Membrane Assisted Defluoridation Process for Safe Drinking Water

Introduction

India is one among 25 nations in the world where fluorosis problem is persisting due to consumption of excess fluoride bearing drinking water. In affected areas fluoride concentration in ground water is found ranging from 1.5 to 39 ppm which is more than permissible limits (<1ppm). It is observed that 30 % districts are affected in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Bihar, whereas 50% districts in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are affected by fluorosis. Fluoride in ground or surface water is a result of natural deposits or from industrial/mining contamination.

The membrane assisted sorption process for removal of fluoride from ground/surface water provide safe drinking water and solves the serious problem of aluminium contamination in the product water coming after defluoridation unit, which is more harmful than fluoride. Therefore, by this process it is providing water not only free from fluoride but also free from secondary contaminants like aluminium and microorganisms which will be removed by ultrafiltration membrane. It is a simple, cost effective, adoptable at both domestic and community level and having capability of high decontamination.

* UF Membrane Unit shown in above fig. is a part of process. It is a separate technology available with BARC for transfer.

Advantages

• It requires minimum contact time for maximum defluoridation.
  
• Defluoridation capacity at neutral pH is appreciable.
  
• Its defluoridation capacity is independent of temperature.
  
• Production of safe drinking water not only free from fluoride but also free from
• secondary contaminants like aluminium and microorganisms.
  
• It can be operated with/without the use of electricity.
  

Applications

This technology is extremely useful for removal of fluoride from ground/surface water to provide safe drinking water free from primary contaminant like fluoride as well as secondary contaminants like aluminium and microorganisms.
Technology can be adopted at both domestic and community level and may work without electricity.

For further information please contact :

Bhabha Atomic Research Centre,
Trombay, Mumbai- 400 085
Tel : 091-022-25505337/25593897
Fax : 091-022-25505151
Email : headttcd@barc.gov.in