Presenter Information
Sophia Bakar, Department of Biomedical Engineering
David Kahler, PhD, Center for Environmental Research and Education
Benjamin S Goldschmidt, PhD, Department of Biomedical Engineering
Abstract
Groundwater containing high concentrations of fluoride is the most common source of drinking water in rural areas in parts of east Africa, India, and China. The elevated levels of fluoride cause skeletal and dental fluorosis, which is the weakening and decay of bone structures due to the leeching of calcium from the body as calcium and fluoride bond by the process of adsorption. Over 150 million people are suffering from some form of fluorosis due to the consumption of groundwater. Calcium carbonate has been demonstrated to influence fluoride removal in several forms. To make fluoride removal a cost-effective and user-friendly process, a study has been done to test the efficacy of a 3D printed water filter using E.P Smartfil Filament, composed of 30% calcium carbonate and 70% PLA. The influence of varying conditions concerning the removal of fluoride from water, such as the design of the filter, time spent in contact with the filter, and initial concentration of fluoride have been investigated. The maximum amount of fluoride the filters have removed thus far from any water sample is 0.048 milligrams of fluoride per gram of calcium carbonate in each filter.
School
Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences; Rangos School of Health Sciences
Advisor
Dr. Benjamin Goldschmidt
Submission Type
Paper
Publication Date
April 2019
Included in
Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Commons, Environmental Chemistry Commons, Environmental Engineering Commons, Environmental Health and Protection Commons, Medicine and Health Sciences Commons, Sustainability Commons
Fluoride Removal From Water Using a 3D Printed Calcium Carbonate Filter
Groundwater containing high concentrations of fluoride is the most common source of drinking water in rural areas in parts of east Africa, India, and China. The elevated levels of fluoride cause skeletal and dental fluorosis, which is the weakening and decay of bone structures due to the leeching of calcium from the body as calcium and fluoride bond by the process of adsorption. Over 150 million people are suffering from some form of fluorosis due to the consumption of groundwater. Calcium carbonate has been demonstrated to influence fluoride removal in several forms. To make fluoride removal a cost-effective and user-friendly process, a study has been done to test the efficacy of a 3D printed water filter using E.P Smartfil Filament, composed of 30% calcium carbonate and 70% PLA. The influence of varying conditions concerning the removal of fluoride from water, such as the design of the filter, time spent in contact with the filter, and initial concentration of fluoride have been investigated. The maximum amount of fluoride the filters have removed thus far from any water sample is 0.048 milligrams of fluoride per gram of calcium carbonate in each filter.