Assoc. Prof. Bernard Thole

Assoc. Prof. Bernard Thole

Author

Physics & Biochemical Sciences

15 publications

Working with Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences since 2001. Currently an associate Professor in Applied Chemistry. Worked with the Malawi Bureau of Standards as a Standards Development Manager in the Chemicals & Textiles Division between 1996 to 2001.
Have supervised 4 PhD, 5 MPhil...

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Initial Fluoride Concentration and Loading Capacity in Defluoridation with Bauxite, Gypsum, Magnesite and their Composite

Journal Article
Published 1 year ago, 284 views
Author
Assoc. Prof. Bernard Thole
Co-authors
Assoc. Prof. Bernard Thole
Abstract
One of the parameters that impact on fluoride sorption capacities of materials in water defluoridation is initial concentration. Water from various sources will have different fluoride concentrations; as such the employment of a particular media in defluoridation requires information on how the media will perform in different concentrations. Consequently, research was carried out to determine how initial fluoride concentrations in raw water affect capacity in defluoridation with bauxite, gypsum, magnesite and their composite, and to investigate the possibility of predicting loading capacity of their composite filter through initial fluoride concentration to optimize their application in defluoridation. The results showed that sorption capacities increased with increase in initial concentrations. However, higher starting concentrations resulted in larger residual fluoride concentrations; as such the benefit of large sorption capacities obtained was overshadowed. Polynomial relations of capacity (Cs, mg/g) and initial concentration (Co, mg/l), were obtained for bauxite and gypsum. Magnesite obtained a logarithmic relation for Cs and Co. A power relation was obtained between Cs and Co for their composite, Cs = 0.0328C1.20160. Approximation of capacities of this composite from initial fluoride concentrations was feasible. Water defluoridation has become important as a result of dental and skeletal fluorosis.
Year of Publication
2014
Journal Name
Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development
Volume
4
Issue
2
Page Numbers
200–205.
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