Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Containment of Highly Concentrated Arsenic-laden Spent Regenerant on the Indian Subcontinent
EPA Grant Number: SU833178Title: Containment of Highly Concentrated Arsenic-laden Spent Regenerant on the Indian Subcontinent
Investigators: Sengupta, Arup K. , Blaney, Lee M. , Gupta, Anirban , Ghosh, Debabrata , Greenleaf, John , Alam, Morshed , Chatterjee, Prasun , Sarkar, Sudipta
Institution: Lehigh University , Bengal Engineering & Science University
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: I
Project Period: September 30, 2007 through May 31, 2009
Project Amount: $10,000
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2006) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Nanotechnology , P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources , Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
Due to the extensive amount and appalling degree of arsenic poisoning on the Indian subcontinent, there is a need to prevent future crises from occurring. With the advent of numerous arsenic-selective sorbent media and other arsenic-removal technologies, the major environmental challenge lies not in removing dissolved arsenic from contaminated groundwater but in attaining safe, long-term disposal of arsenic-laden water treatment residuals. Safe disposal and containment of wastes would reduce the amount of toxic waste generated, prevent leaching of arsenic into soil and groundwater supplies, and allow for a more secure public.
Several research tasks were performed towards quantification of current arsenic containment measures and verification of the capabilities of the proposed processes towards arsenic containment and leachability.
- Analyze the efficiency of arsenic containment available from neutralized spent regenerant solution deposition onto coarse sand filters; determine the amount of arsenic leaching currently occurring and the arsenic-laden waste storage capacity in central regeneration facility coarse sand filters
- Perform laboratory scale experiments to determine arsenic/iron co-precipitation efficiency vs. pH at various Fe(III)/As(V) ratios
- Carry out Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure testing on resultant water treatment residuals to ensure negligible arsenic leachability
- Design an operationally simple, manual feed precipitation reactor capable of separating arsenic-loaded solids and relatively arsenic-safe supernatant solutions
- Install the precipitation reactor at Bengal Engineering and Science University’s central regeneration facility at Maslandpur in N. 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India and train technicians to employ the co-precipitation process developed during this project
- Assess pre- and post-landfill arsenic concentrations at the IESI Bethlehem Landfill in Bethlehem, PA and at Ryeland Road Arsenic Superfund Site in Heidelberg Township, PA.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
Results for the above research/implementation tasks demonstrated resounding success. Consequently, the project’s overall goal of determining an effective means of containing arsenic-laden waste products onto easily-constructed coarse sand filters was achieved through the various tasks: Task 1 demonstrated that low-volume waste products can be generated through efficient co-precipitation reaction with iron, Task 2 showed that iron/arsenic molar ratio and pH of neutralized spent regenerant solution can be manipulated for maximal arsenic removal from supernatant solution, Task 3 clearly outlined the effectiveness of water treatment residuals to retain arsenic in the presence of both USEPA-defined extraction solution and a stronger synthetic leaching solution, Task 4 provided details surrounding reactor design and co-precipitation process protocol, Task 5 explained how the techniques were implemented, and Task 6 yielded important insight into inefficiencies with arsenic removal in the developed world.
While Tasks 1 and 2 provided essential details regarding the efficiency and capability of the co-precipitation process, Task 3 formed the crux of the project. If arsenic leaching readily occurred from water treatment residuals, the project’s goals would not be accomplished due to future threats caused by arsenic reentry into groundwater aquifers. Given the quality results regarding co-precipitation effectiveness, manipulatable co-precipitation efficiency, and minimal arsenic leachability from water treatment residuals, the project is deemed an overall success.
The collaborative effort between Lehigh University and Bengal Engineering and Science University was also extremely successful. Throughout Phase I, the two universities effectively handled various tasks related to the EPA P3 project while continuing overall arsenic-removal operations in over 160 villages. Lehigh University team members conducted most of the analytical and lab work while Bengal Engineering and Science University members worked on-site in villages and at the central regeneration facility. In November 2006, US team members Lee Blaney and Sudipta Sarkar traveled to India and successfully worked with Indian team members to accomplish the goals set forth in Task 5.
Installation of arsenic-removal units and implementation of co-precipitation disposal processes described throughout this report are applicable in other countries (Bangladesh, Mexico, Vietnam, China, Cambodia, among others) affected by high arsenic concentrations in drinking water sources due to simple installation and operation protocol.
Conclusions:
Quantitative analysis of Phase I results for all 160 units demonstrates that each operational cycle produces approximately 150-450 million liters of arsenic-safe drinking water for 150,000-250,000 people. The amount of arsenic removed ranges from 15-25 kg As. Of that arsenic, only 300-600 grams remain in aqueous form; this report demonstrates that a significant fraction of that aqueous arsenic is adsorbed to ferric oxide particulates present within the coarse sand filters.
