Removal of arsenic from contaminated groundwater by solar-driven membrane distillation

Experimental investigations were carried out on removal of arsenic from contaminated groundwater by employing a new flat-sheet cross flow membrane module fitted with a hydrophobic polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF) microfiltration membrane The new design of the solar-driven membrane module in direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) configuration successfully produced almost 100 per cent arsenic-free water from contaminated groundwater in a largely fouling-free operation while permitting high fluxes under reduced temperature polarization For a feed flow rate of 0120 m(3)/h, the 013 mu m PVDF membrane yielded a high flux of 74 kg/(m(2) h) at a feed water temperature of 40 degrees C and, 95 kg/m(2) h at a feed water temperature of 60 degrees C. The encouraging results show that the design could be effectively exploited in the vast arsenic-affected rural areas of South-East Asian countries blessed with abundant sunlight particularly during the critical dry season. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All tights reserved.