Water Filter Essential for Purification of Drinking Water

Drinking Water Contamination: A Global Concern

Drinking water contamination is a pressing global issue, claiming 844 million lives, particularly among children, due to lack of access to safe drinking water (WHO, 2020). The World Health Organization (WHO) has established stringent standards for water quality to ensure it's safe for consumption. However, the reality is that 2 billion people globally lack access to safe drinking water (WHO, 2020).

Groundwater Contamination: A Growing Threat

The contamination of groundwater with wastewater from industries and cities creates an ideal breeding ground for pathogenic microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. 80% of wastewater globally is released into the environment without adequate treatment (UNESCO, 2020). These microbes can cause a range of waterborne diseases, including diarrhea, cholera, and jaundice, which can be fatal if left untreated.

The Devastating Consequences of Drinking Contaminated Aqua

The consequences of drinking contaminated liquids are severe. 1.8 million people die annually from waterborne diseases (WHO, 2020). Waterborne diseases can lead to debilitating illnesses, disabilities, and even death. It's imperative that we adopt effective measures to prevent water pollution and ensure access to safe, clean drinking Aqua.

Advanced Water Treatment Technologies: A Solution to the Problem

To mitigate the risks associated with drinking contaminated water, it's essential to employ advanced water treatment technologies, such as reverse osmosis, ultraviolet (UV) disinfection, and activated carbon filtration. 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, and parasites can be removed from water using these technologies (NSF International, 2020). These technologies can effectively remove pathogens, chemicals, and other contaminants from water, making it safe for human consumption.

Choosing the Right Water Processing System for Safe Drinking Water

To protect ourselves and ensure access to safe drinking water, using a water filter is an effective solution. However, with numerous options available, selecting the right one can be overwhelming. It's essential to gain knowledge about different types of purifiers to make an informed decision.

Types of Water Purifiers and Their Working Principles

1. Activated Carbon:

These use activated carbon, a highly porous material, to remove impurities and contaminants from water. Activated carbon candles are effective against chlorine, lead, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

2. Reverse Osmosis (RO):

RO filters use a semi-permeable membrane to remove impurities from liquid and effective against dissolved solids, bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

3. Ultraviolet (UV): 

UV filters use ultraviolet light to kill bacteria, viruses, and parasites. This technology is effective against microbiological contaminants.

4. Ceramic: 

These use ceramic elements with small pores to remove impurities from water. These are effective against bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

5. Ion Exchange: 

Ion exchange filters use resins to remove impurities from water. This technology is effective against dissolved solids and heavy metals.

Materials of Construction of Water Processing Systems:

1. Stainless Steel: A durable and corrosion-resistant material.

2. Plastic: A cost-effective, but may crack and corrode.

3. Ceramic: A durable and non-toxic material.

4. Carbon Steel: A cost-effective material, but may be prone to corrosion.

What to Consider When Choosing a Purifier

1. Contaminant Removal:

Consider the types of contaminants present in your water supply and choose a system that can effectively remove them.

2. Flow Rate:

Choose a device with a flow rate that meets your needs.

3. Maintenance: 

Consider the maintenance requirements of the filter, including replacement costs and frequency.

4. Certifications: 

Look for water cleanser that have been certified by reputable organizations, such as NSF International or the Water Quality Association.

Essential Components of an Aquatic Filter

When shopping for a water filter or purifier, it's crucial to ensure it contains the following minimum components to provide healthy drinking water:

1. Carbon Pad: Removes chlorine, taste, and odor impurities.

2. UV Chamber: Kills bacteria, viruses, and parasites using ultraviolet light.

3. Micron Filter Chamber: Removes particulate matter, sediment, and other impurities.

4. Chlorinator: Disinfects water by adding chlorine or other disinfectants.

5. Water Polisher: Removes any remaining impurities, improving water taste and quality.

New Advanced Cleanser: Are They Worth the Investment?

Recently, new advanced water filters have emerged on the market, boasting innovative technologies and improved performance. However, it's essential to note that:

- Their effectiveness is still being tested and validated.

- They often come with a higher price tag.

Before investing in one of these advanced filters, consider the following:

- Do you really need the additional features and benefits?

- Are the claims made by the manufacturer backed by scientific evidence?

- Is the higher cost justified by the improved performance?

Groundwater Filtration Solution

If you have a groundwater facility with physical impurities and no bacterial contaminants, consider a cleanser with the following components:

Essential Components

• Cotton and Carbon Pad: Removes particulate matter, sediment, and impurities that affect taste and odor.
• 0.3-Micron Filter: Captures remaining particulate matter, ensuring water clarity and purity.
• Chlorinator: Dissolves chlorine in water, forming hypochlorous acid (ClO-) as a disinfectant.
• Water Polisher: Enhances water quality, removing any remaining impurities and improving taste.

