Flowrate is used as a predictor of ceramic pot filter (CPF) disinfection effectiveness, and the relationship between flowrate and porosity has been examined in several studies. However, hydraulic conductivity, not porosity, is the constant of proportionality that describes flow through porous media. Equations have been developed to estimate the hydraulic conductivity of CPF side walls and bottom as well an effective overall hydraulic conductivity. The equations are intended to be used with falling head data that may be collected in the field. The results of flowrate testing and open porosity testing using experimental CPFs provide preliminary indication that hydraulic conductivity is a better predictor of flowrate relative to open porosity. The results of the preliminary testing suggest that the shape and orientation of open pore space may have significant impact on filter flowrates, and that filter researchers and producers may want to evaluate the material used to form the pores as well as the impact of the filter formation process on any spatial orientation of open pore space. A better understanding of hydraulic conductivity may improve the production efficiency of filter factories which could make lower cost filters available to a greater number of households in developing areas.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
Research Article|
July 01 2011
Calculation of ceramic pot filter hydraulic conductivity using falling-head data
A. C. Elmore;
1Associate Professor of Geological Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, 127 McNutt Hall, Rolla, MO 65409, USA
E-mail: elmoreac@umr.edu
Search for other works by this author on:
W. G. Fahrenholtz;
W. G. Fahrenholtz
2Professor of Material Science and Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, 223 McNutt Hall, Rolla, MO 65409, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
L. G. Glauber;
L. G. Glauber
3Undergraduate Student of Ceramic Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO 65409, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
A. N. Sperber
A. N. Sperber
4Graduate Student of Geological Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO 65409, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Water Supply (2011) 11 (3): 358–363.
Article history
Received:
March 01 2011
Accepted:
March 28 2011
Citation
A. C. Elmore, W. G. Fahrenholtz, L. G. Glauber, A. N. Sperber; Calculation of ceramic pot filter hydraulic conductivity using falling-head data. Water Supply 1 July 2011; 11 (3): 358–363. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/ws.2011.034
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Client Account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.