12-15 July 2011
Saint George Hotel
Africa/Johannesburg timezone

Clay/sawdust porous pots for water treatment

14 Jul 2011, 17:00
2h
Asteria

Asteria

Poster Presentation Track F - Applied and Industrial Physics Poster2

Speaker

Dr Joseph A Varkey (University of Swaziland)

Description

The supply of adequate clean water to communities is a problem in many countries, especially in Africa where the rural population depend on water from rivers, dams and streams for domestic use. Such water contains many chemical substances and microorganisms that affect the health of human beings and animals. Use of simple water purification systems, like filters, by households, is a possible solution to this problem. In our laboratory, we have developed a porous pot water filter using sawdust and clay. Both materials are available locally. Sawdust was sieved using 100, 250 and 600 micrometer sieve and then mixed with clay in the clay/ sawdust ratio of 1:3 by volume. The mixture was then used to make pots, which were porous. These pots were tested for their capacity to purify contaminated water collected from rivers. The filtration rate, as a function of the clay/coal ratio, was also measured. Subsequently, quality tests were done on the filtered water and raw water to determine the potability of the filtered water. The tests included microbiological, physical and chemical properties. The results were then compared with standards provided by World Health Organization.

Level (Hons, MSc, <br> &nbsp; PhD, other)? Other
Consider for a student <br> &nbsp; award (Yes / No)? No
Would you like to <br> submit a short paper <br> for the Conference <br> Proceedings (Yes / No)? Yes

Primary author

Dr Joseph A Varkey (University of Swaziland)

Co-author

Prof. Mgidi D Dlamini (University of Swaziland)

Presentation Materials

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