Grantee Research Project Results
Optimized biochar/hydrochar for disinfection byproduct removal in water
EPA Grant Number: SU840574Title: Optimized biochar/hydrochar for disinfection byproduct removal in water
Investigators: Marti, Erica , Moon, Jaeyun , Masrura, Sayeda , Ejjada, Meena , Pochampally, Suraj , Vacek, Savanna , Letourneau, Emma , Carroll, Madeline
Institution: University of Nevada - Las Vegas
EPA Project Officer: Spatz, Kyle
Phase: I
Project Period: September 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024
Project Amount: $24,994
RFA: 19th Annual P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet Request for Applications (RFA) (2022) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Awards , P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources
Objective:
The proposed project is the synthesis, characterization, and optimization of biochar and hydrochar adsorbents produced from agricultural waste biomass, which would ultimately be used as a drinking water filter media for disinfection byproduct removal in US households for standard use or during emergency situations or temporary water treatment, which disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. Especially in emergency situations and temporary water treatment systems, disinfection byproducts may exceed the regulated concentrations for drinking water. Removal of disinfection byproducts through a simple and low cost process, like adsorption, is important because disinfection byproducts are harmful to human health as they are linked to cancer.
Approach:
The research project has three main goals or tasks. The first task is to synthesize and characterize biochar and hydrochar adsorbents from agricultural waste biomass. In this task, both biochar (BC) and hydrochar (HC) will be generated using pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization, respectively at different temperatures. The adsorbents will be characterized by nitrogen adsorption/desorption (i.e., Brunauer–Emmett–Teller or BET) for investigating the pore size distribution and surface area, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for investigating the surface morphology, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for investigating the surface functional groups associated with hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity, and water droplet contact angle for assessing hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity. The second task is enhancement of the adsorption properties of BC and HC through modification with physical (i.e., steam) or chemical (i.e., acid, base, thiol) approaches. The BC and HC will be characterized and compared to the unmodified forms. The most promising BC and HC will be brought forward to task three, which is an assessment of BC and HC adsorption capacity for removal of regulated and unregulated disinfection byproducts in drinking water.
Adsorption batch tests will involve varying the initial concentration of disinfection byproducts, varying the amount of adsorbent, and varying the contact time for adsorption to occur. Using standard isotherm and kinetic experiments, the capacity for disinfection byproduct adsorption will be determined. Development of a filter device using the best BC/HC or combination of BC and HC, as well as an economic analysis of the product, would be part of Phase II funding—if awarded.
Expected Results:
Multiple BC and HC will be synthesized at different temperatures and using several modification techniques, in order to obtain the best performing adsorbent for disinfection byproduct removal. BC and HC will be characterized by BET, SEM, FTIR and water droplet contact angle. The adsorption capacity for disinfection byproduct removal will be assessed for selected BC and HC using both a simple water matrix (buffered, deionized water) and drinking water with competing ions that may enhance or reduce adsorption capacity.
Supplemental Keywords:
water purification, drinking water, agricultural waste minimization, biochar, hydrochar, adsorption, disinfection byproducts, trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, haloacetonitriles, nitrosamines, environmental engineering, materials synthesisThe 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.