Grantee Research Project Results
2022 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, 2021 through August 31,2022
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:
Data were collected on PFAS concentrations in wastewater and biosolids samples collected from treatment facilities in different states. The data along with a literature review developed by the project team provide insights on the occurrence of PFASs in various water bodies and WWTPs using different treatment technologies and the factors controlling their fate. This enhances understanding of PFAS occurrence in rural areas. We have tested performance of a few unit operations for treatment of PFASs in water, including IXR, nanofiltration, FF, ARP, EO, as well as laccase mediated PFAS transformation in biosolids. All these operations are potentially useful for managing PFASs in rural areas. Substantial data have been collected regarding PFAS degradation rates, pathways, and mechanisms in various unit operations as well as the factors that influence the treatment performances. Models have been developed to describe PFAS breakthrough on IXR columns and PFAS degradation rates in EO and ARP systems. Improvement on the EO anode materials and nanofiltration membranes have been achieved through our studies that led to enhanced PFAS treatment performance. LCA were performed on IXR and EO processes, individually or coupled in different scenarios, providing a basis for selecting and designing IXR-EO treatment trains based on water quality and treatment goals. 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 achieve effective PFAS removal and destruction in rural water resources. Thorough engagement with stakeholders at each level has been maintained throughout the research
Future Activities:
PFAS concentrations in more water and biosolids samples will be analyzed. The project team will continue test unit operations for treatment of PFAS in water and biosolids, and more process models will be developed. LCA 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 pilot study. We will continue to engage stakeholders in our research to seek their inputs and disseminate the results of our studies.
Journal Articles on this Report : 2 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 22 publications | 20 publications in selected types | All 20 journal articles |
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Helm W, Zhong S, Reid E, Igou T, Chen Y. Development of gradient boosting-assisted machine learning data-driven model for free chlorine residual prediction. FRONTIERS OF ENVIORNMENTAL SCIENCE & ENGINEERING 2024;18(2):17. |
R840080 (2022) R840080 (2024) |
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Huang Y, Afolabi M, Gan L, Liu S, Chen Y. MXene-Coated Ion-Selective Electrode Sensors for Highly Stable and Selective Lithium Dynamics Monitoring. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023;58(2):1359-1368. |
R840080 (2022) R840080 (2024) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
Persistent Organic Pollutants, Environmental Occurrence, 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.