Obtain Potable Water Using New Treatment Technologies
There have been three main reasons that have influenced the development and deployment of water treatment technology:
- The discovery of new, uncommon pollutants.
- The adoption of new water methods to improve quality standards.
- The expense of water treatment methods.
When it came to water treatment in local areas during the first half of the twentieth century, we only had these three treatments to employ: chemical clarity, granular media filtration, and chlorination.
Over time, water utilities have begun to seriously explore alternate water treatment methods to the conventional filtration/chlorination treatment method, which has marked a significant shift in the water industry. Moreover, this new approach to water treatment revolutionizes what was established during the earlier 20 modern years.
Introducing Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is used in one of the most creative water treatment processes in the contemporary world while being one of the newest.
Nanotechnology includes a diverse range of techniques and processes when it comes to material application on an atomic or molecular size. Nanotechnology-based water purification systems’ flexibility, high efficiency, and cost-effectiveness are considered superior to conventional water filtering methods.
A variety of nanoparticles, such as silver, copper, and zero-valent iron (ZVI), nanostructured photocatalytic materials, nanomembranes, and nano adsorbents, are some of the most important common applications of nanotechnology in water purification processes.
The high surface-to-volume ratio of these nanoparticles allows the adsorption of chemical and biological particles and the separation of contaminants even at extremely low concentrations, making them particularly useful in environmental remediation. In addition to possessing unique physical and chemical characteristics, nano adsorbents have the ability to remove metallic contaminants from water efficiently.
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are commonly used nanomaterials in water filtration, accounting for around a quarter of all applications. These carbon nanotube-based filtration devices can remove contaminants from water, regardless of whether they are biological, organic, or inorganic in nature.
Branching out from Nano Technology
Scientists at NASA created acoustic nanotube technology. It uses acoustics rather than pressure to guide water through small-diameter carbon nanotubes.
The method is based on an acoustically-driven molecular sieve linked to carbon nanotubes, which enables water molecules to pass through while blocking larger molecules and contaminants. It consumes less energy than traditional filtration systems and pushes water away from pollutants rather than removing them. In addition, the method eliminates the requirement for periodic filter system cleaning.
Acoustic nanotube technology is mostly used in the consumer goods industry. The innovation is scalable because it includes many filters that may be tailored to suit the specific filtering needs of individual users.
Alumina fibers, as well as carbon nanotubes, are used for nanofiltration in water treatment utilizing nanotechnology. These carbon membranes can remove virtually all types of water pollutants, including biological contaminants, oil, turbidity, bacteria, viruses, and other organic toxins, among others. In conclusion, Nanotechnology offers a promising solution for the water crisis happening in developing countries. This is something we at Stepping Up Water are in support of.
