Development of a New Arsenic and Fluorine Treatment Method for "Three-River-Source" Area
三江源区砷氟超标人畜饮水处理技术研发

The concentration of Arsenic (As), Fluorine (F) and minerals in drinking water sources surpasses the state safe drinking water standards in Sanjiangyuan area, China. Here, we conducted research and development of a high performance absorbents of particle F-Catch and As-Catch2 and designed a JCD-Arsenic(Fluorine) absorption system. This kind of adsorption material has a very high adsorption capacity, more than six times current domestic and overseas adsorbents of arsenic and fluorine. Our system can absorb large quantities of low concentration fluorine ion and arsenic acid below 0.01 ppm. We combined the JCD-Arsenic(Fluorine) absorption system with adsorbent-activated carbon and developed a process flow to deal with drinking water containing As and F. The system has a handling capacity of 0.5 m3/h. According to national standards of 40 L of water per person per day for rural water usage, the safe drinking water requirements for 200 people can be met, making this system suitable for safe drinking water treatment for rural people and livestock. Our system pumps raw water with arsenic into the JCD-Arsenic(fluorine) adsorption system, then absorbents of As-Catch2 play a role as the functional materials in the absorption system undergo physicochemical reactions with arsenic in the raw water. Water passes through the high porous activated carbon filter layer of about 30cm below the As-Catch2 layer in the JCD-Arsenic adsorption system and the activated carbon with a high adsorption capacity adsorbs slightly polluted substances in water. In the end the treated water flows into the water tank and is pumped into the life water pipeline for domestic users. We conclude that the equipment can handle water treatment quickly which is time saving, and no pre-disposal is needed. With the combination of JCD-Arsenic(Fluorine) absorption system and activated carbon, we can dispose of As, F and phosphorus at the same time with an As disposal efficiency of 100% and F disposal efficiency above 85%. Moreover, no sludge is produced. The system also enjoys advantages such as a simple structure, high equipment flexibility, low investment, high automation and simple operation and management which provide technical support to drinking water security for human beings and livestock across Sanjiangyuan.