STUDY OF A NEW TECHNIQUE FOR FLUORIDE REMOVAL FROM WATER

A new technique based on the combination of an activated alumina colum n and an electrochemical system for fluoride removal from water is rep orted in this study. In the first step, the optimization of the proces s was achieved under various experimental parameters (volumetric flow, temperature, pH, initial fluoride concentration and hardness) with a synthetic solution. The comparison of the performance of the current a ctivated alumina process and the electrosorption system proved to be m ore efficient than the latter in removing fluoride from water. Thus, t he fluoride sorption capacity at the breakthrough point of the activat ed alumina column reached 3.8 mg F-/L. It was increased by about 60% b y means of the electrochemical process than the results obtained in cu rrent mode. Moreover, it was found that the electrosorption system cou ld be utilized to regenerate the saturated activated alumina. In the s econd step, the electrosorption process was utilized to treat Sahara d rinking water naturally contaminated with fluoride (3 mg/L) under opti mum conditions previously determined. The electrosorption process coup led with activated alumina column has been successfully applied for fl uoride removal from drinking water.