Water Filters Research Articles

Are Water Filters Effective Against Microplastics?

Are Water Filters Effective Against Microplastics?

The effect of water filter pitchers on the mineral concentration of tap water.

To investigate the effect of water filter pitchers on the concentration of different minerals in tap water. Nine water filter pitchers (A-I) were chosen based on consumer preferences and Amazon reviews. Each filter was tested for its ability to modify the concentrations of fluoride, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium in tap water. Tap water samples were collected before and after filtration, at various intervals (1, 5, 10, 30, 50, 75, and 100 L) during filtration, and analyzed using an ion-specific electrode (fluoride) and atomic absorption spectrometry (other minerals). Statistical analyses were conducted to compare filtered and unfiltered water mineral concentrations. Water filter pitcher effect: Filters F (p < 0.001) and G (p = 0.030) decreased fluoride concentrations. All filters except I (p = 0.235) and H (p = 0.717) decreased calcium concentrations (p < 0.01). Filters E (p = 0.018), D (p = 0.014), and G (p = 0.010) decreased magnesium concentrations. Filters I (p = 0.028) and D (p = 0.009) increased potassium concentrations. Filter A (p = 0.002) increased sodium concentrations, while C (p = 0.034) decreased sodium concentrations. Effect of filter aging: All filters affected mineral concentrations over time but to varying extents. Filter G had the most pronounced effect on reducing mineral concentrations compared to all others. No filter was able to completely remove fluoride from tap water, contrary to the claims made by three manufacturers. The present study highlighted that water filter pitchers vary greatly in their ability to affect mineral concentrations in tap water during their use. Further research is needed to develop more effective water treatment solutions.

PERENCANAAN RUMAH TAHFIDZPRENEUR DI DESA CIBADAK, CARIU, BOGOR, JAWA BARAT, INDONESIA

Rumah Tahfidzpreneur Annur in Cibadak Village, Cariu, Bogor, West Java requires assistance in the planning process. This community service is motivated by the society's intention to build a tahfidz facility on land of approximately 5,200 m2 in Cibadak Village, Cariu, Bogor. The land is located in a residential area that is ideal for building a Tahfidz House. Rumah Tahfidzpreneur Annur will be built with guesthouse dormitory facilities, owner's house, farm, prayer room, multipurpose room, library, informal class, cooperative, and management office. The design recommendation is to divide these spaces into public, semi-public, private, and service areas. The main access is on the main road side, the public area is adjacent to this side. The private area is on the back side to ensure privacy. The service area is also on the back side. The middle part is filled with a semi-public area. The distant water source creates obstacles to water distribution and it is recommended to install a centrifugal pump so that water distribution is smooth. The results of physical and chemical tests on the water on the Rumah Tahfidzpreneur Annur land show that the water meets household standards but it is necessary to install a filter in the water reservoir so that the water is free of bacteria. Keywords: Rumah Tahfidzpreneur Annur, site concept, water distribution, clean water filter

Ethical and Legal Protection of Drinking Water Resources in Islamic Jurisprudence (with Emphasis on Drinking Water Resources in Kabul)

Water is a vital resource for all living beings. The increase in population and decrease in rainfall in many cities around the world have led to serious water scarcity and pollution of wells and water resources in countries. The expansion of industrial production has resulted in the release of pollutants into surface and groundwater in cities and farmlands of countries. Therefore, this research has been conducted in a library way to examine the views and solutions of Islamic jurisprudence on resolving the problems and preserving the health of drinking water resources and wells, especially in Kabul. The findings of this research are that to preserve the health of water resources, a legal or spatial boundary between neighboring wells or farmers is required to be 500 meters in soft land, but in hard land, at least 250 meters between them is necessary to prevent the resulting damages. However, the distance between a well and a septic tank is 2.5 meters in hard land, and at least 7 cubits or 3.5 meters in soft areas. This is to purify water pollutants and prevent the resulting damages to neighbors. The legal boundary approach has been stated to compensate for the damage caused by a well or a water canal. Moral boundary means the growth of human responsibility to prevent water and environmental pollution in Islamic jurisprudence. Natural pollutant filters for well and canal water are the elements of soil, sand, abundant or flowing water, and oxygen present in water in Islamic jurisprudence.

Are passive collectors effective samplers of microbes in natural aquatic systems?

