Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I'm considering using flocculation and nano filters in my project about removing arsenic from water. Is there somewhere I can get the kind I would need for a small-scale project for a reasonable price? Everything I have seen has been for industrial projects or fishtanks. Thank you.

Hi Lingushka,

I did some poking around, and it looks like there are very small nanofilters for chromatography applications, but they are expensive (>$200), for the ones I could see. It looks like the aquarium nanofilters will probably be your best option, for both size and price. But, I don’t know the exact experimental set up you have in mind. You'll want to check that the pore size of the aquarium nanofilters is the same as the industrial/research nanofilters. This webpage describes the pore sizes for nanofilters:

http://www.pure-pro.com/purepro_membrane.htm

You could try calling the manufacturers of industrial/research-type nanofilters (PurePro, linked to above, is one such company), explaining that you are doing a science fair project about water purification using nanofilters, and asking for a sample. I can't guarantee that it will work, but there's nothing to lose by making the phone call.