Although no algorithms exist to translate the amount of arsenic removed into reduction of cancer cases or increased health or productivity; the results are quite astounding. Most importantly, the project satisfies the cradle-to-cradle green engineering requirements espoused by McDonough through commitment to positive long-term goals (i.e., effective arsenic disposal) while providing arsenic-safe water through socially acceptable and ecologically intelligent means. The P3 project team also believes that Phase I results agree with Anastas and Zimmerman’s 12 principles of green engineering, providing an exceptional model of sustainable engineering practice – the hallmark of the EPA P3 Award.
Clearly the project has successfully quantified the abilities of the co-precipitation process to reduce waste volume and minimize arsenic leachability potential while abiding by the principles of cradle-to-cradle design and green engineering. However, for true success the project must continue to expand and benefit those suffering from arsenicosis in developing countries.
Proposed Phase II Objectives and Strategies:
The Phase II proposal seeks to continue installation of well-head arsenic-removal units, expand regeneration operations, improve disposal effectiveness, and develop closer relations with government agencies. The specific tasks involved with Phase II are summarized below:
- Install approximately 25 additional well-head units rural villages of West Bengal, India
- Implement a second regeneration facility towards optimization of regeneration efficiency given the presence of additional well-head units
- Install perforated PVC pipes within coarse sand filter units (backwash, central regeneration facility, and second regeneration facility) in order to facilitate air
- transport/presence towards maintenance of oxic conditions and prevention of arsenic leaching
- Develop better relations with government agencies towards initiation of large-scale sustainable disposal options for hazardous arsenic-laden waste products as current coarse sand filters cannot contain water treatment residuals indefinitely
- Begin to expand project implementation in other countries, specifically Mexico, Bangladesh, and China.
Phase II goals comply with the tasks outlined above. Strategies for meeting these objectives and building on the success of Phase I research/experimentation are mentioned below. Partnerships with industry (SolmeteX®, Inc.) and a non-governmental organization (Water For People) will provide the necessary materials, aid, and funding for completing Task 1; Task 2 builds on the success already achieved at the central regeneration facility in Phase I; Indian P3 team members, Debabrata Ghosh and Morshed Alam, have already begun experimental work towards defining the effectiveness of Task 3; and Tasks 4-5 require positive diplomatic relations, which are deemed highly probable due to the prestige associated with the EPA P3 Phase II Award.
Indian P3 team members will be involved with establishment of the second regeneration facility, addition of perforated PVC piping in coarse sand filters, and conversation with West Bengal/India government; US members will be continuing research regarding hybrid anion exchange resin (HAIX), aiding in planning of the second regeneration facility, providing technical support for the proposed arsenic removal units, and initiating dialogue with Mexican villages towards installation of arsenic-removal units. The anticipated role of Water For People (WFP) is to provide funding towards capital costs related to installation of additional arsenic-removal units as defined in Task 1; furthermore, WFP will provide aid in identifying at-risk villages and communicating basic health safety to villagers. Solmetex®, Inc. has agreed to supply HAIX media at reduced costs, allowing more applicable utilization of HAIX arsenic-selective media in village units.
The Phase II proposal incorporates many elements of sustainability and strives to extend the arsenic-removal project geographically and intrinsically, through increased importance associated with arsenic-laden waste product disposal. The sheer size of the project (direct impact on over 25,000 people) combined with detailed scientific soundness warrants execution of Phase II project tasks through EPA P3 Award funding.
Journal Articles on this Report : 2 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other project views: | All 3 publications | 2 publications in selected types | All 2 journal articles |
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Type | Citation | ||
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Blaney LM, Sengupta AK. Comment on "landfill-stimulated iron reduction and arsenic release at the Coakley superfund site (NH)". Environmental Science & Technology 2006;40(12):4037-4038. |
SU833178 (Final) |
not available |
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Blaney L, Sarkar S, SenGupta AK. Comment on "Arsenic removal from groundwater by household sand filters:comparative field study, model calculations, and health benefits." Environmental Science & Technology 2007;41(3):1051-1052. |
SU833178 (Final) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
adsorbent regeneration, arsenic, arsenic containment, arsenic removal, arsenic sequestration, Bangladesh, control technologies, detoxification, groundwater, groundwater protection, hazardous waste, heavy metals, geographic area, India, international, leachate, Mexico, microfinance, particulates, pollution prevention, pollutants/toxics, regeneration facility, RFA, sorbent, spent regenerant, sustainable development, sustainable environment, sustainable industry/business, sustainability, technology for sustainable environment, toxics, waste minimization, waste reduction, water, water pollutants,, RFA, Geographic Area, Water, POLLUTANTS/TOXICS, Sustainable Industry/Business, Sustainable Environment, Arsenic, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Water Pollutants, International, sustainable development, arsenic removal, hazardous waste, India, arsenic sequestration, control technologies, sorbent, pollution prevention, groundwaterRelevant Websites:
http://www.nae.edu/nae/grainger.nsf/weblinks/MKEZ-6XYRBE?OpenDocument Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractP3 Phase II:
Containment of Highly Concentrated Arsenic-laden Spent Regenerant on the Indian Subcontinent | 2008 Progress Report | Final ReportThe 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.