Biodiversity surveys of aquatic systems often include DNA metabarcoding analyses of environmental samples that are collected through filtration of large volumes of water. The standard practice of sterile collection and filtration in or near the field sites is challenging to implement in remote locations, and filtration of large volumes is a limiting step, especially for water from highly productive systems or with high suspended sediment loads. Recent trials have shown that passive samplers can be effective for aquatic metabarcoding to document metazoan diversity, but that this approach needs to be trialed under a wider variety of conditions and across more diverse taxa. Here we assess the utility of passive sampling for documenting the diversity of bacteria in six tropical aquatic environments (one lake, one reservoir, two mountain streams and two blackwater rivers). We find that passive collectors generally recover significantly higher diversity of Bacteria compared to filtered samples, despite capturing significantly less overall DNA than active water filtering. However, the communities captured by the two methods show significant differences within sites, with only 26% of the Bacteria ASVs recovered by both methods. These differences were largely driven by relative abundances of taxa within Actinobacteriota, Campilobacterota, Desulfobacterota, and Proteobacteria. Our results demonstrate that passive collectors can be a cost-effective solution for monitoring aquatic microbial diversity but that the two methods are not interchangeable. Additional work is necessary to understand the selectivity of both passive collectors and active water filtering for eDNA studies.

Graphene Synthesis by Electrochemical Reduction of Graphene Oxide and Its Characterizations

Graphene is one of the nanoscale materials that has attracted many researchers to continue in-depth study on its unique properties where both the graphene oxide (GO) and electrochemical reduced graphene oxide (ERGO) are the derivatives of graphene. GO and ERGO can be further modified chemically for many types of application such as sensor and water filter membrane. However, to restore the electrical property of graphene, GO should be reduced to ERGO. There are several types of reduction methods which are fast to produce good quality and high yield of graphene material. However, those methods use toxic chemicals to reduce GO which can bring negative impact to both human and environment. Therefore, an electrochemical approach can be carried out to solve this issue. This study presents the electrochemical synthesis of GO and electrochemical reduction of ERGO. All characterizations were conducted by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).

The diversity of commercial marine bivalves in the Nha Phu Lagoon, Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam

The study was conducted as part of the Joint Vietnam–Russia Tropical Science and Technology Research Center’s project on indicator organisms in the marine environment of south-central Vietnam. The research focused on coastal areas with significant anthropogenic impacts, revealing that biological resources directly affect the livelihood and activities of coastal populations. These resources are dynamic and subject to both human and natural factors. The material from the soft-bottom zone was collected using a grab rake with a mesh bag at the end. Scuba diving equipment was used in areas with a hard substrate and mudflats. In addition, during sample collection, several mollusc specimens were acquired from fishermen who cought marine organisms in that lagoon. Comparing the results with previous studies on bivalve resources in the area, the Nha Phu Lagoon was found to harbour a wide range of economically valuable bivalve species. A total of twenty-seven bivalve species from thirteen families were identified, with the family Veneridae having the highest number of species (eight). The most abundant catches were from the families Ostreidae and Mytilidae, primarily consisting of Magallana gigas (Thunberg 1793) and Perna viridis (Linnaeus 1758), both cultured in the lagoon. Apart from their economic value, these two species also play crucial roles in the ecosystem by filtering water and retaining organic debris in the environment.

Quantifying of highly radioactive and radiotoxic polonium-210 intake from cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.): impacts of different smoking and vaporization techniques.

This study investigates the radiation dose that humans receive from naturally occurring uranium-series radionuclides, with a focus on alpha-emitting polonium-210 (210Po), which has a half-life of 138.4days. Polonium is efficiently absorbed by living organisms and is estimated to contribute approximately 7% of the total effective dose from ingested natural internal radiation. The primary source of atmospheric 210Po is the decay of radon-222 (222Rn), which precipitates onto land and water surfaces, including crops. In Cannabis sativa, 210Po accumulates primarily through direct deposition on leaf surfaces and from fertilizers, particularly phosphate fertilizers. This study examined 10 samples of dried hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) legally available in Poland, assessing 210Po concentrations through radiochemical analysis. Various consumption methods were analyzed, including smoking with a glass pipe, a water pipe (bong), a cigarette (joint or spliff), and vaporization. The desorption of 210Po during combustion and vaporization was measured, revealing significant differences based on the method used. Results showed that smoking with a glass pipe resulted in the highest desorption of 210Po (approximately 80%), while water pipe and blunt smoking exhibited lower desorption rates (around 40%). The efficiency of 210Po adsorption in filters varied, with water filters showing about 8% absorption and cellulose filters about 20%. Vaporization results indicated that the desorption of 210Po increased with temperature. These findings underscore the importance of considering the method of consumption when calculating the radiation dose from 210Po, as the differences can significantly impact the accuracy of dose assessments. The study highlights the need for further research to optimize safety guidelines for cannabis consumption in relation to radioactive contaminants.

