Engineers have improved an old technique which kills 100% of the microbes in the water, though it is not yet potable. They still have to develop methods of cheaply removing heavy metals and other toxins from the water.
The process is an improvement of the Fenton reaction, where hydrogen peroxide is passed through metal catalysts to produce free radicals. The new and improved system utilizes a polymer sheet of resins containing copper, and as the water passes by the bacteria are bombarded by the free radicals produced.
The tests have been performed on water from the Industrial and 17th street canals, and kills 100 % of the microbes in only 15 minutes. In laboratory tests of more contaminated water, 90 minutes was needed to kill 99% of the microbes.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/01/070110180949.htm
The process is an improvement of the Fenton reaction, where hydrogen peroxide is passed through metal catalysts to produce free radicals. The new and improved system utilizes a polymer sheet of resins containing copper, and as the water passes by the bacteria are bombarded by the free radicals produced.
The tests have been performed on water from the Industrial and 17th street canals, and kills 100 % of the microbes in only 15 minutes. In laboratory tests of more contaminated water, 90 minutes was needed to kill 99% of the microbes.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/01/070110180949.htm
