Grantee Research Project Results
2016 Progress Report: Small, Safe, Sustainable (S3) Public Water Systems through Innovative Ion Exchange
EPA Grant Number: R835334Title: Small, Safe, Sustainable (S3) Public Water Systems through Innovative Ion Exchange
Investigators: Boyer, Treavor H. , Zhang, Qiong
Institution: University of Florida , University of South Florida
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: August 16, 2012 through August 15, 2016 (Extended to August 15, 2017)
Project Period Covered by this Report: August 16, 2015 through August 15,2016
Project Amount: $499,361
RFA: Research and Demonstration of Innovative Drinking Water Treatment Technologies in Small Systems (2011) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Drinking Water , Water
Objective:
The main objective of this project is to identify and test ion exchange processes that can treat groups of chemical contaminants and evaluate their sustainability. The specific objectives of this project are to (1) identify combined anion and cation exchange processes that can treat groups of chemical contaminants in an environmentally friendly way; (2) develop an ion exchange process model that includes multi-contaminant treatment and regeneration efficiency; (3) demonstrate the performance of the ion exchange treatment and regeneration processes through pilot-scale testing at a small public water system (PWS); and (4) evaluate the environmental, human health, and economic impacts of the ion exchange treatment and regeneration processes through life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC).
Progress Summary:
For this reporting period, activities for research objective 2 have focused on two efforts. At University of Florida the focus has been on development of an ion exchange process model based on completely mixed flow reactor (CMFR) configuration, and at University of South Florida the focus has been on development of an ion exchange process model based on fixed bed reactor (FBR) configuration. Activities for research objective 3 have focused on ion exchange pilot plant testing. The ion exchange pilot plant was installed at the Cedar Key Water Treatment Plant in Cedar Key, FL. The pilot plant consists of two columns and associated tubing, pumps, and tanks. The columns are designed to test combined anion exchange resin and cation exchange resin. The design flow rate is 0.5 gal/min. Sodium chloride and potassium chloride are being tested for regeneration. Activities of research objective 4 have focused on developing an integrated decision model for assessing improvements to ion exchange technology and evaluating life cycle environmental impacts and costs of various conventional ion exchange systems with the proposed combined cation/anion exchange. The life cycle assessments, cost assessments, and process models for both fixed bed and completely mixed bed reactors have been implemented in an integrated decision model that allows for evaluating the environmental impacts and costs of various design choices.
Future Activities:
The ion exchange process model developed as part of research objective 2 will continue to be expanded to include other reactor configurations for treatment and regeneration and multiple contaminant removal. The combined ion exchange pilot plant testing (objective 3) will evaluate multiple contaminant removal and regeneration efficiency under realistic operating conditions. The decision model linking the current process models of fixed bed and completely mixed bed systems with LCA/LCC to allow for identifying design changes that improve sustainability (research objective 4) will be finalized. The LCA/LCCA comparing combined cation/anion exchange with conventional ion exchange will be completed.
Journal Articles on this Report : 3 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 37 publications | 7 publications in selected types | All 7 journal articles |
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Foster JTT, Hu Y, Boyer TH. Affinity of potassium-form cation exchange resin for alkaline earth and transition metals. Separation and Purification Technology 2017;175:229-237. |
R835334 (2016) R835334 (Final) |
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Hu Y, Foster J, Boyer TH. Selectivity of bicarbonate-form anion exchange for drinking water contaminants: influence of resin properties. Separation and Purification Technology 2016;163:128-139. |
R835334 (2016) R835334 (Final) |
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Amini A, Kim Y, Zhang J, Boyer TH, Zhang Q. Environmental and economic sustainability of ion exchange drinking water treatment for organics removal. Journal of Cleaner Production 2015;104:413-421. |
R835334 (2015) R835334 (2016) R835334 (Final) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
nitrate, softening, regenerant brine, salinity, life cycle assessment, LCA, mining, freshwater toxicity, sodic soil, wastewater nitrification;Relevant Websites:
Faculty and Lecturers | School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment | Arizona State University Exit
Treavor H. Boyer | Google Scholar Citations Exit
Qiong Zhang | University of South Florida 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.