Renewable energy powered membrane technology: Fluoride removal in a rural community in northern Tanzania

摘要: Abstract Water samples from 13 sites in the Oldonyosambu Ward Northern Tanzania were collected and comprehensively analyzed for fluoride other components. Local water resources are typically of sodium carbonate (Na-HCO3) type with low calcium (Ca2+) concentrations. sources contain excessive concentrations used as principal supply drinking cooking by rural communities. The occurrence has severe health impacts population babies (pre-natal) to elderly, resulting dental skeletal fluorosis this area. Purification technologies suitable such situations very rough communities scarce due absence electricity supply, infrastructure operational skills. development advanced, yet appropriate is hence a novel separation purification challenge that somewhat established need be adapted new environments. To effect two types experiments conducted: (1) highest concentration (Site 4, 17.9 mg/L, WHO guideline 1.5 mg/L, Tanzanian 4 mg/L) was treated different nanofiltration (NF) reverse osmosis (RO) membranes batch-scale experiments. Results show components including sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, carbonate, sulfate, silica, organic matter removed reliably these natural waters NF/RO. (2) A pilot-scale autonomous membrane system powered directly solar energy treat examine impact fluctuating on three (BW30, NF90, NF270). results demonstrated BW30 NF90 achieved guideline, while NF270 bettered guideline. total permeate volume produced 1000, 2444 2656 L, respectively. resilience fluctuations good during short term tests. suggest advanced renewable an attractive option addressing problems areas. While technology well established, adaptation villages those far achieved. This requires further work terms integration, operation maintenance schemes.