Utilization of Ethiopian Kaolinite Clay for De-Fluoridation of Ground Water

Kaolinite clay adsorbent predictable to absorbs fluorine ion from ground water. Since clay materials have remarkable thermal stability, high surface area for adsorption. In addition, clay materials have contained both positive and negative charges. In particular kaolinite clay contains abundant silicate and aluminum at entire surface of the adsorbent. As result kaolinite adsorbent will have a potential of ion exchange capacity to absorb fluorine. The effect of operational parameters such as, effect of temperature, pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage and size of particle as well as adsorption isotherm modeling on both raw and activated kaolinite clay were investigated. Fluoride removal on to activated kaolinite clay has obtained as highly removal efficiency at initial fluoride concentration of 20mg/L, pH of 6, contact time of 60 min, temperature of 50oC, adsorbent dosage of 1g/100mL and particle size of less than 0.075µm.