Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a system that purifies water by removing nitrate and detoxifying the remaining compound. The system includes a water pretreatment component that controls the flow of fluid and removes organic matter, which can interfere with the photocatalytic process. The fluid is then processed through a photocatalytic reactor that converts the nitrate into an inert material. The new compound can be disposed of in a landfill with no concern of contaminating ground water. The innovation is equipped with sensors to monitor the fluid to determine the quality of the purification process. The process is self-adjusting and changes the flow of fluid and light intensity to insure the best quality of purified water. This innovation provides low-cost, purified water and removes hazardous material from the environment.
Potential Applications
- Water Purification
- Textile Industry
- Agricultural Industry
- Electronics Industry
Benefits and Advantages
- Lower Costs – Uses inexpensive equipment with low maintenance costs
- Better Quality – The process is self-monitoring and self-adjusting
- Retrofit – Can be easily installed in existing manufacturing processes
For more information about the inventor(s) and their research, please see
Dr. Paul Westerhoff's directory webpage