Development of innovative technology for aluminum removal from potable water

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Toxic heavy metals in air, soil, and water are global problems that are a growing threat to humanity. As the increase in industrial technology continue to progress, it results in the increase in heavy metal pollution, creating harmful effects on humans, plants, and animals. Since toxic metals do not degrade easily, they accumulate over time, posing greater danger to living organisms. Removal of these heavy metals is therefore, of great importance. The goal of the proposed project is to develop a reliable, robust and cost-effective technology of ground water purification allowing decreasing the concentration of aluminum (Al) in it and making the well water safe for a household water supply. Aluminum in drinking water comes from natural sources and the alum used as coagulant in the water treatment process. The prime objective is to develop a technology based on semiconductor photocatalysis that is capable to purify potable water in locations where well water provides the primary source for water supply. The second objective is to understand underlying principles of the technology and the effect of site-dependant conditions of high concentration of aluminum in water by using an existing set of field data on wells with high Al(III) concentrations. Systematic application of mathematical and statistical tools as well as experimentation to analyze the field data investigation is a necessary foundation to choose and to sort out influencing factors including site-dependent links. The proposal is the initial step in the development of a new research partnership between the Western research team and Canadian industry (Simpson Environmental Corporation). The project is to explore as first step (proof-of-concept) towards evaluating a photocatalysis technology of potable water purification containing aluminum. Subsequently, project will explore development of system applicable to various environmental conditions and climates in Canada and abroad. The PI of this proposal has extensive research experience on photocatalysis and high rate photocatalytic reactor development including removal of toxic metal ions such as As, Cr, Hg, Cd and Zn.