A Zeta Potential Analyzer for the Understanding of Interfacial Phenomena and Particle Size Distribution for Environmental Engineering Applications

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Environmental issues associated with energy development, management and supply must be addressed for all energy systems. Moreover, the lack of scientific basis for many current remediation and reclamation criteria needs to be addressed. In addition, there is an urgent need to develop integrated land and water reclamation strategies to reduce the impacts of urban and industrial development on the environment. The requested zeta potential analyzer equipped with particle sizing is indented to support all research projects focusing on the treatment and reclamation of land and water by helping evaluate the fate and transport of colloidal matters in the environmental engineering field. The zeta potential analyzer is an essential analytical tool used to estimate the electrical surface charge of various colloidal matters such as nanoparticles, inorganic colloids, proteins, virus, and bacteria, while the particle sizing is required to estimate the solid-liquid separation efficiency by determining the particle size distribution. The instrument will be an extremely useful tool for our groups as well as to researchers in many engineering and science disciplines at the University of Alberta. Few examples of current research projects that necessitate the requested analyzer include: (1) development of novel adsorption materials for land and water reclamation; (2) treatment of process water using active and engineered passive approaches; (3) treatment of combined sewer overflows using different coagulants and coagulant aids; and (4) understanding of the biofilm interactions with constituents in water phases and adhesion of pathogens on biofiltration systems. These research projects are of strategic importance to Canada because they provide treatment and reclamation strategies to reduce the impacts of industrial activities on the environment. Moreover, the requested equipment is an important research tool that will provide detailed insight into the dispersion mechanism and will help to control electrostatic dispersion processes. By using the zeta potential analyzer equipped with particle sizing in the described research projects will eventually lead to the development of cost-effective treatment and reclamation approaches, and will help ensure the continued leadership of the University of Alberta in environmental engineering and science research.