SOSIALISASI DAN PELATIHAN PENYARING AIR SEDERHANA DALAM MEWUJUDKAN SISTEM AIR BERSIH DI DESA KARANG INDAH

The socialization and training of simple water filters in Karang Indah Village is an initiative that aims to improve community access to clean water. The program is designed to empower villagers with the knowledge and skills to build and operate simple water filters. The socialization conducted includes understanding the importance of clean water, the negative impacts of contaminated water, and the benefits of water filtration. Hands-on training focused on the construction and maintenance of water filters using local materials easily found in the village. Participatory and interactive methods were applied to ensure the active involvement of all levels of the community, including youth, housewives, and village leaders. Thus, Bojongmangu Village is expected to be self-sufficient in meeting its clean water needs, creating a healthier environment, and reducing the risk of water-related diseases. This program not only creates infrastructure, but also builds community capacity and awareness of the importance of clean and safe water sources.

Efficiency of Ceramic Composite Filter Produced Using Nano Particulate Carbonaceous Material

Millions of people have no access to safe water. This has led to continued incidence of waterborne diseases with severe cases of complications and sometimes death. Attempts to use silica sand-based materials for the production of filters by researchers are still evolving. In this study a novel hybrid clay-nanoparticulate agro-waste blend water filter with appropriate pore size and flow rate for contaminant-free water filtration was produced. The composite filters were produced using hydraulic pressing and sintering process. Four different ratios of clay, activated carbon and nanoparticle coconut shell (60:30:10, 60:20:20, 60:10:30, and 60:0:40 wt %) were mixed and fired at 700 °C, 750 °C, 800 °C, 850°C, 900 °C, 950 °C, and 1000 °C respectively at the rate of 75 °C/hr. E. Coli, Total Coliform, and turbidity tests were carried out on the influent water collected from Lagos Lagoon, and effluent water samples were filtered using the produced samples. The result of water tests revealed that all the filters produced removed between 86.81 % to 99% Escherichia Coliform (E. coli), and 81.81% to 93.31%% total coliform in the water sample. The blend of 60:10:30 fired at 850 °C and 900 °C showed improved properties with a flow rate value of 2.83 l/hr and 2.77 l/hr. In conclusion, the study established that synthesis of nanoparticle coconut shell and activated carbon is a suitable material for producing clay composite filters that can purify water to Nigerian Standards for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) acceptable level.

Safety and security of household water purifiers against pathogenic microbial contamination and bio-risk evaluation of their microbial community structures

Household water filters, particularly point-of-use systems, are crucial to ensure safe drinking water consumption by eliminating microbial contaminants. This study evaluated the efficacy of three types of water purifiers (ultrafiltration [UF], nanofiltration [NF], and reverse osmosis [RO]) against microbial contamination. In our experiments, Escherichia coli and bacteriophage MS2 were used as two microbial indicators in daily household settings to track the spatial and temporal profiles of their behavior from the filter inlets to in-UF, NF, and RO water purifiers, and then to effluents. The results showed that both NF and RO water purifiers removed 100 % of the indicator organisms. The UF water purifier achieved 100 % removal of E. coli, but the removal of MS2 phage was poor. The presence of coexisting ions and natural organic matter in tap water can significantly affect the behavior of MS2 phages during the water treatment process. Their presence reduces the charge repulsion effect of the UF membrane on the MS2 phage as well as promotes the migration of the MS2 phage on the post-activated carbon cartridge that was placed in the last unit of the water purifier system, which could increase the pathogen transmission risks in drinking water supplies. The bacterial community structures of the cartridge materials and cartridge effluents from each unit were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, which revealed distinct microbial profiles of the different purifiers. Environmental conditions such as pH, nutrient availability, materials, and operational parameters can affect the composition of bacterial communities. Scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) was used to examine the surface morphology of the membranes after they were exposed to water contaminants, which demonstrated that the inherent differences in the membrane structure influenced the retention of pollutants and microorganisms on the surfaces. In summary, this study demonstrates that both NF and RO water purifiers can significantly reduce the presence of various enteric and opportunistic pathogenic bacteria in drinking water, leading to safer potable water, whereas UF water purifiers may have certain risks owing to their UF membranes and post-activated carbon. In addition, secondary microbial contamination may be introduced by the post-activated carbon units of water purifiers, especially after long-term usage. Therefore, we concluded that addressing the secondary microbial pollution caused by post-activated carbon after prolonged use and long-term shutdown is essential for maintaining the safety and quality of drinking water.

