Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Removal of VOCs From Water With an Air-Stripper/Membrane Vapor Separation System
EPA Contract Number: 68D03029Title: Removal of VOCs From Water With an Air-Stripper/Membrane Vapor Separation System
Investigators: Mairal, Anurag
Small Business: Membrane Technology and Research Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: April 1, 2003 through September 1, 2003
Project Amount: $70,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2003) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Watersheds , SBIR - Water and Wastewater , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
Treatment of water contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is a major problem for the U.S. chemical industry. At present, moderately contaminated wastewater streams are treated by steam stripping. Wastewaters containing low levels of VOCs are treated by air stripping combined with a carbon adsorption off-gas treatment system. The goal of this Phase I research project was to develop a process that combines air stripping with membrane separation to remove 95-99 percent of the VOCs in contaminated water and recover the VOCs as a liquid condensate.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
In this Phase I research project, Membrane Technology and Research, Inc., focused on optimization of membranes and evaluation of module performance. Tests showed that the chosen membranes had good nitrogen/VOC separation properties. Parametric and long-term tests of membrane modules demonstrated their plasticization resistance and stability in the operating environment. Economic analyses using the Phase I module data showed that membrane system costs will be significantly below the costs of competitive technologies, such as air stripping/vapor-phase carbon adsorption and steam stripping.
Conclusions:
The process is well-suited to treat 2,000-20,000 gallon/day wastewater streams containing more than 100 ppm VOCs.
Supplemental Keywords:
volatile organic compound, VOC, VOC removal, membrane separation, wastewater treatment, air stripper, membrane vapor separation system, small business, SBIR., Scientific Discipline, Water, TREATMENT/CONTROL, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Chemistry, Wastewater, Analytical Chemistry, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Environmental Engineering, Water Pollution Control, wastewater treatment, air stripper, membrane vapor separation, VOC emissions, membrane-based, membrane filtration, chemical manufacturing, wastewater discharges, air water exchangeThe 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.