Grantee Research Project Results
Low-cost Household Water Filter for PFAS Removal
EPA Grant Number: SU839810Title: Low-cost Household Water Filter for PFAS Removal
Investigators: Wu, Tingting , Vogler, Bernhard , Thanh Vu, Chi
Institution: The University of Alabama in Huntsville
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: I
Project Period: November 1, 2019 through October 30, 2020 (Extended to December 31, 2022)
Project Amount: $24,997
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2019) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Awards , P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources
Description:
PFASs constitute a large group of persistent anthropogenic chemicals that are ubiquitous in the environment including drinking water sources. While increasing attention has been paid to the treatment of PFAS at public water systems due to their adverse environmental and public health effects, the limited ability of conventional water technologies for PFAS removal along with the aging infrastructure in the US and significant capital cost associated with retrofitting may compromise the capability of current centralized treatment systems to protect drinking water quality. This project aims to develop novel low-cost bio-hybrid adsorbents for point-of-use (POU) treatment of both long-chain and short-chain PFAS at homes/offices, and thus helps promote safe drinking water supply. Given the widespread contamination of drinking water sources by PFAS and the challenges to implementing comprehensive and uniform regulatory strategy, POU treatment can represent an inexpensive and immediate solution, which may be particularly appealing to small, rural, tribal, and disadvantaged communities.
Objective:
This research represents one of the first attempts that integrate biomolecules (e.g. proteins) with hierarchical Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) structures for selective adsorption of PFAS from drinking water. Our long term goal is to design a novel cost-effective water filter that can be conveniently used at homes/offices to address the growing concern of drinking water contamination with PFAS. The project embodies the principles of sustainability through various research activities.
Approach:
During phase I of this roject, the research team will focus on acquiring the data necessary to demonstrate proof-of-concept and lead to the development of a filtration prototype utilizing the innovative bio-hybrid adsorbents. To achieve this goal, we will undertake two major research tasks: we will first synthesize and characterize the bio-hybrid adsorbents; then the developed adsorbents will be tested for the removal of PFAS from both synthetic solutions and surface/ground water. This project will provide research and educational opportunities through engaging both graduate and undergraduate students as well as high school apprentices through outreach programs.
Expected Results:
The successful completion of the proposed project not only can result in an innovative solution that helps solve the problem of PFAS pollution, but also can lead to further scientific and technical development that exploits bio-hybrid materials for environmental applications. During phase I of this project, the research team will focus on research and development of the novel bio-hybrid adsorbents. The expected outputs include selection of bio-hybrid adsorbent materials, synthesis procedure, product characterization, PFAS removal data including model development to predict the adsorbent performance, methods for adsorbent regeneration, prototype household filters utilizing the novel bio-hybrid adsorbents, and filter design recommendations. The novel adsorbents are to be rationally designed and further tested and optimized through a series of lab experiments. Laboratory filters will be built to demonstrate the efficiency of the bio-hybrid adsorbents for PFAS removal It's expected that the results of phase I will lay a solid groundwork for phase II where the research team will focus on technology delivery and implementation.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 3 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 3 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
drinking water treatment technology, water filtration, human health, point of use, cost-effectiveProgress and Final Reports:
P3 Phase II:
Low-cost Household Water Filter for PFAS RemovalThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.