This article deals with the numerical modeling of the multiphysics investigation of an electric-field-based device for the defluoridation of Ethiopian water to mitigate fluorosis while satisfying the World Health Organization quality requirement for potable water. A tubular reactor with metallic parallel plates, connected to a static voltage source, exerts an electric force on the ion in solution, attracting it to the electrodes. Meanwhile, the ion is drifted by the laminar water flow which, in turn, allows us to separate and collect the F − -rich stream from the potable one. In this system, the electrostatic problem and the mass transport are coupled according to the highly nonlinear modified Poisson–Nernst–Planck–Stokes equations system. Therefore, carefully modeling the dielectric permittivity, the ionic diffusivity, and mobility as function of fluoride concentration and temperature, the set of operating parameters to ensure the highest fluoride removal from Ethiopian thermal water is identified.

Preliminary Study and Numerical Investigation of an Electrostatic Unit for the Removal of Fluoride from Thermal Water of Ethiopian Rift Valley

Matteo Bruno Bruno Lodi;Fabio Fanari;Alessandro Fanti;Francesco Desogus;Giuseppe Mazzarella;Paolo Valera
2020-01-01

Abstract

This article deals with the numerical modeling of the multiphysics investigation of an electric-field-based device for the defluoridation of Ethiopian water to mitigate fluorosis while satisfying the World Health Organization quality requirement for potable water. A tubular reactor with metallic parallel plates, connected to a static voltage source, exerts an electric force on the ion in solution, attracting it to the electrodes. Meanwhile, the ion is drifted by the laminar water flow which, in turn, allows us to separate and collect the F − -rich stream from the potable one. In this system, the electrostatic problem and the mass transport are coupled according to the highly nonlinear modified Poisson–Nernst–Planck–Stokes equations system. Therefore, carefully modeling the dielectric permittivity, the ionic diffusivity, and mobility as function of fluoride concentration and temperature, the set of operating parameters to ensure the highest fluoride removal from Ethiopian thermal water is identified.
2020
Electric field; Ethiopia; fluoride removal; Poisson–Nernst–Planck–Stokes model; potable water; thermal water
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Lodi et al_Preliminary Study and Numerical Investigation of an Electrostatic Unit for the Removal of Fluoride from Thermal Water of Ethiopian Rift Valley_2020.pdf

accesso aperto

Descrizione: articolo
Tipologia: versione editoriale
Dimensione 2.57 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
2.57 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11584/289715
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 10
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 10
social impact