Defluoridation of water by Ce-Ti hybrid oxide nanoparticles

In the present work, Ce-Ti and Ce-Ti/Fe3O4 hybrid oxides were prepared by co-precipitation method and then characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques. The nano-adsorbents were applied to remove fluoride (with the concentration range of 10–30 mg L−1) from aqueous solution, reaching the adsorption equilibrium within 30–60 minutes. Practically, the fluoride removal onto both nanomaterials was efficient at the neutral pH (pH 5–7) and obeyed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm with the maximum adsorption capacities of 22.78 mg g–1 (Ce-Ti) and 20.28 mg g–1 (Ce-Ti/Fe3O4) at room temperature.

Fixed bed column performance of tinospora cordifolia for defluoridation of water

A continuous adsorption study in a fixed-bed column was carried out by using Tinospora cordifolia as an adsorbent for the removal of fluoride from aqueous solution. The effect of flow rate, influent fluoride concentration and bed depth on the adsorption characteristics of adsorbent was investigated at pH 7. The dependencies of breakthrough curves on these parameters were confirmed from the data obtained. Modeling of data was done. Thomas, Yoon–Nelson and Adams–Bohart models were applied to experimental data to predict the breakthrough curves. These kinetic models were helpful to determine the characteristic parameters of column designing for defluoridation on a large scale. Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models were found to be more suitable for the description of the breakthrough curve than the Adams–Bohart model in the present study. It was concluded that the Tinospora cordifolia-packed column can be used for effective defluoridation of water.

Volcanic Rock Materials for Defluoridation of Water in Fixed-Bed Column Systems

Consumption of drinking water with a high concentration of fluoride (>1.5 mg/L) causes detrimental health problems and is a challenging issue in various regions around the globe. In this study, a continuous fixed-bed column adsorption system was employed for defluoridation of water using volcanic rocks, virgin pumice (VPum) and virgin scoria (VSco), as adsorbents. The XRD, SEM, FTIR, BET, XRF, ICP-OES, and pH Point of Zero Charges (pHPZC) analysis were performed for both adsorbents to elucidate the adsorption mechanisms and the suitability for fluoride removal. The effects of particle size of adsorbents, solution pH, and flow rate on the adsorption performance of the column were assessed at room temperature, constant initial concentration, and bed depth. The maximum removal capacity of 110 mg/kg for VPum and 22 mg/kg for VSco were achieved at particle sizes of 0.075–0.425 mm and <0.075 mm, respectively, at a low solution pH (2.00) and flow rate (1.25 mL/min). The fluoride breakthrough occurred late and the treated water volume was higher at a low pH and flow rate for both adsorbents. The Thomas and Adams–Bohart models were utilized and fitted well with the experimental kinetic data and the entire breakthrough curves for both adsorbents. Overall, the results revealed that the developed column is effective in handling water containing excess fluoride. Additional testing of the adsorbents including regeneration options is, however, required to confirm that the defluoridation of groundwater employing volcanic rocks is a safe and sustainable method.