2D Materials for Potable Water Application: Basic Nanoarchitectonics and Recent Progresses.

Water polluted by toxic chemicals due to waste from chemical/pharmaceuticals and harmful microbes such as E. Coli bacteria causes several fatal diseases; and therefore, water filtration is crucial for accessing clean and safe water necessary for good health. Conventional water filtration technologies include activated carbon filters, reverse osmosis, and ultrafiltration. However, they face several challenges, including high energy consumption, fouling, limited selectivity, inefficiencies in removing certain contaminants, dimensional control of pores, and structural/chemical changes at higher thermal conditions and upon prolonged usage of water filter. Recently, the advent of 2D materials such as graphene, BN, MoS2, MXenes, and so on opens new avenues for advanced water filtration systems. This review delves into the nanoarchitectonics of 2D materials for water filtration applications. The current state of water filtration technologies is explored, the inherent challenges they face are outlines, and the unique properties and advantages of 2D materials are highlighted. Furthermore, the scope of this review is discussed, which encompasses the synthesis, characterization, and application of various 2D materials in water filtration, providing insights into future research directions and potential industrial applications.

Morphological and molecular identification of freshwater eutardigrade Dactylobiotus parthenogeneticus (Bertolani, 1982) in the Greater Zab River of Kurdistan Region - Iraq.

Dactylobiotus parthenogeneticus is one of the widespread species of tardigrade all over the world. Tardigrades of this species were collected from the Greater Zab River in Erbil City-Iraq by filtering water of the river through a plankton net with a mesh of 45 µm pore. The samples were mounted on a slide with a cover slip and examined under the microscope to determine morphological characteristics and measurements. Based on these characters the species identified to be D. parthenogeneticus. To support this diagnosis, DNA barcoding techniques were applied to do molecular analysis and sequencing on the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. The sequence was subjected to the GenBank database of NCBI and recorded with the accession number PP140905. The result of the sequencing and molecular analysis of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene confirmed to be the same species diagnosed by relying upon morphological characters. This study represents one of the pioneer researches and documents on tardigrades and found D. parthenogeneticus for the first time in the Greater Zab River in Kurdistan, North of Iraq. Tardigrades play a magnificent role in different trophic levels and can be utilized as an indicator of ecosystem health.

Development and assessment of vanadium-based metal–organic frameworks for the effective elimination of hazardous pesticides from aqueous solutions: Mechanism of uptake, adsorption capacities, rate of uptake, and enhancement via the Box-Behnken design

Vanadium metal–organic frameworks (V-MOF) has a great potential to remove contaminants from water that come from agriculture wastewater methyl parathion (MP) pesticides with high effectiveness. Using a variety of methods, such as SEM, FT-IR, XPS), XRD, and BET analysis, the adsorbent was successfully synthesized and characterized. The dimensions of the pores measured at 1.33 nm correspond to the classification of micropores under the IUPAC system. Before the adsorption process, the material had a surface area of 1489.42 m2/g and a pore volume of 0.98 cc/g. After MP adsorption, the surface area, pore size, and pore volume decreased to 1268.42 m2/g, 1.12 nm, and 0.64 cc/g, respectively. Changes in the material’s physical properties indicate that the adsorption process had an effect. 7.2 was the result of controlling the point of zero charge through surface characterization. This information suggests that the surface of the adsorbent has a positive charge at pH below 7.2 and at the pH higher than this value the surface will have a negative charge. It was also looked into how pH affected the adsorption equilibrium. Although fitting to Langmuir isothermally, the kinetics of MP adsorption onto V-MOF are pseudo-second-order fitting. It is very probable that chemisorption was the mode of adsorption because the adsorption energy was 23.62 kJ.mol−1. The enthalpy (ΔHo) values obtained as a result of studying the thermodynamic parameters are positive, demonstrating that, within this temperature range, the pesticide adsorption process was endothermic., measuring 32.79 kJ.mol−1. Entropy (ΔSo) readings that are positive indicate that the system’s randomness increased during the adsorption process, reaching 119 J.mol−1K−1, and with rising temperatures, the negative of ΔGo rise. The effectiveness of the recommended adsorbent was evaluated by filtering wastewater samples in a laboratory environment. It is hypothesized that V-MOF and MP will interact by pore filling, π-π interaction, H-bonding, electrostatic contact, and other possible methods. Considering the specifics of this interaction in great detail is essential to comprehending the nature of adsorption and effectively constructing the adsorbent for use in real-world applications. Water filtering and the treatment of industrial effluents were made simple and effective by the use of V-MOF adsorbent technology. The results indicated that 383.6 mg/g was the maximal adsorption capacity at pH = 6. To evaluate the renewal of the adsorbent, more tests were carried out, and the outcomes showed that the renewal continued even after more than six cycles. The stability of the adsorbent during regeneration was confirmed by using XRD and FT-IR. The Box Behnken design (BBD) was then employed to optimize the adsorption outcomes.

