STTR Phase II: Ultraviolet Activated Chelation (UVAC) for the Recovery of Hg from Industrial Wastewater

这项小型企业技术转让（STTR）的第二阶段旨在进一步开发和优化一种称为紫外线活化螯合（UVAC）的高级氧化技术，该技术利用低能紫外线（UV）光从工业废水中去除汞（Hg）。一期工程通过这一过程实现了汞浓度低至11ppt（低于雨水中常见的汞含量）。该技术已经在实验和中试规模中得到了验证，但要持续地将汞浓度控制在12ppt以下，并获得最经济的商业设计，还需要进一步的工作。第二阶段的目标将包括优化设计参数，如过滤、pH值、停留时间和紫外线特性。还将研究各种水化学特性对汞去除的影响。预计第二阶段的努力将产生一个采用UVAC技术的强大而经济的商业系统，以符合当前和即将出台的环境法规。该技术的更广泛影响/商业潜力将是将汞从水中去除到痕量水平的过程，该技术有助于保护人类健康、野生动物和环境。通过食用受污染的鱼而接触汞，会影响认知思维、记忆、注意力、语言、精细运动和视觉空间技能。此外，一些研究人员提出了汞与自闭症之间的联系。目前还缺乏一种商业上可行的将汞从水中去除至12ppt以下的解决方案。氯碱工业的UVAC技术的发展可能导致该技术在其他行业的商业化，例如燃煤发电厂和牙科诊所等。进一步了解UVAC过程将提高科学界对环境中汞的认识，特别是与紫外线的关系。

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II aims to further develop and optimize an advanced oxidation technology called Ultraviolet Activated Chelation (UVAC), which utilizes low-energy ultraviolet (UV) light for the removal of mercury (Hg) from industrial wastewaters. The Phase I project achieved Hg concentrations as low as 11 ppt (which is lower than the Hg levels commonly found in rainwater) via this process. The technology has been proven in the bench- and pilot-scales, but further work is required to consistently achieve Hg concentrations below 12 ppt and to obtain the most economical commercial design. The Phase II objectives will include the optimization of design parameters such as filtration, pH, residence time, and UV light characteristics. The effect of various water chemical characteristics on Hg removal will also be studied. It is anticipated that Phase II efforts will result in a robust and economical commercial system employing the UVAC technology for industries to comply with current and pending environmental regulations. The broader impact/commercial potential from this technology will be a process for Hg removal from water to trace levels, this technology is contributing to the protection of human health, wildlife, and the environment. Exposure to Hg, which can occur by consumption of contaminated fish, can affect cognitive thinking, memory, attention, language, and fine motor and visual spatial skills. Additionally some researchers have proposed a link between Hg and autism. A commercially viable solution for Hg removal from water to levels below 12 ppt is lacking. Development of the UVAC technology for the chlor-alkali industry may lead to the commercialization of the technology for other industries, such as coal-fired power plants and dental offices, among others. Further understanding of the UVAC process will enhance the scientific community's knowledge about Hg in the environment, particularly in relation to UV light.