Grantee Research Project Results
2020 Progress Report: 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 Period Covered by this Report: October 1, 2019 through September 30,2020
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
Objective:
The goal of this project is to develop a cyclic adsorption and Fenton oxidation-driven regeneration using a novel multifunctional biochar made from agricultural wastes for effective removal of microcystin in drinking water sources.
To achieve the stated goal, our project has the following specific objectives:
Objective 1: Produce, characterize and evaluate a novel multifunctional biochar from agricultural wastes.
Objective 2: Assess adsorption capacity and Fenton oxidation-driven regeneration efficiency of the multifunctional biochar for removal of microcystin in DI water and lake water.
Objective 3: Conduct multiple cycles of adsorption and Fenton oxidation-driven regeneration using the multifunctional biochar.
Progress Summary:
The multifunctional biochars derived from agricultural wastes were produced, characterized and applied for removal of microcystin in DI water and the real lake water. The hay-derived multifunctional biochar showed high adsorption of microcystin in DI water and the real lake water. The detailed adsorption study was conducted through the effects of pH, adsorption kinetic and isotherm experiments. The Fenton and persulfate oxidation-driven regeneration were investigated for cost effective regeneration of microcystin-saturated multifunctional biochar. Compared with the Fenton oxidation, persulfate oxidation showed higher and cost-effective regeneration leading to economical reuse of the multifunctional biochar. The persulfate oxidation-driven regeneration was optimized in terms of pH, persulfate concentration and temperature. The cyclic adsorption-regeneration process using the multifunctional biochar indicated high efficiency and cost-effectiveness for removal of microcystin in water.
Future Activities:
We will complete the cyclic adsorption/regeneration in the real lake water using the multifunctional biochar for practical assessment of the process.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 5 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Cyanotoxins, microcystin, biochar, multifunctional biochar, adsorption, Advanced oxidation, drinking waterProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe 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.