Filtration of radioactive fallout particles in sand filter beds
Citation:
Kaminski, M., M. Kalensky, AND M. Magnuson. Filtration of radioactive fallout particles in sand filter beds. 2023 EPA International Decontamination Conference, Charleston, SC, December 05 - 07, 2023.
Impact/Purpose:
We will discuss results of tests to quantify the filtration efficiency of surrogate fallout particles within sand bed systems operating within the range of many drinking water operations. These results will be compared to the Tufenkji and Elimelech, Yao, and Rajagopalan and Tien models for fast filtration bed flow. When combined with our prior modeling of modified filter bed systems, information from this study can help drinking water and wastewater operators decide how they can mitigate the effects of source water contamination and continue to operate during the emergency phase of a contamination event.
Description:
Radioactive fallout could have debilitating effects on drinking water and wastewater systems. At least some drinking water system operators have plans to mitigate the effects of a contaminated water source, but most, if not all, wastewater operators have no such plans. Both types of operators have little or no knowledge of the fate and disposition of radioactive fallout within the individual unit operations of their systems. We will discuss results of tests to quantify the filtration efficiency of surrogate fallout particles within sand bed systems operating within the range of many drinking water operations. These results will be compared to the Tufenkji and Elimelech, Yao, and Rajagopalan and Tien models for fast filtration bed flow. When combined with our prior modeling of modified filter bed systems, information from this study can help drinking water and wastewater operators decide how they can mitigate the effects of source water contamination and continue to operate during the emergency phase of a contamination event.