Grantee Research Project Results
Treatment of Arsenic in Small Drinking Water Systems Using Self-Assembled Monolayers on Mesoporous Supports, A High-Capacity Selective Sorbent
EPA Contract Number: 68D02092Title: Treatment of Arsenic in Small Drinking Water Systems Using Self-Assembled Monolayers on Mesoporous Supports, A High-Capacity Selective Sorbent
Investigators: Usinowicz, Paul J.
Small Business: HydroPure Technologies LLC
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: October 1, 2002 through July 31, 2003
Project Amount: $99,970
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2002) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Watersheds , SBIR - Water and Wastewater , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
HydroPure Technologies, working with Battelle Pacific Northwest Division, is proposing to determine the commercial feasibility of the high-capacity selective sorbent, self-assembled monolayers on mesoporous supports (SAMMS) as an effective and commercially viable process. This sorbent has the potential advantage of fully treating arsenic (As) in drinking waters to the new Drinking Water Standard. Evaluation will include applications for new treatment systems and retrofitting to existing systems as either incorporation into existing unit operations, or as an add-on process.
SAMMS is produced from a base, nano-sized pore media that is functionalized in a patented process to create a monolayer covering that provides reactive potential. For As treatment, two types of SAMMS will be tested in laboratory transfer rate and isotherm experiments to determine the kinetics, phase distribution of As(V), and affinity of the SAMMS for As(V). A specialized SAMMS that concurrently oxidizes As(III) and sorbs As(V) also will be tested. The technical testing will determine the critical design parameters by testing actual groundwater samples with known or spiked As species. This information will provide the basis for engineering evaluation and commercialization potential of the SAMMS treatment process. Application modes for SAMMS in the removal of As include granular media beds or columns as the most likely unit configuration, although there may be applications of a powdered SAMMS, coupled with solids separation unit operations. SAMMS has the potential to serve as a stand-alone unit for waters with only As concentration problems, as a new or retrofit process for As removal, or as a polishing step for processes that treat As, but cannot meet the more stringent concentration requirement of 10 µg/L.
Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, EPA, arsenic, drinking water, self-assembled monolayers on mesoporous supports, SAMMS, treatment systems, groundwater., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Water, Environmental Chemistry, Arsenic, Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Monitoring, Drinking Water, Environmental Engineering, monitoring, public water systems, Safe Drinking Water, risk management, arsenic removal, chemical contaminants, community water system, treatment, sorbents, arsenic exposure, contaminant removal, drinking water contaminants, drinking water treatment, water treatment, monolayers, drinking water system, best available technologyProgress 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.