Performance Evaluation of Electrolytic Defluoridation Plant in Nalchha Block, Dhar District, Madhya Pradesh

Abstract

Groundwater is major source of freshwater in India and quality assessment of groundwater for different purposes such as drinking and irrigation etc. is necessary before use due to the reason that water may be contaminated. Higher concentration of fluoride in groundwater is a global problem occurring in at least 25 countries across the globe and effecting millions of people. Excessive intake of fluoride content water causes fluorosis, a disease affecting the multiple tissues, organs and systems in the body. It is a threat to million in the country as it ultimately leads to crippled and vegetative life. NEERI has developed Electrolytic Defluoridation Plant which based on electrolytic process for removal of fluoride from Ground Water. The process is free from chemical. This process involves fluoride adsorption with freshly precipitated aluminium hydroxide (generated by anodic dissolution of Al in electrochemical cell). Electrolytic Defluoridation plants were successfully installed in Dhar in the fluoride affected villages. Performance evaluation of some of these plants from Nalchha Block is being undertaken in order to check the efficiency of removing fluoride content from ground water. Study was carried out for three different cycles in from September to November. In September cycle timing was set equals to 45 minutes and in October cycle timing was set as 90 minutes and in November cycle timing was set as 120 minutes. It was found that during the study that EDF plants produce the treated water with fluoride in limit in 2nd cycle.