Grantee Research Project Results
2023 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, 2022 through August 31,2023
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:
Additional data were collected on PFAS concentrations in wastewater and biosolids samples collected from four more treatment facilities in different states. The data provide more insights on the occurrence of PFASs in WWTPs using different treatment technologies and the factors controlling their fate, and thus help to understand PFAS occurrences in rural areas. We continued in testing the performance of a few unit operations for treatment of PFASs in water, including nanofiltration (NF), advance reduction process (ARP), electrochemical oxidation (EO), as well as laccase mediated PFAS transformation in biosolids. We have also been examining the fate of PFASs in anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR). All these operations are potentially useful for managing PFASs in rural areas. We have collected data to help understand PFAS degradation rates, pathways, and mechanisms in various unit operations as well as the factors that influence the treatment performances. We have conducted life cycle assessments (LCAs) for PFAS treatment, including unit operations and the combination of selected unit operations. The data and models obtained will help water treatment facilities to select PFASs treatment technologies based on the raw water quality and treatment goals. We are in the process of assembling a pilot-scale NF-EO treatment train system. We will use this system in Task 4 to test laboratory-spiked samples and environmental samples, to provide a modular system that have wide applications in rural areas for water treatment, reclamation, and reuse. We are continuing engagement with stakeholders at each level 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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Dangayach R, Jeong N, Demirel E, Uzal N, Fung V, Chen Y. Machine Learning-Aided Inverse Design and Discovery of Novel Polymeric Materials for Membrane Separation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; |
R840080 (2023) R840080 (2024) |
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Jeong N, Park S, Mahajan S, Zhou J, Blotevogel J, Li Y, Tong T, Chen Y. Elucidating governing factors of PFAS removal by polyamide membranes using machine learning and molecular simulations. NATURE COMMUNICATIONS 2024;15(1) |
R840080 (2023) R840080 (2024) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
Persistent Organic Pollutants, Environmental Occurrence, Process Optimization, Feasibility AssessmentRelevant Websites:
Manage PFAS in Rural Areas - UGA Exit
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.