Solar powered nanofiltration for drinking water production from fluoride-containing groundwater – A pilot

study towards developing a sustainable and low-cost treatment plant

- Extracted groundwater was passed through

a sand filter (TES C-1649-F7, TES) and a
NF module fitted with a NF90 4040
module from Dow Water & Process
Solutions.
- No chemical cleaning.
- Energy consumption 1,6 kWh/m3
(saltwater desalination 4-6 kWh/m3).
Boma Ng’ombe, northern Tanzania, high
concentration of fluoride (up to 60 mg/L) on
groundwater.

Viability of a PV powered NF filtration of fluoride- effected groundwater with high

salinity:
- Reduce salt level and the fluoride content of ground water with high initial
concentration up to 60 mg/L into less than 1,5 mg/L.
- The pilot plant operated by solar PV power, producing 240 L/h of permeate on
average at a recovery rate of around 12%.
- The concentrate has been reused for washing and toilet flushing purposes.
- The set-up of a low-cost unit could serve as the first prototype for the marketing
Fluoride concentration in feed (red) and permeate (blue), obtained via of water treatment technology in fluoride- effected regions in Africa and other
cell test measurements. continents.