Ukrainian scientists innovate water purification technology

By Svetlana Sytina
The Ukrainian Times

Today various sorbents, which collect contamination, are used for purifying water. However, sorbents often take up so much dirt that they turn into dangerous sources of environmental pollution.

That is why scientists tackle the alternative technologies of water purification, which are based on a physical effect on liquid and do not require costly materials, filters and sorbents. One of these technologies has been developed by scientists of the Institute of Geochemistry of the Environment under the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

Based on the use of electric current, the technology enables not only purification of water but also its disinfection. At the heart of it there is the powerful discharge of electricity akin to lightning, which is passed through water in a chamber.

Despite its large size, a purification plant designed by Ukrainian specialists is easily transportable. Therefore, it is capable of purifying liquid wherever there is need.

According to the inventors, their plant can purify liquid from any substances, even from radionuclides. It was oftentimes used for purifying waters at uranium mines and urban agglomerations, as well as for desalinating water. The high temperature and pressure, which are caused by the powerful discharge of electricity, destroy all microorganisms while water is automatically decontaminated.

The plant has a capacity to purify one ton of liquid per hour and its efficiency can be increased to 10 tons/hour. Importantly, the scientists point out energy efficiency of the plant as the purification of one cubic meter of water requires no more than two kilowatts of electric power.

The water, which has been purified by electric current, is suited for industrial use only. Additional purification with the help of standard techniques can make it drinkable. No other method can disinfect water at such a high level as the above technology, to say nothing of decontamination from radioactive products.

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