Maintenance and Materials

To ensure optimal performance and prevent bacterial growth:

1. Clean the filter chamber every 2 months.

2. Use stainless steel components for water storage and handling, avoiding plastic materials.

Let's see the impurities that are to be removed from the water and discuss methods used to obtain safe drinking water:

1. Hardness impurities which are the dissolved salts of calcium and magnesium
 

Temporary or carbonate hardness: which is said in that the water which contains calcium and magnesium bicarbonate, and these can be reduced by boiling to precipitate insoluble carbonate. This treatment forms sediment at bottom of the container.

Permanent or non-carbonate hardness: the same calcium and magnesium but with sulphates and chlorides from a permanent hardness in water. These can be removed by chemical reaction or ion exchange

2. Other Aqua impurities

Gases- air, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide

Insoluble matter causing turbidity

Soluble colour compounds

Pathogenic organisms

Nitrification and De-nitrification processes are used to effectively remove nitrogen in any type of water.

Aquatic filter Performance Variables

1. Filtration Rate (Q): 100-500 L/h

2. Pressure Drop (ΔP): 0.5-2.5 bar

3. Cleanser Area (A): 0.1-0.5 m²

4. Fluid Viscosity (μ): 0.001-0.01 Pa·s

5. Filter Thickness (L): 0.1-0.5 m

6. Particle Diameter (d): 0.1-10 μm

7. Chlorine Dose (Cl₂): 0.1-1.0 mg/L

8. Activated Carbon Adsorption Capacity (CA): 0.1-1.0 mg/g

Clarifier Performance Metrics

1. Effluent Quality (EQ): measured in terms of turbidity, pH, and bacterial count

2. Filter Run Time (FRT): time between strainer replacements or cleaning

3. Head Loss (HL): pressure drop across the system

Water Clarifier Performance Plots

To design a domestic Aqua filtration system the following is considered: 

System Components

1. Sediment Filter

    1. Pore size: 5-10 μm

    2. Material: Polypropylene (PP)

2. Activated Carbon Filter

    1. Pore size: 1-2 μm

    2. Material: Coconut shell activated carbon

3. Reverse Osmosis (RO) Membrane

    1. Pore size: 0.0001 μm

    2. Material: Thin-Film Composite (TFC) membrane

4. UV Disinfection

    1. Wavelength: 254 nm

    2. Intensity: 30 mW/cm²

5. Storage Tank

    1. Capacity: 10-20 L

    2. Material: Food-grade stainless steel or plastic

Input Water Parameters

1. Flow Rate: 1-5 L/min

2. Pressure: 1-5 bar

3. Temperature: 10-30°C

4. pH: 6-8

5. Turbidity: 0.1-10 NTU

6. Contaminant Levels: variable (e.g., chlorine, heavy metals, bacteria)

Output Stream Parameters

1. Flow Rate: 1-5 L/min

2. Pressure: 1-5 bar

3. Temperature: 10-30°C

4. pH: 6-8

5. Turbidity: <0.1 NTU

6. Contaminant Levels: <1% of input levels

Control and Monitoring Systems

1. Clarifier Replacement Indicator: alerts user when filters need replacement

2. UV Lamp Replacement Indicator: alerts the user when the UV lamp needs replacement

3. System Shut-Off Valve: shuts off water supply in case of malfunction or contamination detection

4. Pressure Gauge: monitors system pressure

5. Flow Rate Meter: monitors system flow rate

Filter Performance Model Equation

RE = (1 - (ΔP / ΔP_max)) * (Q / Q_min) * (FL / FL_max) * (1 - (d / d_max)) * (A / A_min) * (L / L_min)

Where:

- RE = Removal Efficiency (%)

- ΔP = Pressure Drop (Pa)

- ΔP_max = Maximum Pressure Drop (Pa)

- Q = Flow Rate (L/min)

- Q_min = Minimum Flow Rate (L/min)

- FL = Filter Life (days)

- FL_max = Maximum Filter Life (days)

- d = Filter Grain Size (mm)

- d_max = Maximum Filter Grain Size (mm)

- A = Filter Bed Area (m²)

- A_min = Minimum Filter Bed Area (m²)

- L = Filter Bed Depth (m)

- L_min = Minimum Filter Bed Depth (m)

ΔP (Pa):
ΔP_max (Pa):
Q (m³/h):
Q_min (m³/h):
FL (h):
FL_max (h):
d (m):
d_max (m):
A (m²):
A_min (m²):
L (m):
L_min (m):