Single-stage ionic and microbiological purification process for producing drinking water from Aegean Sea water

This study presents a process developed for the simultaneous removal of both microbiological and ionic contaminants from Aegean Sea water to produce potable and domestic water. Electrodialysis was performed in continuous mode during the study. A cell design containing anion exchange, cation exchange, and bipolar membranes was used Three key operational parameters—temperature, electrical potential, and flow rate—were systematically varied in the experimental design. In these parameters, microbiological analyses such as Total Coliform, Enterococcus, Cl. Perfringens, Total viable count (TVC) at 22 °C and Total viable count at 36 °C were examined in the Aegean Sea water at certain time intervals. At the same time, changes in the concentrations of Ca+ 2, K+, Mg+2,Cl- and Na+ were examined. As a result, it was determined that the mass transfer rate for ions increased with increasing potential difference, flow rate and temperature and that there were no living organisms left after the first 10 min. Under the conditions of 12.5 V, 0.5 L/min, and 30 °C, the seawater was analyzed and treatment efficiencies of 98–99 % for Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions and, 58–72 % treatment efficiencies for Mg+ and Ca+ ions were reached at 540th minute. The potential difference was found to be the most influential parameter affecting the process efficiency. The treated water met WHO international standards for both ionic composition and microbiological safety. The study is promising in terms of the separation of water containing both bacteria and ions in a single process without requiring additional processing in the face of future water scarcity.