Mechanistic Laboratory and Field Evaluation of Sustainable Point-of-Use Water Treatment Technologies to Remove Turbidity and Deactivate Coliform Bacteria

该项目是第一个通过新环境可持续性计划收到的主动提案获得资助的项目，将调查使用点饮用水处理方案去除浊度和灭活病原体的机制。该研究小组将利用实验室研究来深入研究从发展中国家种植的粮食作物（如玉米和秋葵）以及其他植物（如Opuntia sp (Nopal)）中提取的天然凝固剂活性的基本机制。该小组还将调查胶体银处理陶瓷过滤器的过滤特性和失活机制，这种过滤器是通过非政府组织“波特促进和平”在发展中国家生产的。虽然流量特性是过滤器的设计参数，但过滤系统的抗菌性能尚未研究到必要的程度，以了解其机理。陶瓷过滤器与天然混凝剂的组合也将被考虑。作为可持续性的衡量标准，将对开发的使用点系统进行精简的生命周期成本分析（LCC）和生命周期评估（LCA），并将其与使用明矾或硫酸铁的常规处理方法进行比较。在实验室研究之后，将与华雷斯市自治大学合作，在墨西哥华雷斯市周围的殖民地进行实地工作。UACJ的研究人员和学生将为这项工作贡献他们丰富的专业知识。弗吉尼亚大学的研究人员过去在该地区进行的研究已经产生了更环保的砖窑，UACJ的研究人员对其排放进行了研究。“和平波特”组织在实地研究地点以南约100英里处建立了一家陶瓷过滤器制造厂，为实地研究提供过滤器。该团队还将与德克萨斯农工大学住房和城市发展中心合作。来自弗吉尼亚大学的本科生将在实验室和实地研究的各个方面工作。该项目可能会为殖民地以及两所大学的研究生和本科生提供广泛的社会和教育效益。凝血和病原体灭活的基本机制的发现将为水处理的工程科学提供信息。该奖项由化学、生物工程、环境和运输系统部（CBET）和国际科学与工程办公室（OISE）联合资助。

Smith, James PIUniversity of Virginia0651966Mechanistic Laboratory and Field Evaluation of Sustainable Point-of-Use Water Treatment Technologies to Remove Turbidity and Deactivate Coliform BacteriaThis project, which is the first to be funded through the unsolicited proposals received by the new Environmental Sustainability program, will investigate the mechanisms involved in removal of turbidity and inactivation of pathogens by point-of-use drinking water treatment schemes. The research team will use laboratory studies to delve into the fundamental mechanisms responsible for the activity of naturally occurring coagulants derived from food crops grown in developing countries, such as Zea mays and Okra as well as other plants such as Opuntia sp (Nopal). The team will also investigate the filtration properties and inactivation mechanisms of colloidal silver-treated ceramic filters, which are being made in developing countries through the work of a non-governmental organization, Potters for Peace. Although flow characteristics are a design parameter for the filter, the anti-microbial properties of the filtering systems have not been investigated to the degree necessary for a mechanistic understanding. The combination of the ceramic filters and the natural coagulants will also be considered. As a measure of the sustainability, a streamlined life cycle cost analysis (LCC) and a life cycle assessment (LCA) will be conducted for the point of use system developed and compared to conventional treatment methods using alum or ferric sulfate. The laboratory study will be followed by field work in the colonias in an around Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, in collaboration with the Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez (UACJ). Researchers and students from UACJ will contribute their substantial expertise to the effort. Past research in the region by University of Virginia researchers has resulted in more environmentally benign brick kilns, the emissions of which have been studied by researchers from UACJ. Potters for Peace has established a ceramic filter manufacturing plant about 100 miles south of the location of the field study, which will supply the filters for the field study. The team will also work with the Center for Housing and Urban Development of Texas A&M University. Undergraduate students from the University of Virginia will work on various aspects of both the laboratory and field studies. The project will likely provide extensive societal and educational benefits to the colonias, and the graduate and undergraduate students of both universities. The discoveries of fundamental mechanisms for coagulation and pathogen inactivation will inform the engineering science of water treatment. This award is being jointly funded by the Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems (CBET), and the Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE).