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Water hardness adsorption in volcanic rock beds from Ecuador

Abstract:

The primary objective of the present research study was to characterize the process of water hardness adsorption in rocks from the Tungurahua and Reventador volcanoes (Ecuador) by using fixed beds. The study was performed on natural material and chemically treated substrates in an alkaline medium to generate negative surface sites. The chemical composition, surface area, porosity, and pH of igneous materials were determined. From the adsorption tests, the results show that the hardness retention capacity depends on the total contents of amphoteric oxides of iron, aluminum, and titanium. The Tungurahua volcano bed showed a higher yield (65.5%) than the Reventador bed (41.6%). It is concluded that the adsorption system examined here is an innovative, simple, economic, and sustainable alternative for treating hard water that can be applied to improve water quality for domestic and agricultural use in low-income communities.