2.

0 Literature Summary
The table below is a summary of the technical concepts that we have assessed for the design, however the weighted decision for the preferred method can be found on page XX

Table 3 Summary of literature used for the development of the design

Method of Purification: Reverse Osmosis

How it Works: This method of purification requires the use of a semi-permeable membrane which has tiny pores through which the water flows. As the water passes through, molecules larger than the water ones themselves are removed by the tiny pore through which the water is passing.

PRO's: Removes all dissolved salts in water.

CON's: The pores are often so small they even remove minerals and salts needed, but not small enough to remove chemicals such as herbicides and pesticides. Energy is needed for the pressure necessary to push the water through the membrane. Slow process.

Suitability for Project: There are a few problems with the suitability of this method of purification. First is that it requires energy, the design requires as little energy to be used for the process to occur. Also the fact that chemicals are left behind in the water leaves it undrinkable until it has passed through another method of purification. The final specification in which this method fails is that it is a slow process, and ineffective for a timed purification. This method of purification would be suitable for a project in which time is not one of the criteria. As filtration is among the slowest methods of purification. Though as this is not the case and there is timed purification it would be unsuitable using filtration. Also filtration isnt always 100% effective

Filtration

By having the water flow through such small mediums, things such as dissolved solids in the water are removed as the gaps in the filtering system are smaller than the parts being removed therefore leaving them behind and letting the water pass through mostly contaminant free. Particles will also be absorbed by

Filter media include anything from fine sands, carbon, gravels, and fibres. It can remove organic and inorganic materials,

It needs to be cleaned regularly, as the filtration media is bound to collect a lot of filtered parts, possibly clogging the system. It is slow.

media they are chemically affined to.

bacteria included in some cases. Does not require an energy source. (cost effective) Removes all inorganic particles and total dissolved solids (TDS) from the water. Quick process compared to filtration and reverse osmosis. Extremely effective at the removal of water borne bacteria. Preferred method in developing nations as it is effective in purifying very contaminated waters. Easy to clean, for what is left by the water is easily cleaned with white vinegar. Inorganic and Because water is being boiled it requires a fair bit of energy. Limited applications for water distillers. Strips water of minerals and salts needed (They need to be added in after the process). Changes pH as through distillation Hydrogen concentration is higher making it more acidic.

in the removal of such things like bacteria.

Distillation

Water is heated till it evaporates, the vapour is redirected cooled and condensed back into liquid where then it is stored in another area. By making the water evaporate it leaves any contaminants behind, allowing the water to be purified.

This method would be suitable for the project as mentioned in the specs of distillation; it is very effective at the removal of suspended and dissolved solids as well it is highly effective at destroying bacteria. Only issues to be careful of is that to distil water a fair bit of energy is required. Also the fact that the water has to be distilled in a time frame means that more energy would be required to boil the water quickly. The fact that is it reasonably easy to clean a distillation unit makes this method more suitable.

Coagulation

Through this method colloidal

Chemicals required.

This method is suitable if all that was

and Sedimentation

(negatively charged) particles are destabilised so that suspended particles can be separated by gravity. This method is done by the aid of coagulating chemicals.

Centrifugation

Through high rotations, an acceleration of 20000g can be used to separate particles, as there is a centrifugal force created in the motion.

colloid particles can be separated. (Bacteria are often negatively charged). Can be achieved with 3-valent ions or polyelectrolytes. Separates inorganic materials and bacteria.

Not all is removed by coagulation. Expensive (as it is chemicals)

Very high need for energy for this system to work. Large system need to be built to withstand this kind of energy.

Electro-Dialysis

This method relies on the utilisation of an electric field and cation and anion selective membranes to collect their selective ions i.e. salts.

Removes salts from water.

Bacteria and other dissolved solid arent removed by this system. Energy is needed to move ions.

to be removed from the water was the bacteria. As this method is reasonable selective in what it removes from the water, it is likely that more than just this method would have to be sued in order to have pure water. Also having chemicals added to the water may not be acceptable. This method wouldnt be suited for where it was thinking of being used as it demands a huge amount of energy, making it not feasible, or even a logic solution. Also it cant modularise, failing the portability of the device. This system is not suitable for where it needs to be. It does not remove dissolved solids or bacteria, only some salts that respectively join to the positive and negative ions. Requires energy, not much power in Devikulam.

Ion Exchange

In this process positive ions are replaced with H+ in a cation exchange and negative ions are replaced with OH- in an anion exchange membrane. This is achievable through resins and has the similar effect as a variety of natural systems like soils and fibres. In general this process softens the water or removes the minerals in it. The H+ and OH- react to give more water.

Removes salts from the water.

Resin needs to be regenerated with the use of acids and bases. (resin is most often synthesised)

The suitability of this method isnt great because all it removes are the salts in the water. Although simple enough in process, this method is high maintenance and only has a limited value in terms of purifying water.

Adsorption

This process works on the chemical interactions of a surface and the water that runs over it. Through some of these chemical reaction water particles and other organic molecules and particles are separated, due to their chemical interaction with the surface.

Removes organic molecules, and dissolved gasses. Dissolved solids and bacteria are also removed.

There is no removal of salts. Surface needs to be well maintained (regenerated/washed)

Disinfection

Bacteria are killed off by chemicals that are added to the water. By doing so the water is only safe from bacterial contamination.

Bacteria are killed/become inactive

Dissolved salts and solids are not removed from the water. Energy and chemicals are required.

The suitability of this method of purification for this particular project isnt great. All it controls is the bacterial levels in the water and nothing else. The purification system needs to be useful in all of the categories in the purification of water. In conclusion not suitable.

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