Sustainable Water Purification

This is the only book that takes a zero-waste approach to propose 100% sustainable water purification techniques.

Water is synonymous with life. This has been the case since pre-historic time to the modern era. For the first time, humanity faces a crisis that eclipses the energy crisis, which has often incapacitated the global economy. The Climate-Water-Food nexus epitomizes our current civilization that depends on energy as the driver. Many recognize this crisis as a product of fossil fuel production, which allegedly triggered climate change and the "climate change debate." Others predict the onslaught of "water wars" in the coming decades. As the world gears up to another lineup of empty promises and ensuing chaos, this book turns this crisis on its head and shows the source of the water crisis.

The science behind the water cycle is described in clear language, without resorting to dogmatic assertions and spurious assumptions. The role of the sun, natural carbon dioxide (CO2) and water and the need to maintain natural processes free from artificial chemicals are discussed in detail. The book makes it clear how most of the currently used purification techniques violates the natural cycle involving sunlight, CO2 and water, and thus become unsustainable.

A series of water purification techniques, as usable for drinking, agricultural and industrial applications are presented. The advantages of these techniques and their long-term sustainability are highlighted, with discussion on improvements in the future. Whether for the engineer or scientist working in the field or laboratory or the student, this is a must-have for any engineer, scientist, student, or policymaker.

M. Safiur Rahman, PhD, is Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and Professor in the field of environmental analytical chemistry at Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission. He has extensive experience and has published over 100 scientific articles, book chapters and several books. His expertise is in the areas of drinking water quality improvement and environmental restoration, and he has received several prestigious awards for his academic accomplishments and research.

M. R. Islam, PhD, is known as the most published engineer in the world. He has coined terms such as "green petroleum," "sustainable petroleum development," "economics of intangibles," "zero waste engineering," and others. His work has created a paradigm shift in a wide range of applications, spanning various disciplines. His most notable contribution is in the areas sustainability, environmental integrity, the greening of petroleum and pharmaceutical industries, and knowledge modeling, on which topic he has written dozens of books and nearly 800 research papers. His latest work is captured in his latest books: The Science of Climate Change and Economics of Sustainable Energy, both available from Wiley-Scrivener.

