Terracotta Filter Disc Description
The terafil terracotta filter consists of two
cylindrical terracotta buckets with a terafil
ceramic disc filter fitted in the middle. The raw
water is stored in the upper bucket and the lower
bucket has a spigot and serves as a collection
vessel. The terafil filter ceramic disc is
manufactured from a mixture of red silt clay
(ordinary pottery clay), river sand, wood sawdust
and burnt at a high temperature in a low cost kiln.
The red terracotta clay, which is used to prepare
domestic earthenwares, is abundantly available in
many parts of India and elsewhere in the world. The
wood sawdust is burnt and the clay particles are
sintered around the sand particles, leaving pores
in between.
Development
The design of this filter came from Surendra Khuntia, Scientist and Divisional Director of the Regional Research Laboratory in Bhubaneswar, India.
Development
The design of this filter came from Surendra Khuntia, Scientist and Divisional Director of the Regional Research Laboratory in Bhubaneswar, India.
Performance
Average flow rates 2 litres / hour. The lifespan of
the filter is five years.
Comments
The TERAFIL filter is able to reduce up to 95% of bacteria with no disinfection, under laboratory conditions. However, high bacteria removal rates do not necessarily imply that the filtered water is drinkable. Therefore, it is recommended that some form of disinfection be carried out in addition to filtration to ensure 100% bacteria free drinking water.
Comments
The TERAFIL filter is able to reduce up to 95% of bacteria with no disinfection, under laboratory conditions. However, high bacteria removal rates do not necessarily imply that the filtered water is drinkable. Therefore, it is recommended that some form of disinfection be carried out in addition to filtration to ensure 100% bacteria free drinking water.
Benefits & Drawbacks
Benefits
- Simple
- Excellent microbial removal
- Can be constructed of local materials
- Income generation
- Fragile
- Low flow (1-2 litres / hr.)
- Requires frequent cleaning
Cost
Unit cost of Terafil Filter – Rs.25
Rs.200 (With terracotta container)
Rs.200 (With terracotta container)
Resources
References
& Links
Contact Information
- Mr. S. Khuntia
Head, Rural Technology Development Department
Regional Research Laboratory
Bhubaneswar 751013, Orissa
Phone: 0674-584091-4
Fax: 581637
Email: root [at] csrrlbhu [dot] ren [dot] nic [dot]
Email: khuntias [at] yahoo [dot] com - National Institute of Rural
Development
Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-500030,
Andhra Pradesh, India
Phone: +91-40-24008522
Fax: +91-40-24015277
Email: karaju [at] nird [dot] gov [dot] in