Anand Plappally

Bio: Anand Plappally is an academic researcher from Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur. The author has contributed to research in topics: Ceramic & Water conservation. The author has an hindex of 9, co-authored 30 publications receiving 651 citations. Previous affiliations of Anand Plappally include Ohio State University & Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Stochastic modeling of filtrate alkalinity in water filtration devices: transport through micro/nano porous clay based ceramic materials

Abstract: Clay and plant materials such as wood are the raw materials used in manufacture of ceramic water filtration devices around the world. A step by step manufacturing procedure which includes initial mixing, molding and sintering is used. The manufactured ceramic filters have numerous pores which help in water filtration. These filters fare well in microbial filtration but are plagued with alkalinity of filtrate during early use. Change in alkalinity between the water influent and effluent is defined by the difference in their corresponding pH. The development of alkalinity is a function of filtration time and the material property of the ceramic filtration devices discussed in this article. Macroscopic parameters such as degree of change in turbidity, electrical conductivity and temperature between the filter influent and effluent are the electro kinetic variables also used in the prediction of alkalinity. Flow rate through porous filtration devices influence alkalinity. The electro kinetic variables, flow and time are interdependent on each other. Multivariate stochastic regression technique is used to demonstrate the individual effect of these predictor variables.

Theoretical and Experimental Investigation of Water Flow through Porous Ceramic Clay Composite Water Filter

Abstract: Water flow through point-of-use porous ceramic water treatment fil- ters have been theoretically analyzed in this technical paper. Filters tested were manufactured by combining low cost materials namely, clay and sawdust. Three filters with distinct volume fractions of clay to sawdust (75:25, 65:35 and 50:50) were tested. Sintered clay filters casted in frustum shapes were structurally char- acterized using mercury intrusion porosimetry. A linear increase in porosity with volume fraction of sawdust was observed. Flow experiments were carried out at constant room temperature and pressure. Potable tap water was used in these studies. Flows through filters occurring with drop in the head of water under gravity were statistically analyzed. Discharges through the filters were predicted with respect to independent variables of time for cumulative discharge and volume fraction of sawdust used for manufacturing the filters. The experimental data analysis predicts a multiplicative influence of time and volume fraction of sawdust respectively, on discharge from the filters. The re- sults demonstrate a new theoretical approach for prediction of flow in similar types of heterogeneous porous media as discussed in this technical paper.

Household Production of Ceramic Water Filters in Western Rajasthan, India

Abstract: Frustum shaped clay ceramic water filters are being manufactured by the potters of the Thar Desert in India for household use. The clay composite consists of a homogeneous mixture of equal volume of clay and sawdust. A low-cost manual press, to form the clay composite into frustum shape, is developed by the present authors. This article elaborates critical investigation of the specific traditional clay-firing technique used, to achieve the required functionality and material property of the filters. Household based manufacturing of these filters is found to be markedly different from factory based production by firing process. The functional features of the clay ceramic filter, such as microbial filtration rate, flow rate, and compressive strength, are evaluated and presented. An E. coli bacteria removal efficiency of more than 99% is achieved using these clay ceramic water filters. Optimal filtration rates are achieved between ambient temperatures ranging from 30oC - 40oC.

Simplified residence time prediction models for constructed wetland water recycling systems

Abstract: The experimental farmland–channel–wetland systems (FCWS) in Guilin, China have been recently designed based on wetland water recycling systems in Midwest USA. The present article develops a methodology for simplifying the prediction of residence time as a function of the flow rate and physical shape of these contaminant removal systems. A series of two-dimensional simulation studies on surface flow through FCWS wetland of different shapes are performed. Parameters influencing hydraulic characteristics such as empirical values of inlet and outlet flow conditions, and wetland shapes are utilized as inputs to the study. Roughness coefficient was assumed to be constant across the different wetland designs discussed in this article. The mean velocity values within the wetland decreases with increase in ratio of variant inlet widths and wetland inflow rates. The results from the simulation are used as inputs for performing a multivariate multiparameter regression algorithm. This framework models the re...