Comparison of the Effectiveness of Various Designs of Ceramic Filter Membranes in Domestic Water Purification

Abstract

This research aimed to compare the effectiveness of three different types of ceramic water filters (Disk, Candle and Frustum shaped) in treating drinking water. The ceramic water filters were made from red clay and sawdust in the volume ratio 50:50, pressed at 140kPa to the male part of the mold using a 50 ton hydraulic press and fired at an optimal temperature of 950°C. Ceramic water Filter effectiveness with and without colloidal silver (CS) coating was determined based on flow rate, E. coli and total coliform removal efficiency. Impact of Colloidal silver coating in removing and inactivating E. coli and total coliforms were observed for all ceramic water filters and frustum shaped ceramic water filter was found to be the most efficient one. There is a minimal difference in the flow rate before and after CS coating in the filters demonstrating the Colloidal Silver coating has not affected in the filtration rate. This study concludes that locally available frustum shaped ceramic water filter after CS coating can be safely used in treating drinking water at household level.