From crisis to prevention: mining big data for public health insights during the flint water crisis

This study investigates the utility of Google Trends and Google Search data in retrospectively analyzing the Flint Water Crisis, a significant public health event. By examining keywords relevant to the crisis, such as “lead,” “bottled water,” “water filters,” “pneumonia,” and “Legionnaires’ Disease,” we aimed to uncover patterns in public awareness and response during a public crisis and explore how such awareness and responses could potentially aid in reducing the risk of similar crises in the future. Our analysis reveals a clear correlation between search frequencies and the crisis timeline, with spikes in search terms corresponding to key events. This suggests that such data can serve as a valuable tool for understanding public sentiment and behavior in the face of environmental disasters. The research underscores the potential of “Big Data,” led by search engines and social media platforms, in shaping public policy and informed decision-making. However, it also addresses the limitations and challenges in using these data sources, including issues of data consistency, replicability, and the influence of sociocultural contexts on search behaviors. The study advocates for the combined use of Google Trends and Google Search data, complemented by other datasets, for a more comprehensive understanding of public engagement in environmental crises. This work contributes to the growing field of infodemiology, emphasizing the importance of big data analysis in environmental science and public health research.

Local and Low-Cost Filter Media of Simple Water Filtration

Commonly the Installation of a Drinking Water Supply System (SPAM) in Indonesia consists of Coagulation-Flocculation, Sedimentation, Filtration and Disinfection Processes as a complete Process Unit for surface feed water such as rivers or lakes. Similarly, the clean water treatment process in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, Indonesia uses intake water sources from irrigation. The intake water from irrigation used by the local Regional Drinking Water Company has good quality with a low turbidity value below the quality standards set by the central government. Based on these qualities, the right process unit to treat the water is by filtration only. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct evaluation and research to improve the efficiency of the process unit and the economic value of the water treatment. The purpose of this study is to investigate and evaluate irrigation feed water treatment by filtration using local and low-cost filter media. The filter reactor is designed with a rapid media filter type. The media is characterized using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) which is plugged in with EDS to find out the primary constituents and morphological information and after knowing the characterization of the media, and followed by tested the media placed in the water filter reactor with data collection. The results show that the size of the filter media has great effect on the quality of the processing water, which the smaller the media diameter conducted high selectivity and speed up filtration time. The greatest result obtained from testing feed water with media is 87.64%. Turbidity of the feed water sample process, which was previously 0.34 NTU, could be decreased to 0.02 NTU. Effective size of 0.4 mm and uniformity coefficient of 1.35 mm are the optimal allowable values.

Living lab as support for co-creation of value: application to agro-biodiversity contracting solutions

ABSTRACT In addition to providing private goods such as food, fibre and biomass, agriculture can deliver a variety of environmental public goods and ecosystem services, such as biodiversity conservation, water filtering, carbon sequestration, and landscape aesthetics for recreation. Often, however, the use of agricultural landscapes prioritises the provision of private goods, resulting in negative environmental impacts. To address this imbalance in the provision of private and public goods, targeted policy instruments (e.g. contracts) are required to ensure that public goods are provided at the level desired by society. This paper, which is written in the context of the Horizon 2020 project “Contracts 2.0 – H2020 RUR-03-2018”, aims to present a Living Lab case study in Tuscany to point out possible future scenarios of contractual solutions that could provide the right incentives for farmers and land managers to produce a specific environmental public good such as agro-biodiversity. This paper aims to evaluate the application of Living Labs in the case study, assessing what challenges might seriously hinder the collaboration process and/or the success of the participatory approach. Thanks to the participatory approach, it was possible to finalise the “dream contract” in the Living Lab case study. Contract Innovation Labs and Policy Innovation Labs members agreed on a new type of contract based on clear and measurable objectives decided together by farmers and public authorities.

