Experimental research on removal of iron and ammonium ions from groundwater by natural silica sand

Abstract

An experimental study of the removal of iron and ammonium ions from groundwater by natural silica sand was carried out. Coarse sand particles were used (0.7–2.0 mm): the silica sand filter medium being 750 mm heigh. Silica sand material was washed and dried at 105 °C in an oven before using it in the filter bed; 500 l of groundwater artificially polluted with iron sulphate and ammonium chloride solutions passed through the filter charged with silica sand. The best removal of iron compounds from the water solution was obtained by using a filter medium 1 m high with the finest silica sand. Iron removal efficiency was 95% using coarse silica sand. The highest ammonium removal efficiency (94%) was achieved using 0.7–2.0 mm silica sand.