Design of a Gravity-Fed, Solar-Powered Water Filtration System Using Moringa oleifera Seed Bioactive Coagulant for Rural Waterborne Pathogen Removal
Keywords:
solar-powered, gravity-fed, ASPEN Plus, Moringa oleifera, coagulation, membrane filtration, water treatment, Eschericha coli, Vibrio choleraeAbstract
This study presents the design, optimization, and performance evaluation of a gravity-fed, solar-powered water filtration system integrating Moringa oleifera seed bioactive coagulant with 0.22 um membrane filtration for the removal of waterborne pathogens endemic to the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The research was conducted in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, targeting Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae contamination in rural water sources. Moringa seed protein was extracted using the optimized salt extraction method (0.5 M NaCl, pH 7.0, 25 degrees C), yielding 28.4 percent protein content with confirmed bioactive polypeptides via FTIR spectroscopy. Jar test optimization revealed optimal coagulation conditions at 2.0 g/L coagulant dose and pH 7.0, achieving 91.2 percent turbidity removal and 88.4 percent total suspended solids (TSS) reduction. Integration with gravity-fed 0.22 um membrane filtration reduced E. coli from 2400 to 18 CFU/100 mL (99.3 percent removal) and V. cholerae from 1800 to 12 CFU/100 mL (99.3 percent removal). ASPEN Plus process simulation validated system feasibility with 95.3 percent turbidity removal at an energy requirement of 0.12 kWh/mu3. The total capital expenditure was estimated at USD 310 with annual operating costs of USD 46, making the system economically viable for rural deployment. This research provides a sustainable, decentralized water treatment solution adaptable to existing borehole infrastructure across the Niger Delta region.
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