Assessment of the physiochemical properties and sustainability of locally produced ceramic G-filter in a long term experiment

In India, Ceramic Water Filters (CWF) named G-filters are becoming a point-of-use household water treatment solution. The filter's reliability may be primarily characterized by the filtrate turbidity and microbial removal efficiency. The temperature and moisture gradients of the location affect its performance. This paper describes a 19-week laboratory investigation of G-filters simulating field conditions. The basic objective during the study was to ascertain the effective useable life of the filter. The discharge rate and turbidity reduction ability of the filters are studied in depth. The G-filters were prepared using locally available salty clay and sawdust taken in equal volume fractions. A total of 30 filters with a 9-liter capacity each were used for the experiments. The results showed that CWFs can reduce turbidity effectively. The influent water used for the study had a mean turbidity of 7.65 NTU, which reduced in the range of 0.03 NTU to 1.03 NTU. Over the course of four months, the average flow rate decreased from 1.94 Lh-1 to 0.93 Lh-1. Although a soft brushing of filters improved the filtration rate but that too failed in the long run. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) nitrogen adsorption–desorption measurements were used to determine the variation in pore size of filters with time. An average pore radius of 2.91 nm was found in the original filter that has not been used for filtration experiments. Moreover, an average pore radius of 1.77 nm, 1.21 nm, and 1.22 nm were reported in G-filters through which 427.5 L, 807.5 L, and 1035.5 L, respectively, of water were passed. This reduction in pore size is attributed to the clogging of pores over a period of time. This study aims to collect performance data to establish a scientific model using statistical analysis for implementing CWF technology in developing nations.

Mechanically durable tri-composite polyamide 6/hematite nanoparticle/tetra-n-butylammonium bromide (PA6/α-Fe2O3/TBAB) nanofiber based membranes for phosphate remediation.

Essential properties for a Point of Use (POU) water filter include maintaining high removal capacity and rate, with excellent mechanical properties to withstand pressure drop. Herein, mechanically robust tri-composite polyamide 6/iron oxide nanoparticles/tetra-n-butylammonium bromide (PA6/α-Fe2O3/TBAB) nanofiber composite membranes were electrospun for phosphate (P) remediation, where the diameter and composition were tuned by controlling solution compositions and electrospinning conditions. Tri-composite composition and morphology affect phosphate uptake where the adsorption capacity followed Langmuir isotherm whereas the adsorption kinetics followed pseudo second order behavior. Mechanical properties (i.e., Young's Modulus (E) and toughness) were significantly influenced by the composition and morphology of the tri-composite, as well. Although additional TBAB and iron oxide decreased toughness, there are optimum composition ranges which resulted in maximum Young's Modulus. Of the synthesized nanofiber membranes, PA6/α-Fe2O3/TBAB nanofibers with 17% α-Fe2O3 and 2% TBAB showed excellent phosphate uptake capacity [i.e., 8.9mg/g (52mg of P/g of α-Fe2O3)] while it is bendable, stretchable, and able to plastically deform without fracturing (i.e., Young's modulus of 2.06 × 108Pa and Toughness of 1.35 × 106Jm-3). With concerns over the impact of P on water resources and the long-term availability of limited P resources, this tri-composite membrane is well suited for applications in both wastewater treatment and resource recovery.

Evaluation of a Volume-Averaged Species Transport Model with Micro-Macro Coupling for Breakthrough Curve Prediction.

In porous water filters, the transport and entrapment of contaminants can be modeled as a classic mass transport problem, which employs the conventional convection-dispersion equation to predict the transport of species existing in trace amounts. Using the volume-averaging method (VAM), the upscaling has revealed two possible macroscopic equations for predicting contaminant concentrations in the filters. The first equation is the classical convection-dispersion equation, which incorporates a total dispersion tensor. The second equation involves an additional transport coefficient, identified as the adsorption-induced vector. In this study, the aforementioned equations were solved in 1D for column tests using 3D unit cells. The simulated breakthrough curves (BTCs), using the proposed micro-macro-coupling-based VAM model, are compared with the direct numerical simulation (DNS) results based on BCC-type unit cells arranged one-after-another in a daisy chain manner, as well as with three previously reported experimental works, in which the functionalized zeolite and zero-valent iron fillings were used as an adsorbent to remove phosphorous and arsenic from water, respectively. The disagreement of VAM BTC predictions with DNS and experimental results reveals the need for an alternative closure formulation in VAM. Detailed investigations reveal time constraint violations in all the three cases, suggesting this as the main cause of VAM's failure.