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Investigation of sustainable methods to reduce water hardness in drinking water treatment plants

Karlsson Faudot, Élise LU (2021) MVEM12 20202
Studies in Environmental Science
Abstract
Water hardness is caused by magnesium and calcium ions (Mg2+ and Ca2+), and can result in formation of deposits, destruction of soap and increase of copper corrosion in old plumbing pipes. To soften the originally hard groundwater supplying 20% of Malmö’s drinking water, Bulltofta water treatment plant imports burned lime from Germany. Approximately 66 mg/L calcium is removed in the treatment plant, lowering hardness levels from around 17 °dH to 6 °dH.

Previous experiments using plant biomass, pumice stone or plastic have demonstrated
capacities for removal of Mg2+ and Ca2+ in water. As such, they were considered as
sustainable options for reducing water hardness at Bulltofta. Theoretical calculations on the amounts required for each... (More)
Water hardness is caused by magnesium and calcium ions (Mg2+ and Ca2+), and can result in formation of deposits, destruction of soap and increase of copper corrosion in old plumbing pipes. To soften the originally hard groundwater supplying 20% of Malmö’s drinking water, Bulltofta water treatment plant imports burned lime from Germany. Approximately 66 mg/L calcium is removed in the treatment plant, lowering hardness levels from around 17 °dH to 6 °dH.

Previous experiments using plant biomass, pumice stone or plastic have demonstrated
capacities for removal of Mg2+ and Ca2+ in water. As such, they were considered as
sustainable options for reducing water hardness at Bulltofta. Theoretical calculations on the amounts required for each alternative, and their potential economical cost were made, and their environmental impact was investigated. All calculations are purely theoretical and should be experimentally validated, before definite conclusion can be drawn.

Plant biomass showed most promise as an alternative, and further investigations on
plant biomass common in Sweden could yield positive results. Rapeseed is such an example, as it has a similar composition to sugarcane bagasse, which has been proven to adsorb Mg2+ and Ca2+. Currently, the investigated alternatives are not economical nor environmentally friendly. Additionally, daily quantities required of each alternative makes them infeasible for Bulltofta. (Less)
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author
Karlsson Faudot, Élise LU
supervisor
organization
course
MVEM12 20202
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Water hardness, sustainability, Bulltofta water treatment plant, water hardness reduction, plant biomass, plastic, pumice stone, adsorption
language
English
id
9037741
date added to LUP
2021-02-01 12:02:46
date last changed
2021-02-01 12:02:59
@misc{9037741,
  abstract     = {{Water hardness is caused by magnesium and calcium ions (Mg2+ and Ca2+), and can result in formation of deposits, destruction of soap and increase of copper corrosion in old plumbing pipes. To soften the originally hard groundwater supplying 20% of Malmö’s drinking water, Bulltofta water treatment plant imports burned lime from Germany. Approximately 66 mg/L calcium is removed in the treatment plant, lowering hardness levels from around 17 °dH to 6 °dH.

Previous experiments using plant biomass, pumice stone or plastic have demonstrated
capacities for removal of Mg2+ and Ca2+ in water. As such, they were considered as
sustainable options for reducing water hardness at Bulltofta. Theoretical calculations on the amounts required for each alternative, and their potential economical cost were made, and their environmental impact was investigated. All calculations are purely theoretical and should be experimentally validated, before definite conclusion can be drawn.

Plant biomass showed most promise as an alternative, and further investigations on
plant biomass common in Sweden could yield positive results. Rapeseed is such an example, as it has a similar composition to sugarcane bagasse, which has been proven to adsorb Mg2+ and Ca2+. Currently, the investigated alternatives are not economical nor environmentally friendly. Additionally, daily quantities required of each alternative makes them infeasible for Bulltofta.}},
  author       = {{Karlsson Faudot, Élise}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Investigation of sustainable methods to reduce water hardness in drinking water treatment plants}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}