With a view to developing a simple household method for removing iron from water, a laboratory study was undertaken to assess the potential of potassium permanganate, ceramic candle filter, or a combination of the two in removing iron from iron-spiked tap water. Batch tests using potassium permanganate with 5 min slow mixing and 2.5 h settling showed an iron removal in the range of 79–99% for the water samples tested (pH 6.0–10.0; initial iron concentration 3.5–10.0 mg/L). The optimum dose of potassium permanganate varied between 1.6 and 8.0 mg/L. Removal was generally higher at higher pH. Tests with a ceramic candle filter showed that, used alone, it could not remove iron efficiently; removal ranged between 7 and 20%. However, when water mixed with potassium permanganate (for 5 min) was fed into the filter, a high iron removal (91–99%) was observed. An Escherichia coli challenge test showed improved bacteria removal in presence of potassium permanganate. The results of the study indicated that a combination of potassium permanganate and candle filter can be used effectively for the household removal of iron in the rural areas of developing countries.
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March 01 1998
A simple household method for the removal of iron from water
S. John
;
S. John
*
Department of Civil Engineering, North-eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh—791 109, India
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M. Ahammed M.
M. Ahammed M.
†
Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur—208 016, India
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Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua (1998) 47 (2): 47-49.
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S. John, M. Ahammed M.; A simple household method for the removal of iron from water. Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua 1 March 1998; 47 (2): 47–49. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.1998.9
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S. John, M. Ahammed M.; A simple household method for the removal of iron from water. Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua 1 March 1998; 47 (2): 47–49. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.1998.9
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