| Title of Process/ Know-how/ Product/Design/Equipment

Fast and safe defluoridation of water using alumina

IPR Status & Details:

IN 2510DEL2014

Application/Uses/Problem being addressed

Removing fluoride from groundwater using alumina

Salient Technical Features including Competing Features/ Impact

Advantages over earlier attempts:

  • Easy to setup: Setup involves flow under gravity from a height difference of 3 feet.
  • Fast Process: Flow rate of water treated is 45 LPH for 1 kg alumina, ~15x.
  • Safe Chemicals: Safe chemicals were used for all steps.
  • Cyclic & Single Reactor: All the steps involved in 3 cycles i.e. pre-treatment of alumina, fluoride removal from water, and regeneration of alumina were performed inside a single reactor.

    • TRL Level & Scale of Development:- TRL 4 TRL Reference

    (Tested at laboratory for 150 L water batch. Patented and mechanism published)

    Business scope & opportunity (in terms of scale, cost, market etc.)

    This process can be used to upgrade community level alumina based defluoridation plants

    Environmental Considerations

    NA. Process employs safer versions of earlier used chemicals.

    Status of Licensing:

    Not yet licensed

    Status of Commercialization:

    Not applicable

    Major Raw Materials Needed

    Alumina (suitable for defluoridation)

    Major Plant Equipment and Machinery Required

    Overhead or any other tank at 4 feet height and pump for filling water;

    Techno-Economics

    Costing estimated for 2000 L of treated water per day

  • Total investment cost for alumina, overhand tank, pump, and pipes - ₹13,000
  • Raw material cost per day 2000 L- ₹781
  • Alumina to be used as procured (1 kg - ₹100)
  • Regeneration via acid/base, produce solution discarded
  • Fluoride in treated water <1.5 ppm
  • Regeneration capacity is ~ 100%

    • Technology Package

    Process for alumina suitable for deflouridation; Demonstration of the process; Know-how license fee details can be obtained on request

    | Technology Photographs