Average removal efficiency for the respective water quality parameters at phase III were 82%, 85%, 91 % and 93%. For the removal efficiency at different stages of unit processes in this water system, further investigation demonstrated that 40% turbidity and 54% Mn could be removed by screening I biofim process, 60% fecal coliform by slow sand filtration and 27% color by activated carbon fiber adsorption. Throughout the overall operation of water filter, mature period was found to be 12 days. Water filter was able to run for 12 days to reach the breakthrough point (5NTU) at high influent turbidity (30NTU). From SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threaten) analysis, it is clearly shown that a water treatment system presents remarkable economical, practical and reliable values and has great potential for its use in rural area of developing countries. |
| Year | 2002 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology (SET) |
| Department | Department of Civil and Infrastucture Engineering (DCIE) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Water Engineering and Management (WM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Lee, Seung-Hwan |
| Examination Committee(s) | Gupta, Ashim Das ;Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh ;Shin, Eui-Cheol |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Deutsche Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2002 |