Enhancement of a composite media filter for hydrocarbon containment

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Hydrocarbon spillage and its wash off by rainwater at various industrial sites and remote mining facilities are a serious concern for the environment. SEI Industries Ltd. currently manufactures a proprietary RainDrainTM filtration device that is used to capture and contain hydrocarbons out of polluted water streams. While effective at removing certain hydrocarbons (e.g., jet fuels), the RainDrain product is not work for other hydrocarbons e.g., transformer oils. Also, it has limitation in handling large flow rates, that are typical for rustications with significant rainfalls. SEI anticipates significant future demand for this filter, particularly for heavier hydrocarbons (e.g., crude oil and bitumen) that are not removed optimally with its current product. Additionally, SEI would like to increase the performance of its current product so that the RainDrain could handle various flow rates. This project, initiated jointly by SEI and the UBC team, aims to address the aforementioned challenges and help the industry partner further develop the current product to enter the potential new markets. More specifically, this proposal will focus on the following specific objectives: -Investigate the mechanism of hydrocarbon uptake through detailed analysis and characterization of the filter media. -Research on the development of new filter media with greater capacity and ability to remove various hydrocarbon types. An immediate local benefit to Canada will be job security and possible job creation at SEI's manufacturing facility as well as the larger economic spinoff effects of creating world-leading modern filtration technology for hydrocarbon contaminated waters.