EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AND RESPONSE-SURFACE MODELING FOR OPTIMIZATION OF FLUORIDE REMOVAL FROM WATER BY MORINGA OLEIFERA SEED EXTRACT

• Published in: Fluoride Vol. 45; no. 3; pp. 169 - 170
• Main Authors: Jafari, A, Mahvi, AH, Godini, H, Rezaee, R, Ashrafi, S D, Hoseini, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.09.2012
• Subjects: Moringa oleifera
• ISSN: 0015-4725

In addition to other technologies for removal of excess levels of fluoride from water, coagulation has often yielded efficient results. Among different chemical coagulants, iron and aluminum salts have been widely applied for pollutant removal. The limitations of such coagulants, including problem of their handling, high volume of generated sludge, and requirements of initial and final pH adjustment, have encouraged researches to look for new coagulants. Moringa oleifera has been considered a natural and efficient coagulant with some benefits. In this study, fluoride removal using Moringa oleifera seed extract was investigated. Optimum conditions were determined and modeled using response-surface methodology. The Box-Behnken method with three variables (coagulant, pH, and initial fluoride concentration) and three levels of seed extract were applied. At constant initial fluoride concentration, with increase in Moringa oleifera dosage, fluoride removal increased. It was also shown that pH had no significant effect on fluoride removal. Under optimal conditions, high levels of fluoride can be significantly reduced.