Overview
Excess fluoride level in ground water used for drinking is causing serious health problems in several states of India. The permissible limit of fluoride in drinking water, as per WHO, is 1 ppm. The fluoride content is found to be in the range of 2 to 20 ppm in different regions of India. The processes like reverse osmosis, ion exchange, etc., used for removal of fluoride require special equipment and periodic maintenance and is not affordable to all. There is a necessity for a “point-of-use” device for instant removal of fluoride from drinking water specially for travellers, pregnant women and school children. Alumina in the form of bohemite structure is known to be the best fluoride adsorption material. ARCI has developed alumina-polymer cross-linked beads with high porosity for removal of fluoride from water. A porous structure having high surface area increases the contact volume of water thereby improving the removal rate and efficiency. The polymer crosslinking arrests the leaching of alumina in to water.
Key Features
- Simple process
- Bead size: 1-2 mm, spherical
- Surface area: 240 m2/g
- Mesoporous
- Primary particle size: 10-30 nm
- Chemical composition: Bohemite corsslinked polymer
- Can remove 10 ppm fluoride from water in 2-30 mins depending on the volume
Potential Applications
- Toxic fluoride removal for saf Toxic fluoride removal for safe drinking watere drinking water
Status
- Basic concepts and understanding of underlying scientific principles
- Short listing possible applications
- Research to prove technical feasibility for targeted application
- Coupon level testing in stimulated conditions
- Check repeatability/ consistency at coupon level
Technology Readiness Level (TRL): 5
- ~ 1kg of silica aerogel granules can be produced in one batch from presently available lab production facility
Intellectual Property Development Index (IPDI)
Level
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Description
Basic concepts and understanding of underlying scientific principles
Shortlisting possible applications
Research to prove technical feasibility for targeted application
Coupon level testing in simulated conditions
Check repeatability/consistency
Prototype testing in real-life conditions
Check repeatability/consistency
Reassessing feasibility (IP, competition technology, commercial)
Initiate technology transfer
Support in stabilizing production
Status
| Level | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Basic concepts and understanding of underlying scientific principles | Shortlisting possible applications | Research to prove technical feasibility for targeted application | Coupon level testing in simulated conditions | Check repeatability/consistency | Prototype testing in real-life conditions | Check repeatability/consistency | Reassessing feasibility (IP, competition technology, commercial) | Initiate technology transfer | Support in stabilizing production |
| Status |
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Technology Readiness Level (TRL)
| TRL | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Basic Principles | Concept Formulation | Proof of Concept | Lab Validation | Relevant Environment | Prototype Demo | Operational Demo | System Qualified | Proven / Market Ready |
| Status |
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- Indian Patent No. 290370 : Hydrogel Beads for removal of fluoride from water and method for preparation thereof, Neha Hebalkar, V. V. Sravani