Preface xi

1 Introduction

1.1 Opening Remarks 1

1.2 Climate-Water-Food Nexus 5

1.3 Background 8

1.4 Insufficiency in Water Purification Processes 9

1.5 Introduction to Zero Waste Engineering 11

1.6 Scope of the Book 12

1.7 Organization and Introduction of the Chapters 12

2 Water Science

2.1 Introduction 15

2.2 Unique Features of Water 16

2.3 Natural State of Matter 31

2.4 Source of Water and Its Role in Sustaining Life 37

2.4.1 Inorganic Minerals 38

2.4.2 Organic Contaminants 49

2.4.3 Radioactive Minerals 49

2.4.4 Biological 50

3 Sustainability of Current Water Purification Technologies

3.1 Introduction 59

3.2 Sustainability Criteria 68

3.3 Sustainability in the Information Age and Environmental Insult 69

3.3.1 Agriculture and Development 71

3.3.2 Desertification 72

3.3.3 Ecosystem Change 72

3.3.4 Fisheries 72

3.3.5 Deforestation 73

3.3.6 Marine Litter 74

3.3.7 Water Resources 75

3.4 Biological Processes 77

3.4.1 Sulfate Reducing Bacteria 80

3.5 Chemical Precipitation 82

3.6 Membrane Separation 85

3.6.1 Microfiltration 88

3.6.2 Ultrafiltration 90

3.6.3 Nanofiltration 92

3.6.4 Reverse Osmosis 95

3.7 Ion Exchange 97

3.8 Ozonation 99

3.9 UV Radiation 104

3.10 Adsorption 107

3.10.1 Existing Sorbents 108

3.10.2 Agricultural Waste 109

3.10.3 Industrial By-Products 114

3.10.4 Natural Materials 118

4 Sustainable Drinking Water Purification Techniques

4.1 Introduction 123

4.2 Natural Lifestyle 126

4.2.1 Environmental Awareness 131

4.2.2 Corporatization and Healthcare 134

4.2.3 Death and Lifestyle 135

4.2.4 Role of Water in Bodily Functions 140

4.2.5 A Relevant Anecdote 147

4.3 Natural Minerals 148

4.3.1 Filters 149

4.3.2 Ground Water Recharge 150

4.3.3 Aeration 150

4.3.4 Brick, Clay and Others 150

4.4 Solar UV Treatment 151

4.5 Natural Ozonation 152

5 Sustainable Purification Techniques for Agricultural Waters

5.1 Introduction 155

5.2 Organic vs. Chemical Agricultural Practices 161

5.2.1 Denaturing for a Profit 169

5.2.2 The Consequences 170

5.2.3 The Sugar Culture and Beyond 171

5.3 Removal of Heavy Metals 179

5.3.1 Application of Wood Sawdust for Removal of Heavy Metals 181

5.3.1.1 Composition, Structure and Morphology of Wood 182

5.3.1.2 Structure and Morphology of Wood 183

5.3.1.3 Removal of Heavy Metals Using Wood Saw Dust 191

5.3.1.4 Conclusion 206

5.4 Removal of Heavy Metals Using Fish Scale 208

5.4.1 Fish Scale Collection and Treatment 208

5.4.2 Experimental Setup and Procedure 209

5.4.2.1 Static Method 209

5.4.2.2 Dynamic Method 211

5.4.3 Conclusions 215

5.5 Solar UV Treatment 216

5.5.1 Effects of UV-Radiation 217

5.5.2 Effects of Temperature (Infrared Radiation) 218

5.5.3 Advantages of Solar Water Disinfection (SoDis) 218

5.5.4 Limitations of Solar Water Disinfection 219

5.6 Bioremediation for Sustainable Purification of Water 219

6 Sustainable Purification Techniques for Industrial Wastes

6.1 Removal of Radionuclides 221

6.2 Removal of Heavy Metals Precious Metals 224

6.2.1 Precious Metals and Heavy Metals Recovery 225

6.3 Industry Lifestyle Change 231

6.3.1 Mercury 237

6.3.2 Sal Ammoniac 244

6.3.3 Sulphur 246

6.3.4 Arsenic Sulphide 251

6.3.5 Refining Techniques 256

6.4 The Energy/Water Crisis 258

6.4.1 Are Natural Resources Finite and Human Needs Infinite? 258

6.4.2 The Finite/Infinite Conundrum 269

6.5 Certain Sustainable Technologies 270

6.5.1 Direct Use of Solar Energy 270

6.5.2 Effective Separation of Solid from Liquid 274

6.5.3 Effective Separation of Liquid from Liquid 275

6.5.4 Agricultural Waste for Water Purification and Value Addition 276

6.5.4.1 Orange Peel 277

6.5.4.2 Pomelo Peel 277

6.5.4.3 Grapefruit Peel 278

6.5.4.4 Lemon Peel 278

6.5.4.5 Banana Peel 279

6.5.4.6 Cassava Peel 280

6.5.4.7 Jackfruit Peel 281

6.5.4.8 Pomegranate Peel 281

6.5.4.9 Garlic Peel 282

6.5.5 A Novel Desalination Technique 283

6.5.6 A Novel Separation Technique 296

7 Summary and Conclusions

7.1 Summary 299

7.2 Conclusions 300

7.2.1 Chapter 1: Introduction 300

7.2.2 Chapter 2: Water Science 300

7.2.3 Chapter 3: Sustainability of Current Water Purification Techniques 301

7.2.4 Chapter 4: Sustainable Drinking Water Purification Techniques 301

7.2.5 Chapter 5: Sustainable Purification Techniques for Agricultural Wastes 302

7.2.6 Chapter 6: Sustainable Purification Techniques for Industrial Wastes 302

References and Bibliography 303

Index 325

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