Hybrid gravitational microfiltration system for drinking water purification/Sistema de microfiltração gravitacional híbrido para purificação de água

• Published in: Revista ambiente & água Vol. 12; no. 2; p. 168
• Main Authors: Yamaguchi, Natália Ueda, Abe, Silvia Amélia Liwa, Medeiros, Flávia Vieira da Silva, Vieira, Angélica Marquetotti Salcedo, Bergamasco, Rosangela
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taubaté Instituto de Pesquisas Ambientais em Bacias Hidrográficas 01.05.2017
• Subjects: Activated carbon; Copper; E coli; Membranes
• ISSN: 1980-993X
• DOI: 10.4136/ambi-agua.2047

This study evaluates the application of a polymeric microfiltration membrane in a gravitational filtration module and its combination with granular activated carbon (GAC) impregnated with copper, resulting in a hybrid process. The proposed system would be used to improve the quality of water for human consumption in developing countries. Permeate flux, pH, Escherichia coli removal, color, turbidity and free chlorine removals were evaluated in the applied process. Instrumental techniques, such as N^sub 2^ adsorption at 77 K, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analyses were used to characterize the proposed membrane and adsorbent. The GAC ensured higher chlorine removals, as well as higher permeate flux. Furthermore, the GAC impregnated with copper oxide nanoparticles exhibited higher Escherichia coli removal. Therefore, the hybrid gravitational membrane system applying GAC impregnated with copper oxide could be considered as a potential alternative point-of-use treatment to improve the quality of water for human consumption.