3rd TAGRA

Using rainwater as an alternative water source requires treatment approaches that reduce pollutants under real environmental conditions. In this study, a sensor-controlled treatment system based on a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofiber membrane doped with nut husk-derived activated carbon (NHAC) was developed to remove metals from actual rainwater and was operated in the field during rainfall events. The activated carbon was produced by chemically activating nut husks with K₂CO₃ and incorporated into PVA nanofiber membranes prepared by electrospinning. The membrane was integrated into an automated system comprising a rain sensor, an Arduino UNO control unit, and a motor-controlled cover mechanism. The system's performance was evaluated using actual rainwater samples collected in Gümüşhane province, without adding artificial metals. Elemental concentrations before and after treatment were determined using ICP-MS. Reductions were observed primarily in Fe and Pb levels, followed by decreases in Cr, Zn, Cu, Ni, and As concentrations; the water quality from the two-stage filtration process was compared against TSE standards to assess its suitability for domestic use. The device, which performed successfully under the examined field conditions, combines agricultural bio-waste-derived activated carbon with nanofiber membrane filtration and sensor-controlled automation. The findings support the viability of this configuration for treating actual rainwater. Acknowledgment: This study was supported by TÜBİTAK under the 2209-A University Students Research Projects Support Program (Project No: 1919B012513305).