Grantee Research Project Results
Simultaneous Removal of Arsenite As (III) and Arsenate As (V) From Drinking Water Using a Novel Photoactive Adsorbent
EPA Contract Number: 68D02096Title: Simultaneous Removal of Arsenite As (III) and Arsenate As (V) From Drinking Water Using a Novel Photoactive Adsorbent
Investigators: Zeltner, Walter A.
Small Business: Microporous Oxides Science and Technology LLC
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: October 1, 2002 through July 31, 2003
Project Amount: $99,996
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2002) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Water and Wastewater , Watersheds , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
With the maximum contaminant level for arsenic in drinking water decreasing from 50 ppb to 10 ppb in 2006, a heavy financial burden will be placed on small water-treatment facilities serving less than 10,000 people. At present, adsorption on activated alumina is preferred for removing arsenic in these small facilities because this process has relatively low capital costs and low operating expenses. However, adsorption processes employing activated alumina require a pH between 5.5 and 6.0 for optimum arsenic removal. Because these pH values are outside the pH range at which most water treatment plants operate (pH between 6 and 8.5), most plants install a separate pH adjustment unit before the adsorption process. This pH effect is likely due to the adsorption of arsenate or other protolyzable anions on the activated alumina, which lowers its isoelectric pH (IEP) from 8.2 to approximately 5.5 to 6. Although this effect will occur with most adsorption media, materials having higher IEPs than activated alumina have higher arsenic adsorption capacities at pH values typical of drinking water. Another concern with arsenic removal is treating arsenite, which is uncharged at the pH of drinking water and so is difficult to remove by adsorption or ion exchange. Processes for removing arsenite typically oxidize arsenite to arsenate and then adsorb the arsenate. Use of a TiO2 photocatalyst has been shown to significantly accelerate the photooxidation of arsenite.
Recent studies in the laboratory of Professor Anderson at the University of Wisconsin have shown that both arsenic species can be removed in a photocatalytic adsorption process using a novel thin-film material. In addition, because this material has a higher IEP than alumina, it is not necessary to adjust the pH of the removal process. These new materials not only adsorb both species equally well but have significantly higher capacities for removing arsenic than activated aluminas. In this research project, Microporous Oxides Science and Technology will select an appropriate substrate for these thin-film adsorbents and obtain data to demonstrate that this process is not only superior to present arsenic removal systems, but competes favorably with other systems in cost while treating other types of contaminants (e.g., the photocatalyst mineralizes most organics to CO2, water, and mineral salts, and may photoplate heavy metals on the photocatalyst). By placing these thin films on optical wave-guide delivery systems, and by using a unique pulsed UV light source furnished by Novatron, Inc., that will likely destroy pathogens such as Cryptosporidium, it should be possible to develop a commercially viable, cost-effective drinking water treatment system for small and mid-sized communities.
Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, EPA, drinking water, arsenic removal, alumina, arsenite, arsenate, photoactive adsorbent, isoelectric pH, optical wave-guide delivery system, Cryptosporidium., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Water, Environmental Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Arsenic, Drinking Water, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Monitoring, community water system, photooxidation, Safe Drinking Water, treatment, monitoring, chemical contaminants, contaminant removal, best available technology, pathogens, drinking water system, drinking water contaminants, drinking water treatment, water treatment, photoactive adsorbent, risk management, public water systems, cryptosporidium , arsenic contaminated sediment, arsenic exposure, arsenic removalProgress 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.