6 research outputs found

    Development and optimization of low power non-thermal plasma jet operational parameters for treating dyes and emerging contaminants

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    Emerging contaminants (ECs) have come out as the latest class of environmental contaminants, which are highly recalcitrant and toxic in nature. Currently, no suitable rectification methods are available against the ECs, resulting in a continuous increase in their concentration. Non-thermal plasma, as an advanced oxidation process, has been emerging as a promising technology against the ECs treatment. In the present work, a detailed experimental study is carried out to evaluate the efficacy of a non-thermal plasma jet with two dyes, Rhodamine B and Methylene Blue, as model contaminants. The plasma jet provided a complete dye decoloration in 30 min with an applied voltage of 6.5 kV. .OH, having the highest oxidation potential, acts as the main reactive species, which with direct action on contaminants also acts indirectly by getting converted into H2O2 and O3. Further, the effect of critical operational parameters viz., sample pH, applied voltage (4.5-6.5 kV), conductivity (5-20 mScm-1), and sample distance on plasma treatment efficacy was also examined. Out of all the assessed parameters, the applied voltage and sample conductivity was found to be the most significant operating parameter. A high voltage and low conductivity were found to favor the dye decoloration, while the pH effect was not that significant. To understand the influence of plasma discharge gas on treatment efficacy, all the experiments are conducted with Argon and Helium gases under the fixed geometrical configuration. Both the gases provided a similar dye decoloration efficiency. The DBD plasma system with complete dye removal also rendered maximum mineralization of 73 % for Rd. B, and 60 % for Met. Blue. Finally, the system's efficiency against the actual ECs (four pharmaceutical compounds, viz., metformin, atenolol, acetaminophen, and ranitidine) and microbial contaminant (Escherichia coli) was also tested.Comment: 23 pages, 7 figure

    Self-supply groundwater in five communities: Moshie Zongo, Aboabo, Kotei, Ayeduase and Apemso in Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana

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    Self-supply water has been acknowledged as a viable alternative to meeting the water needs of inhabitants. This study was designed to determine the main issues that influence self-supply water coverage in five (5) communities in the Kumasi Metropolis. The research employed a well-structured questionnaires and a total of 369 households were surveyed. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 and Microsoft Excel (2016) tools were used to analyse the data. The outcomes of the research show that a greater number of the respondents (77 %) did not have connections to the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) distribution system. Approximately, 69 % of respondents had access to alternative water sources with mechanized boreholes forming the majority (32 %). However, a greater number of the respondents (64 %) did not disinfect their water to make it potable. The most favourable drinking water source for a greater number of the residents (51 %) was sachet water. The study showed there was a significant association between respondents' type or source of water with religion (p < 0.000), household size (p < 0.000), duration of stay (p = 0.026) and number of dependents (p = 0.006). However, there was no association between type or source of water with educational level (p = 0.130), occupation (p = 0.310), income level (p = 0.139) and type of home (p = 0.102). This study revealed that self-supply is contributing to the water needs of some residents in Kumasi and could contribute to the country's accomplishment of SDG 6.1 if residents ensure that it is safely managed. To broaden the scope of the study and the impact of self-supply groundwater, additional studies should be conducted in other communities, as well as the extent of other beneficiaries who have access to self-supply facilities other than the owners
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