Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Novel Membrane Fabrication for Improved Flux, Reduced Fouling and Efficient Treatment of PFOA
EPA Grant Number: SU840401Title: Novel Membrane Fabrication for Improved Flux, Reduced Fouling and Efficient Treatment of PFOA
Investigators: Elliott, Mark , Jafarian, Hesam , Pilevar, Mohsen , Overton, Kylie , Bryant, Carolina , Williams, Delanie
Institution: The University of Alabama
EPA Project Officer: Spatz, Kyle
Project Period: July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023
Project Amount: $24,953
RFA: 18th Annual P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2021) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Awards , Water
Objective:
The study concentrated on the synthesis, characterization, and performance evaluation of three types of polymeric membranes: conventional polyamide, spin-coated polyamide, and silver metal-organic framework (AgMOF_ spin-coated polyamide. The goals were multifaceted, encompassing not only the optimization of these membranes' physiochemical properties, but also their function efficacy in wastewater treatment. The study's specific goal was to increase water flux while maintaining high rejection rates of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and salts, which are essential parameters for wastewater purification. The project also sought to investigate the antifouling properties of the membranes, which are critical for long-term operational sustainability. By incorporating advanced fabrication techniques such as spin coating and the incorporation of AgMOFs, the membrane surface characteristics were modified to improve both antifouling capabilities and PFOA rejection rates. Furthermore, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was used to assess these membranes' environmental footprint, quantify parameters such as Cumulative Energy Demand (CED) and various environmental impact categories such as acidification, ecotoxicity, and global warming potential. The overarching goal was to find an optimized membrane technique and formulation that would not only outperform in performance metrics but would also have significantly lower environmental and energy costs, resulting in a robust and sustainable solution for large-scale wastewater treatment applications.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
The study successfully developed novel functionalized membranes, specifically Conventional Polyamide and Spin-Coated Polyamide, both of which performed well in terms of water flux and PFOA rejection. The Conventional Polyamide had a flux of 53.4 LMH and a PFOA rejection of 93.5%, whereas the Spin-Coated Polyamide had a significantly higher flux of 137.4 LMH and a comparable 92.16% PFOA rejection. In terms of environmental sustainability, the Spin-Coated Polyamide outperformed its conventional counterpart in terms of Cumulative Energy Demand and environmental impacts across multiple categories, including acidification, global warming potential, and fossil fuel depletion. The findings strongly support the feasibility of switching from conventional polyamide membranes to spin-coated polyamide membranes for large-scale water treatment applications. These findings represent an important step toward the ultimate goal of developing a low-cost, high-performance, and environmentally sustainable process for removing PFOA and salt from wastewater.
Conclusions:
The project met its Phase I objectives, achieving high water flux as well as significant PFOA rejection with the developed membranes. Spin-Coated Polyamide membranes outperformed conventional polyamide membranes in terms of operational efficacy and environmental sustainability, making a strong case for their use in large-scale water treatment applications. These accomplishments represent a significant step forward toward a low-cost, environmentally friendly solution for PFOA and salt removal from wastewater, which is in line with the project's ultimate goals.
The proposed Phase II objectives are to fabricate and thoroughly test reverse osmosis (RO) polyamide membranes using our novel spin-coating technique. We will strive to meet the new EPA PFOA advisory level of 0.004 ng/L while also evaluating the membrane's performance in seawater desalination. Approaches to achieve this treatment goal include optimization of membrane fabrication parameters, rigorous characterization using advanced analytical techniques, and performance evaluation under varying operational conditions. In addition, we will conduct pilot-scale tests with water treatment facilities to validate the technology's efficacy and scalability. Educational outreach and multi-stakeholder engagement will be essential components of our strategy, with the goal of increasing community awareness and facilitating the commercialization of the technology.
Supplemental Keywords:
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), RO Polyamide Membranes, PFOA Removal, Seawater Desalination, EPA Advisory Level, Sustainable Water TreatmentRelevant Websites:
University of Alabama - Elliott Water Research Group Exit
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.