Nanofiltration

Overview and Comparison of Conventional and Nano-Based Water Treatment Technologies
Background Paper International Workshop on Nanotechnology, Water, and Development October 10 – 12, 2006 in Chennai, India

Global Dialogue on nanotechnology and the Poor: Opportunities and Risks

September 14, 2006

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Global Dialogue on Nanotechnology and the Poor: Opportunities and Risks
Thispaper was written by Meridian Institute’s Global Dialogue on Nanotechnology and the Poor: Opportunities and Risks (GDNP). The goals of the GDNP are to: (1) raise awareness about the implications of nanotechnology for the poor; (2) close the gaps within and between sectors of society to catalyze actions that address specific opportunities and risks related to nanotechnology, especiallythose of most significance to developing countries; and (3) identify ways that science and technology can play an appropriate role in the development process. The GDNP is supported by the International Development Research Centre (Canada), UK Department for International Development, and The Rockefeller Foundation (U.S.). Information about past and current activities of the GDNP isavailable at http://www.merid.org/nano. Free access to Meridian’s daily electronic news service, “Nanotechnology and Development News” is available at http://www.merid.org/NDN. Meridian Institute is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help people solve problems and make informed decisions about complex and controversial societal problems. Meridian’s mission is accomplished throughfacilitation, mediation, and consultation services. Our work focuses on a wide range of issues related to science and technology, environment and sustainability, security, and health. We work at the local, national and international levels. For more information, please visit http://www.merid.org.

Open Access
This paper is in the public domain. The authors encourage the circulation of thispaper as widely as possible. Users are welcome to download, save or distribute this paper electronically or in any other format, including in foreign language translation without written permission. We do ask that, if you distribute this paper, you credit the authors, mention Meridian Institute’s project website (http://www.merid.org/nano), and do not alter the text. An electronic copy ofthis paper can be downloaded at: http://www.merid.org/nano/watertechpaper.

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table of contents
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................................................. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................................................. 5 ................................................................................................................................................................

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CONVENTIONAL POU WATER TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES........................................................................................7 WATERTECHNOLOGIES........................................................................................7 OGIES........................................................................................ [1.1] FILTRATION ........................................................................................................................................................................7 1.1.1 CeramicFilters.............................................................................................................................................................7 1.1.2 Biosand Filters .............................................................................................................................................................8 1.1.3 Charcoal and Activated Carbon Filters...