Science Inventory

ULTRASONIC ENHANCEMENT OF THE REMOVAL OF HEAVY METALS

Impact/Purpose:

It is proposed to investigate the effect of enhanced removal of heavy metal contaminants (silver, zinc, etc.) using high intensity ultrasound in water and also to determine the optimal design parameters of frequency, intensity, and location of ultrasonic transducers for a pilot treatment plant. This technique is based on the agglomeration phenomena of small colloidal particles caused by the orthokinetic and the hydrodynamic forces of ultrasound in a standing (stationary) wave pattern. When subjected to sonication, the small colloids agglomerate until their mass is sufficiently large for the traditional sedimentation or filtration process. The proposers will use finite element models to select optimal experimental parameters. Based on the finite element results, experiments will be conducted using a set of two continuous flow reactor systems. One reactor will be used as a control volume while the other will be sonicated in order to achieve a standing wave pattern. Standard tests using calibrated turbidimeter, atomic adsorption spectrophotometer, and Zeta meter will be employed to quantify the experimental data. Repeated measurements and blind tests will be used to ensure quality control of the results.

A two year project is proposed. During year one, gravimetric separation of solids will be used. Year two's studies will focus on enhancing media filtration processes with pretreatment of filtered waters with ultrasound. Solutions with heavy metals (Ag, Zn, etc.) will be used in the studies. Initially, application to industry wastewater treatment for heavy metal removal using ultrasound will be quantitatively analyzed. Based on the data obtained, preliminary design document for a pilot wastewater ultrasonic enhancement system will be developed. The team of principal investigators represent a multi-disciplinary team with expertise in ultrasonics, finite element modeling, mechanics, and environmental engineering. Graduate stu It is proposed to investigate the effect of enhanced removal of heavy metal contaminants (silver, zinc, etc.) using high intensity ultrasound in water and also to determine the optimal design parameters of frequency, intensity, and location of ultrasonic transducers for a pilot treatment plant. This technique is based on the agglomeration phenomena of small colloidal particles caused by the orthokinetic and the hydrodynamic forces of ultrasound in a standing (stationary) wave pattern. When subjected to sonication, the small colloids agglomerate until their mass is sufficiently large for the traditional sedimentation or filtration process. The proposers will use finite element models to select optimal experimental parameters. Based on the finite element results, experiments will be conducted using a set of two continuous flow reactor systems. One reactor will be used as a control volume while the other will be sonicated in order to achieve a standing wave pattern. Standard tests using calibrated turbidimeter, atomic adsorption spectrophotometer, and Zeta meter will be employed to quantify the experimental data. Repeated measurements and blind tests will be used to ensure quality control of the results.

A two year project is proposed. During year one, gravimetric separation of solids will be used. Year two's studies will focus on enhancing media filtration processes with pretreatment of filtered waters with ultrasound. Solutions with heavy metals (Ag, Zn, etc.) will be used in the studies. Initially, application to industry wastewater treatment for heavy metal removal using ultrasound will be quantitatively analyzed. Based on the data obtained, preliminary design document for a pilot wastewater ultrasonic enhancement system will be developed. The team of principal investigators represent a multi-disciplinary team with expertise in ultrasonics, finite element modeling, mechanics, and environmental engineering. Graduate st

Description:

EPA GRANT NUMBER: R828598C020
Title: Ultrasonic Enhancement of the Removal of Heavy Metals
Investigators: Dennis Truax, Krishnan Balasubramaniam
Institution: Mississippi State University
EPA Project Officer: S. Bala Krishnan
Project Period: September 1, 2000 - August 31, 2004
Project Amount: $0
RFA: Gulf Coast Hazardous Substance Research Center (Lamar University)
Research Categories: Hazardous Waste/Remediation, Targeted Research

Description

Objective:It is proposed to investigate the effect of enhanced removal of heavy metal contaminants (silver, zinc, etc.) using high intensity ultrasound in water and also to determine the optimal design parameters of frequency, intensity, and location of ultrasonic transducers for a pilot treatment plant. This technique is based on the agglomeration phenomena of small colloidal particles caused by the orthokinetic and the hydrodynamic forces of ultrasound in a standing (stationary) wave pattern. When subjected to sonication, the small colloids agglomerate until their mass is sufficiently large for the traditional sedimentation or filtration process. The proposers will use finite element models to select optimal experimental parameters. Based on the finite element results, experiments will be conducted using a set of two continuous flow reactor systems. One reactor will be used as a control volume while the other will be sonicated in order to achieve a standing wave pattern. Standard tests using calibrated turbidimeter, atomic adsorption spectrophotometer, and Zeta meter will be employed to quantify the experimental data. Repeated measurements and blind tests will be used to ensure quality control of the results.

A two year project is proposed. During year one, gravimetric separation of solids will be used. Year two's studies will focus on enhancing media filtration processes with pretreatment of filtered waters with ultrasound. Solutions with heavy metals (Ag, Zn, etc.) will be used in the studies. Initially, application to industry wastewater treatment for heavy metal removal using ultrasound will be quantitatively analyzed. Based on the data obtained, preliminary design document for a pilot wastewater ultrasonic enhancement system will be developed. The team of principal investigators represent a multi-disciplinary team with expertise in ultrasonics, finite element modeling, mechanics, and environmental engineering. Graduate stu

dent training will also be provided. The capital cost of the proposed system will depend on several factors including the volume of removal, removal rate, type of heavy metal, etc. Due to recent developments in economical solid state power supply and amplifiers, as well as low cost peizo-transducers, the capital cost of the ultrasonic system is expected to be reasonable when compared with existing methods. It is anticipated that the primary advantage of this system will be the significantly lower operating costs since there are no expendable materials. The enhancement will also increase the efficiency of the heavy metal removal process and reduce removal time. Also, the proposed method will significantly reduce the requirement of chemicals currently used for heavy metal removal, thus increasing the cost effectiveness of the technology. This method can also potentially reduce the quantify of hazardous waste sludge and, hence, decrease waste managements costs associated with safe disposal.

Supplemental Keywords: Water, Waste, Scientific Discipline, RFA, Wastewater, Physics, Hazardous Waste, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Chemistry, industrial wastewater, heavy metals, ultrasonic, turbidmeter, hydrodynamics, hazardous organic contaminants, colloidal particles, gravimetric separation, orthokinetics, hazardous substance disposal, hazardous waste disposal, hazardous waste management, hazardous waste treatment, atomic adsorption, sludge

URLs/Downloads:

truax.html

Record Details:

Record Type:PROJECT( ABSTRACT )
Start Date:09/01/2000
Completion Date:08/31/2004
Record ID: 53217