Grantee Research Project Results
2021 Progress Report: Improved Methods to Manage PFASs for Small Water and Wastewater Treatment Systems in Rural Areas
EPA Grant Number: R840080Title: Improved Methods to Manage PFASs for Small Water and Wastewater Treatment Systems in Rural Areas
Investigators: Huang, Qingguo , Chen, Yongsheng , Huang, Ching-Hua , Li, Ke , Hawkins, Gary
Institution: University of Georgia , Georgia Institute of Technology
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2023 (Extended to August 31, 2025)
Project Period Covered by this Report: September 1, 2020 through August 31,2021
Project Amount: $1,599,954
RFA: National Priorities: Research on PFAS Impacts in Rural Communities and Agricultural Operations (2020) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Aquatic Ecosystems , Endocrine Disruptors , Drinking Water , Water
Objective:
This project aims to develop improved, cost-effective treatment trains with advanced technologies for the removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) from water, wastewater and biosolids to ensure safe water for drinking and agricultural applications in rural areas.
Progress Summary:
This project includes a total of five tasks, with satisfactory progress made in each task. In Task 1, data were collected on PFAS concentrations in wastewater and sludge samples from two wastewater treatment plants with different conventional and advanced processes. The data along with a literature review that we have prepared on PFAS occurrences in different water systems provide insights on the presence, fate and likely sources of PFASs in various water bodies and in wastewater treatment plants using different treatment technologies. In Task 2, we have tested selected unit operations for treatment of PFASs in water. Substantial data have been collected for ion exchange resin (IXR) adsorption, nanofiltration (NF), foam fractionation (FF), advanced reduction process (ARP) and electrochemical oxidation (EO). We are in the process of developing and validating methods to extract and analyze PFASs in biosolids and sludges to prepare experiments for examining the fate of PFAS in anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) and for evaluating the effect of enzyme catalyzed oxidative humification reactions (ECOHR) on PFASs in biosolids. In addition, improvement on the EO anode materials and nanofiltration membranes have been achieved through our studies that led to enhanced PFAS treatment performance. Models have been developed in Task 3 for IXR and EO processes to predict PFAS removal performance and energy efficiency, and life cycle analyses are underway. The data and models obtained thus far along with more to follow for different unit operations will help identify optimal operation conditions for various application scenarios, and design treatment trains to be tested at pilot scale in Task 4. We have carried out various extension activities in Task 5 throughout the project to engage various stakeholders. Human subjects are not included in this project, and the goals of this project have not changed from the original application.
Future Activities:
The project will proceed as planned. Water and biosolids samples will be collected at more sites to analyze PFAS concentrations. We will also continue to test unit operations for treatment of PFASs in water and biosolids, and process models will be developed for nanofiltration, FF, ARP as well as the enzyme technology for biosolids. Life cycle analysis will be performed on all unit operations. Unit operations will be selected based on the model and LCA to design treatment trains to be tested in Task 4 pilot study. We will continue to engage stakeholders in our research to seek their inputs for our research and disseminate the results of our studies.
Journal Articles on this Report : 5 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 22 publications | 20 publications in selected types | All 20 journal articles |
|---|
| Type | Citation | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Gao H, Zhong S, Zhang W, Igou T, Berger E, Reid E, Zhao Y, Lanbeth D, Gan L, Afolabi M, Tong Z, Lan G, Chen Y. Revolutionizing Membrane Design Using Machine Learning-Bayesian Optimization. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022;56(4):2572-2581. |
R840080 (2021) R840080 (2024) |
Exit Exit |
|
|
Gao H, Zhong S, Dangayach R, Checn Y. Understanding and Designing a High-Performance Ultrafiltration Membrane Using Machine Learning. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023;Early Access |
R840080 (2021) R840080 (2024) |
Exit |
|
|
Reid E, Igou T, Zhao Y, Crittenden J, Huang C, Westerhoff P, Rittmann B, Drewes J, Chen Y. The Minus Approach Can Redefine the Standard of Practice of Drinking Water Treatment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023;9(57):7150-7161 |
R840080 (2021) R840080 (2024) |
Exit |
|
|
Shao Y, Tong X, Kim J, Tong T, Huang C, Chen Y. Capillary-Assisted Fabrication of Thin-Film Nanocomposite Membranes for Improved Solute-Solute Separation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022;56(9):5849-5859. |
R840080 (2021) R840080 (2024) |
Exit Exit |
|
|
Wang Y, Li L, Wang Y, Shi H, Wang L, Huang Q. Electrooxidation of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid on porous Magneli phase titanium suboxide Anodes:Impact of porous structure and composition. ECHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL 2022;144:49-56. |
R840080 (2021) R840080 (2024) |
Exit Exit |
Supplemental Keywords:
Persistent Organic Pollutants, Degradation, Process Optimization, Feasibility AssessmentRelevant Websites:
Progress 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.