Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

hello sir/ma'am,

My name is Neerraj and I'm working on a project to purify water using static electricity. I have found that MIT used electricity to decontaminate agricultural waste from streams, so I was thinking if we could purify water to a good extent for drinking using static electricity. I am not sure how to start, can you please help me.

yours sincerely,
Neerraj

Hi Neerraj,

A quick online search turned up references to maybe 3 or 4 methods for purifying water with electricity, including the one from MIT that you mentioned.

A great way to get started might be to complete some background research on how the various methods work. When you have an understanding of the equipment and procedures involved, you can decide if any of the methods are suitable for a school science project.

I hope this helps. Please ask again if you have more questions.

A. Norman

Thanks a lot sir

hi sir,

I googled up the methods, I couldn't find how MIT is doing it, and I am a bit familiar with the other methods like UV sterilization and purification of water through sunlight. I learnt that viruses and bacteria are charged, so even though I don't think its possible with static electricity, I want to purify water with electricity and I want observe the process up closely too.

thanks,
Neerraj

Hi Neerraj,
I did a quick search, is the following link the method that you are thinking about?

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffkart/2 ... 6e1a2740cf

If this is the one, you can take a look at their website and some of the reference links for additional information.
https://aclaritywater.com/technology/#EAOP

Good Luck and please post again if there's anything else we can do to help.
Willey

Thank you

Hi Ma'am,

I read that you can kill most microorganisms in water by applying a charge of 1 volt at a current of 100-200 nano-amperes, and I have two questions

1. How do you exactly apply the charge, do just make a circuit with wires in the water?
2. I did a conversion of the 200 nanoamps and came out as 2e-7 amps. How do I control just the current, how do I know I'm producing enough, what would happen if I applied more voltage or current?

curious,
Neerraj

Hi Neerraj,

Water does conduct electricity and it is possible to pass a current through it as you suggest. One of the Science Buddies projects is aimed at measuring the electrical conductance of drinks. The project procedure describes how you can set up a circuit to pass current from a battery through water. And the procedure provides details on how to measure the current. You may find the background information useful as well. The project is available here:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... nk#summary

Depending on the conductance of the water, you may need to add a resistor in series with the battery to get a current near the 200 nano amps you mentioned.

I hope this helps. Please ask again if you have more questions.

A. Norman