Ceramic water filters (CWFs) are point-of-use devices mostly used in developing countries as a result of their effectiveness in the treatment of household water. However, there is a dearth of knowledge on the metal ions adsorption... more
Ceramic water filters (CWFs) are point-of-use devices mostly used in developing countries as a result of their effectiveness in the treatment of household water. However, there is a dearth of knowledge on the metal ions adsorption behavior of the filter materials. Therefore, this study investigates the adsorption behavior of the divalent metal ions using commercially available ceramic water filters as adsorbents, in a batch experiment and compared the data, to the extent of metal ion removal during filtration. The ceramic water filters were characterized with x-ray fluorescence spectrometer, x-ray powder diffractometer and fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometer. An adsorption batch experiment was conducted and filtration experiments were performed to determine the extent of divalent metal ions removed. The results of the study showed that divalent metal ions were adsorbed efficiently by ceramic water filters. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model best described the kinetic behavior of metal ion removal process. The extent of adsorption of ceramic water filters was in the range: 7.015-335.77 mgg −1. The adsorption patterns fitted the Freundlich isotherm model while the entropy, enthalpy, and Gibbs free energy, indicate that the processes for all CWF-adsorbents are endothermic, feasible and spontaneous. The kinetic and thermodynamic behavior of CWFadsorbents indicate that the mechanism of the sorption process is chemisorption. There was a significant difference in the amount of divalent metal ions adsorbed in batch experiments compared to filtration experiments for ceramic water filter materials (Pot filter and candle filter). The metal ions adsorption potentials of ceramic water filters are found to be rate dependent; hence the rate of filtration must be of concern to manufacturers.
Research Interests:
Ceramic water filters (CWFs) are globally employed as a point-of-use water treatment technology. Although, there are no standards to regulate the use of these CWFs in developing countries, they are gaining acceptability for domestic water... more
Ceramic water filters (CWFs) are globally employed as a point-of-use water treatment technology. Although, there are no standards to regulate the use of these CWFs in developing countries, they are gaining acceptability for domestic water treatment. This study sought to assess and compare the efficiency of commercially available types of CWFs and to propose a consumer selection guide for the purchase and use of CWFs. The CWFs selected for the study were, Ball filter with activated carbon (BF + AC), Candle filter (CF), and Pot filter (PFcs) coated with colloidal silver. The elemental and mineral oxide composition of the selected CWFs were analysed with x-ray fluorescence method. Furthermore, the raw unfiltered water (from three different common sources), and the filtrates obtained with the CWFs were analysed for their physicochemical, metal ion removability, and microbial correction. The x-ray fluorescence analysis indicated that Al 2 O 3 and SiO 2 were the major mineral oxide compositions of the selected CWFs. These metal oxides were present in varying concentrations. The CWFs showed turbidity reduction of 74.28-99.40%, Mn and Fe reduction of 54.04-98.48% and 48.82-97.50% respectively. In addition, the total coliform reduction by the selected CWFs ranged from 2.31 to 76.97%. It was therefore observed from the results that, the efficiency of commercially available CWFs varied in the order BF + AC > CF > PFcs. BF + AC was the most efficient in both physicochemical and microbial correction of all water sources. CWF selection guide for consumers based on different sources of water which considered the physicochemical parameters, biological parameters and Water Quality Index was discussed. This has an implication for regulation and standardization of CWFs.
Research Interests:
Ceramic water filters (CWFs) are globally employed as a point-of-use water treatment technology. Although, there are no standards to regulate the use of these CWFs in developing countries, they are gaining acceptability for domestic water... more
Ceramic water filters (CWFs) are globally employed as a point-of-use water treatment technology. Although, there are no standards to regulate the use of these CWFs in developing countries, they are gaining acceptability for domestic water treatment. This study sought to assess and compare the efficiency of commercially available types of CWFs and to propose a consumer selection guide for the purchase and use of CWFs. The CWFs selected for the study were, Ball filter with activated carbon (BF + AC), Candle filter (CF), and Pot filter (PFcs) coated with colloidal silver. The elemental and mineral oxide composition of the selected CWFs were analysed with x-ray fluorescence method. Furthermore, the raw unfiltered water (from three different common sources), and the filtrates obtained with the CWFs were analysed for their physicochemical, metal ion removability, and microbial correction. The x-ray fluorescence analysis indicated that Al 2 O 3 and SiO 2 were the major mineral oxide compositions of the selected CWFs. These metal oxides were present in varying concentrations. The CWFs showed turbidity reduction of 74.28-99.40%, Mn and Fe reduction of 54.04-98.48% and 48.82-97.50% respectively. In addition, the total coliform reduction by the selected CWFs ranged from 2.31 to 76.97%. It was therefore observed from the results that, the efficiency of commercially available CWFs varied in the order BF + AC > CF > PFcs. BF + AC was the most efficient in both physicochemical and microbial correction of all water sources. CWF selection guide for consumers based on different sources of water which considered the physicochemical parameters, biological parameters and Water Quality Index was discussed. This has an implication for regulation and standardization of CWFs.