Alvaro Realpe Jimenez

Effect of nanoclays and biomass in the performance of biosand filter

In this study, the performance of an intermediate-scale biosand filter modified with nanoclays and rice husks (used as filter media) was evaluated through the determination of pathogen removal efficiency and physicochemical properties of filtered water. There were carried out the physicochemical (pH, Electrical conductivity and turbidity) and microbiological analysis (total and fecal coliforms) on the filtered water samples collected in a period of 21 days. Favorable results were obtained in both physicochemical and microbiological parameters within the permitted levels.

Synthesis of Proton Exchange Membranes from Acrylic Ester and Styrene Resin

In this work, an styrene-acrylic ester copolymer resin was used to synthesize proton exchange membranes for its application in fuel cells. The properties of these membranes were modified by the sulfonation reaction at different times. Furthermore, the water uptake, ion exchange capacity and mechanical properties were measured. Sulfonated membrane during 3 h exhibited high water uptake and proton exchange, 38.10% and 0.24 meq/g, respectively; while unmodified membranes exhibits low water uptake and proton exchange, 16.08% and 0.1 meq/g respectively. Moreover, elasticity of the membrane increases with increasing the sulfonation reaction time due to the introduction of sulfonic groups into the polymer chain. The properties of membranes confirm the possibility of its use as a proton exchange membrane.