New Mexico State University Crossing Borders and Communities for Healthy Water Joshua Gomez, Meng Zhou, Dr. Shuguang Deng Chemical and Materials Engineering Department, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, In Partnership with: NM Water Resources Research Institute NMSU Chemical Engineering Department The New Mexico Alliance for Minority Participation New Mexico Environment Department Border Partners (Non-profit) EPA 2020 National Science Foundation 1

Puerto Palomas, Chihuahua, MX New Mexico State University Located just south of Columbus, NM. Population of 4,688. Arsenic contamination ( mg/L). –Horrible Carcinogen. Fluoride contamination (5-40 mg/L). –Bone Fluorosis and neurological damage. Concentration depends entirely on well water. –Naturally occurring concentrations of arsenic and fluoride exceed the permissible limits of Mexico and the U.S. 2

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Proposed Solution Homemade water filter –Low cost <$15.00 –Easy to assemble –Removes arsenic –Removes fluoride –Utilizing activated carbon (AC) –Utilizing activated alumina(AA) Iron coated –Improves the taste New Mexico State University 4

Filter Designs New Mexico State University IN OUT AAAC 1 filter of the final design costs $5.00 to make. The Activated Alumina costs $1/kg. The Activated carbon used cost $35/lb. 5

Our Approach New Mexico State University Science teachers Juan Carlos Huerta and Joel Carreon pose with the filter they assembled for installation at the Palomas primary school. NMSU demonstrated to Palomas science teachers how to assemble a simple water filter. 6

What’s Working New Mexico State University CONTAMINANTRESULTS STANDARDS U.S.Exceeded%MexicoExceeded% Fluoride Unfiltered4.90 mg/L4.00 mg/LY mg/LY226.7 Filtered0.240 mg/L4.00 mg/LN-1.50 mg/LN- Arsenic Unfiltered0.030 mg/L0.01 mg/LY mg/LY20.0 FilteredND0.01 mg/LN-0.02 mg/LN- Hall Environmental Laboratory, Albuquerque ND = Not Detected 7

Optimization of Algae Derived Activated Carbon (AC) Low cost alternative to commercial activated carbon. More effective adsorbent than commercial carbon. Chlorella algae is used as a carbon source. Potassium Hydroxide and Iron (II) Chloride –Activating agent. Carbonization times of 500°C, 600°C, and 700°C. Shaker experiments to determine most effective adsorbent for Arsenic(III). New Mexico State University 8

Carbon Experimental data New Mexico State University 9 Mass of adsorbent Fasci, M. nabsorption.html

X-Ray Difraction Pattern New Mexico State University ? ? 10

Scanning Electron Microscope Imaging New Mexico State University 11

Unwashed FeCl(II) Activated Carbon Textural Properties New Mexico State University 500 °C FeCl2/ADC 600 °C FeCl2/ADC BET surface area (m^2/g) Average pore size (nm) Pore volume (cm^3/g) N 2 adsorption and desorption 77K for unwashed samples.

Washed FeCl(II) Activated Carbon Textural Properties New Mexico State University 500 °C ADC (after washing) 600 °C ADC (after washing BET surface area (m^2/g) Average pore size (nm) Pore volume (cm^3/g) N2 adsorption and desorption 77K for washed samples.

Shaker Experiments New Mexico State University 14 Arsenate Arsenite

Conclusions Filters are still being made in Palomas by the teachers today and will continue to be made. The results of the shaker experiments and textural property data shows that the carbon activated with Iron (II) Chloride is a viable replacement. New Mexico State University 15

Next Steps Further Development of the filter. Reach out to other communities. Advance research with optimized carbon. New Mexico State University 16

Acknowledgments New Mexico State University NSF HRD # Dr. Shuguang Deng, Chemical & Materials Engineering dept. Meng Zhou, Chemical & Materials Engineering dept. Dr. David A. Rockstraw, Chemical & Materials Engineering dept. Erin Ward, Water Resources Research Institute. Mark Chidester, Chemical & Materials Engineering dept. Peter Edmunds, Border Partners. 17

Questions? New Mexico State University 18