Activated carbon adsorption and membrane separations in water and wastewater treatment

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Research is proposed on two water and wastewater treatment processes: activated carbon (AC) adsorption, and membrane processes. Activated carbon is frequently used to remove taste and odour causing compounds and toxic organic compounds from drinking water. The main drawback of adsorbers is the high cost of granular activated carbon (GAC) and its regeneration. One of the main aims of this proposed research is to optimize AC electrochemical regeneration. Our research has shown that this novel technique is quite effective and, unlike current technology, it does not destroy part of the GAC. The proposed experiments will test a wider group of compounds to determine how the process works, test system modifications and evaluate its applicability to industrial wastewater treatment. We will also investigate methods to prevent dissolved iron from interfering with the efficiency of AC water treatment plants. It is hoped that this research will reduce the cost of activated carbon adsorption so that the removal of toxics becomes more affordable.       Membrane separation of contaminants is the water treatment technology that seems to have the brightest future. The main disadvantage is that the membranes foul, decreasing their performance, requiring cleaning and eventual replacement. Fouling can be reduced by using better materials. The applicant's team has developed new flat-sheet ultrafiltration membranes using a number of tailor-made polymeric additives; some of which make the membrane more hydrophobic, while others make them more hydrophilic. The aims of this research are: a) to assess the impact of the surface hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity on the chemical cleaning efficiency of the membranes; b) to use the same additives with other base polymers to make and evaluate new membranes; and c) to develop hollow fiber membranes (which are currently more popular than flat sheet membranes) with these additives and evaluate their effectiveness in drinking water applications. The overall objective is to create more fouling resistant and easier to clean membranes with a longer life and reduced treatment costs.