Grantee Research Project Results
Removal of Cyanotoxins by Multifunctional Biochars
EPA Grant Number: SU839963Title: Removal of Cyanotoxins by Multifunctional Biochars
Investigators: Kan, Eunsung , Venkataraman, Kartik
Institution: Tarleton State University
EPA Project Officer: Callan, Richard
Phase: I
Project Period: October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020 (Extended to September 30, 2021)
Project Amount: $25,000
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:
In this project, we will develop a cyclic adsorption and Fenton oxidation-driven regeneration process using a novel multifunctional biochar (MFB) to effectively remove cyanotoxin (i.e., microcystin) in drinking water sources. The MFB will be produced from agricultural wastes via one-step iron-mediated pyrolysis/activation which is simpler as well as more economical and environmentally friendly than current pyrolysis and activation methods. The MFB will efficiently adsorb microcystin in water due to its high surface area and iron oxides. Once the MFB will be fully saturated with microcystin, the microcystin-saturated MFB will be regenerated by adding dilute H2O2 to the MFB where the iron oxides in MFB and H2O2 will make in-situ Fenton oxidation for degradation of microcystin in the MFB. After the Fenton oxidation-driven regeneration, the regenerated MFB will be reused for adsorption of microcystin in water. Thus, the cyclic adsorption and Fenton oxidation-driven regeneration using the MFB will provide cost-effective and highly efficient solution for removal of microcystin in water.
Objective:
The goal of this project is to develop a cyclic adsorption and Fenton oxidation-driven regeneration using a novel MFB made from agricultural wastes for effective removal of microcystin in drinking water sources.
Approach:
First, a novel MFB will be prepared via one-step iron-mediated pyrolysis/activation, characterized, and evaluated in terms of its adsorption and Fenton oxidation capacities for microcystin under the selected conditions (Task 1). Second, the adsorption and Fenton oxidation-driven regeneration for microcystin will be studies in detail (Task 2). The adsorption capacities and mechanisms of the MFB for microcystin in DI water will be investigated via adsorption isotherm and kinetic experiments. Once the MFB will be fully saturated with microcystin, the Fenton oxidation-driven regeneration of the MFB will be conducted at various pH and H2O2 concentration. The adsorption and Fenton oxidation-driven regeneration will be also applied to degradation of microcystin in lake water for practical application. Finally, cyclic adsorption and Fenton oxidation-driven regeneration for effective removal of microcystin in lake water will be developed (Task 3). Five cycles of the integrated process will be conducted for predicting practical feasibility of this process. In all experiments, the concentration of microcystin, its oxidation products and H2O2 will be analyzed in triplicate.
Expected Results:
The proposed project will contribute to sustainability by effective removal of cyanotoxins and enhancement of water quality (Environmental impact); protection of human health and environment, education of environmental issues, recruitment of student team from minority groups (Social impact); sustainable and secure management of water resources used for community, agriculture and industries (Economic impact). Expected outputs will include cost-effective production of MFB and a cyclic adsorption and Fenton oxidation-driven regeneration using a novel MFB for cost effective removal of microcystin in drinking water sources. The successful completion of this project will result in significantly reducing cyanotoxin-derived risks in environments, water resources and human health. The proposed process will be also used for treatment of other emerging contaminants in water and wastewater.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 5 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 2 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Cyanotoxins, microcystin, biochar, multifunctional biochar, adsorption, Fenton oxidation, drinking waterProgress and Final Reports:
The 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.