DEFLUORIDATION OF WATER BY LOW COST SORBENT

Abstract

The availability of water depends on quality of water in various sources, whether ground water or surface water. The presence of the excessive amount of fluoride in water is harmful to the health. It is necessary to keep the fluorides in drinking water within recommended limits. In the present study fluoride removal by adsorption on wood charcoal and effects of various parameters on its efficiency have been studied. Batch studies by wood charcoal were performed taking into ttikki account the variables like time, dose of adsorbent, grain size, pH, HCO3-alkalinity, SO4- initial fluoride concentration. According to present study, it is found that pH, size of the grain, initial fluoride concentration, HCO3 - alkalinity, SO4, affect' the defluoridation significantly. It is concluded from this study that acidic wood charcoal is better to use. The optimum pH was found in the range of 4-5.5. The maximum adsorption capacity on the basis of Freundlich Isotherm was found to be 0.106 mg/