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Flocculant/Disinfectant Powder

cdc.gov

41–50 of 99 posts

Re: Flocculant/Disinfectant Powder

#42
post #38

I worked as an extraction metallurgist in semi desert mines and we used an aluminium based flocculant (alum) to clarify water in dams with rotating stirrers. Quite an old concept and not expensive.

Yes - many years ago when I lived and worked in South Asia, it was common knowledge that swishing a lump of alum around in your bucket of dirty water would help to settle the sediment. Obviously it doesn't provide total purity, but it was a lot better than doing nothing. Apparently even the ancient Egyptians knew about this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_alum#In_antiquity

Here in Thailand they sell those chunks of alum at village shops. Called สารส้ม in Thai. Villagers follow the same routine, swish it around in a bucket of dirty water to settle it out. Photo on the page at this link: https://pantip.com/topic/38053321

Re: Flocculant/Disinfectant Powder

#43
post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Literally in the first sentence of the article (A P&G™ sachet (Proctor & Gamble)). Company name.

Procter not Proctor. Common spelling mistake :)

From Ancient Greek "proktos" (phonetically), meaning "anus".

"Proctologists and gamblers" form a water-disinfectant powder. What a weird world we live in!

Re: Flocculant/Disinfectant Powder

#44
This is great, but what happens to the sachets? Are the biodegradable? When I was in India a few years ago I was struck by all the newly introduced non biodegradable packing strewn about EVERYWHERE. The old unfired clay cups used by road-side tea vendors were great, but they were rapidly being replaced by little white plastic cups. Plastic is a scourge on the land and water resources.

Re: Flocculant/Disinfectant Powder

#45
post #6
post #2

Saw this stuff on Mark Robers channel. Pretty amazing stuff. Been thinking of finding some for an emergency kit.

How is it better than existing water purification tabs or a filter like lifestraw?

A lifestraw is better at removing bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. See page 7 here. https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/publications/hwt...

I don't know the cost of lifestraws to NGOs, but I guess they're more expensive. And you need one lifestraw per person, where these sachets can do bulk buckets of water.

Re: Flocculant/Disinfectant Powder

#48
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

3.5 cents to PRODUCE. Not to ship halfway around the world, warehouse, pick, package and ship.

Each sachet of P&G™ is provided to global emergency relief organizations or non-governmental organizations at a cost of 3.5 US cents, not including shipping from Pakistan by ocean container. Transport, distribution, education, and community motivation can add significantly to program costs. Sachets are generally sold at product cost recovery for 10 US cents each, for a cost of 1 US cent per liter treated. 10 cents fo…

Yes. 10 cents is not two dollars, which some Amazon sellers are charging.

Re: Flocculant/Disinfectant Powder

#49
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The 'zon has it, but at an outrageous markup over the 3.5 cents per packet mentioned in the article.

3.5 cents to PRODUCE. Not to ship halfway around the world, warehouse, pick, package and ship.

So you're arguing that it costs two bucks to ship it?

Yeah, no.

As the other poster noted, the article explicitly says that the retail price, including shipping, is about 10 cents.

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