SHREE SHIVA MODEL SECONDARY SCHOOL
Kawasoti -2
CHEMISTRY PROJECT REPORT
ON TITLE
"A Study and Development of a Water Filter (Charcoal Filter) with
Sand to Monitor Water Quality"
Submitted by: Submitted to:
Deepti Poudel Tej Narayan Chapagain
Class: 11 (Science) (Supervisor)
Roll no: 13 Shiva Model Secondary School
Session: 2081-2082 B.S Kawasoti-2
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Deepti Poudel, a student of Class eleven at Shree
Shiva Secondary School, has successfully completed the report on the
topic " Study and Development of a Water Filter (Charcoal Filter) with
Sand to Monitor Water Quality " under the guidance of Tej Narayan
Chapagain (TNC).
This project is actually genuine and does not include any kind of
plagiarism. The report reflect Dipti Poudel Hardwork, and Dedication in
researching, and analyzing.
.................... ....................
Principal Subject Teacher
Arjun Prasad Poudel Tej Narayan Chapagain
AIM
"To Study and Development of a Water Filter (Charcoal Filter)
with Sand to Monitor Water Quality"
Acknowledgements
It is a matter of great pride for us to carry out this type of project which helps a lot
to broaden our mind & increase our knowledge regarding the water filtration. We
would like to thank our chemistry teacher Mr. Tej Narayan Chapagain for
providing the opportunity to walk on this project related to the study and design
water filter, we would also like to thanks lab in charge to help us in every possible
manner.
Lastly, I extend my appreciation to our friends and family for their constant
support, which kept me focused and dedicated to this project.
DECLARATION
I, the undersigned students of Shiva Secondary School, Kawasoti-2, Nawalpur,
solemnly declare that this project report, titled “ To Study and Development
of a Water Filter (Charcoal Filter) with Sand to Monitor Water
Quality,” is an original and authentic work undertaken by us. The content of this
report is derived from our research
We further affirm that this report has neither been published nor submitted
elsewhere for academic or professional purposes. It has been prepared solely for
the fulfillment of our coursework, under the esteemed guidance of our Chemistry
teacher, Mr. Tej Narayan Chapagain.
By,
Dipti Poudel
Class:11
Shiva Secondary School, Kawasoti-2, Nawalpur
CONTENTS
Introduction………………………………………………………………….. 1
Materials……………………………………………………………………………….……. 2
Principle………………………………………………………………………………..……. 3
Experimentation/Procedure……………………………………………………………….. 4
Observation…………………………………………………………………………….……. 5
Results and Discussion…………………………………………………………………...…. 6
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………… 7
Recommendations for Further Work……………………………………………………… 8
References ……………………………………………………………………………….…. 9
Glimpse of research………………………………………………………………………….
…………… 10
INTRODUCTION
Water is an essential resource for all forms of life, playing a critical role in daily
activities such as drinking, cooking, cleaning, and agriculture. Despite covering
approximately 71% of the Earth's surface, a significant portion of water is saline
and unsuitable for direct consumption. Only a small fraction is freshwater, and
even then, it is often contaminated with impurities like sediments, microorganisms,
and chemical pollutants.
Access to clean and safe drinking water remains a global challenge, particularly in
developing regions where waterborne diseases are prevalent due to inadequate
sanitation and water treatment facilities. Contaminated water can lead to serious
health issues, including cholera, dysentery, and typhoid fever. Therefore,
developing effective and affordable water purification methods is crucial for public
health and well-being.
One of the most effective materials for water purification is activated carbon,
known for its exceptional adsorption properties. Activated carbon is produced by
processing carbon-rich materials like coal, wood, or coconut shells to develop a
highly porous structure, significantly increasing its surface area. This porosity
allows activated carbon to effectively trap a wide range of contaminants, including
organic compounds, chlorine, and various pollutants. Among the sources, coconut
shell-based activated carbon is particularly valued for its high density and superior
adsorption capacity, making it a preferred choice despite its higher cost .
Materials
The materials used in constructing the water filter are:
Charcoal (from burnt wood and coconut shells)
Clean stones (both large and small)
Fine sand
Filter paper (used as the bottom-most filtering layer)
A plastic bottle (serving as the container)
Dirty, muddy water (source of contamination)
Alum
Principle
The water filter functions based on a combination of physical and adsorption
processes. Large solid impurities and visible particles in muddy water are
removed through physical trapping by sand, alum, gravel, and filter paper.
These layers act as barriers that block suspended solids. The charcoal, made
from wood and coconut shells, is key to adsorbing dissolved organic
compounds, removing odors, and slightly altering the pH of the water. Alum
clumps together tiny impurities into bigger pieces so they settle down, making
water much cleaner before final filtration. The filter paper assists in capturing
finer particles, further improving the water’s clarity. This simple, eco-friendly
filtration method mimics natural processes like those seen in soil and
groundwater movement.
Experimentation/Procedure
A clean plastic bottle was cut in half and inverted to create the filter container.
The filtration system was constructed with the following layers from top to
bottom:
Charcoal chamber: Contained activated charcoal made from wood and
coconut shell to remove impurities and odors.
Sand chamber: Fine sand was added to trap smaller particles.
Gravel and stone chamber: Included small and large stones to filter out
larger debris.
Filter paper and cotton cloth layer: Placed to catch any remaining fine
particles.
Alum layer: Alum was added at the bottom to aid in coagulating fine dirt
particles, making them easier to filter.
Muddy water was slowly poured into the top of the filter system.
The filtered water was collected in a clean container placed beneath the system .
Fig: Pouring of muddy water on purifier
Observation
Before Filtration:
o The water was muddy and opaque, with visible particles suspended
throughout.
o It emitted an unpleasant odor.
After Filtration:
o The water appeared significantly clearer, with most visible particles
removed.
o The odor was noticeably reduced.
o The flow rate of water through the filter was steady, indicating
effective filtration.
Results and Discussion
After filtration, the muddy water improved in appearance . Sand and stones
effectively removed suspended particles, while the charcoal layer reduced odors,
sand reduced the tiny and big particles and alum coagulate find dirt particle
making easier to filter. The filter paper played a crucial role in capturing finer
sediments, leading to clearer water
Fig: Pure water
Conclusion
This project demonstrates that dirty, muddy water can be purified using simple,
natural materials like charcoal, sand, stones, and filter paper. The filtration system
is eco-friendly, does not require electricity, and avoids the use of chemicals. It can
significantly improve water clarity and make water more suitable for basic uses,
especially in areas with limited access to clean water.
Recommendations for Further Work
Refining the filtration process by experimenting with different materials or
adjusting the layer thickness could yield better results. Future projects could also
incorporate tests such as turbidity and bacterial analysis using specialized
equipment. Promoting awareness of these simple filtration methods could benefit
communities in rural or emergency situations.
References
CDC Nepal. (Year). Pioneer Practical Chemistry [Part – II] Grade – 11 .
GLIMPSE OF RESEARCH
Fig: During project