Engineering Commons^™

The Effects Of Phoslock And Water Treatment Residual On Phosphate Concentration Levels And Phosphate Adsorption, Anna Soehnlen

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Eutrophic, nutrient enriched water can induce adverse effects like harmful algal blooms (HABs) in aquatic ecosystems. Numerous studies have been conducted to control nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen in order to mitigate the growth rate of HABs. During the spring semester of 2023, a research project investigated if the bentonite clay product, Phoslock, was able to remove phosphorus when it was added to distilled water and surface water under laboratory conditions. The researchers noted potential deficiencies in Phoslock’s ability to decrease the concentration of phosphorus while maintaining the initial value of adsorbed phosphorus. Expanding from this past research, two additional …

Advances In Cellulose Nanomaterial-Based Foams For Environmental Applications, Md Musfiqur Rahman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The use of metal-oxide nanoparticles adsorbents is limited to fixed-bed columns in industrial-scale water treatment applications. This limitation is commonly attributed to the tendency of nanoparticles to aggregate, the use of non-sustainable and inefficient polymeric resins as supporting materials, or a lack of adsorption capacity. Foams and aerogels derived from cellulose nanomaterials have unique characteristics, such as high porosity and low density, which enables their use in a variety of environmental applications, including water treatment. However, the overall use of cellulose nanomaterial-based foams in various environmental sectors is limited due to the high cost of production associated with time- and …

Commercial Adsorbents For Co2 Removal For Biogas Upgradation: An Experimental Study, Aakriti Bagla

McKelvey School of Engineering Theses & Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Viscosity Of Adsorbent Slurries For Washcoating Applications, Nitish Chauhan

Theses and Dissertations

The viscosity of adsorbent slurries is pivotal in understanding their rheological behavior, yet, the research on adsorbent slurry viscosity has been limited. This study addresses this gap by analyzing porous and non-porous solutes' behavior in solvents and then applying it to the washcoating adsorbents on ceramic substrates. By examining MIL-101 (Cr), glass beads, silica nanoparticles, and Titania, the study aims to comprehend the viscosity variations of each solute in the solvents, water and ethanol. A key observation from this study was the significant role of wetting in determining viscosity, as initial results found that MIL-101 (Cr) exhibited the highest viscosity …

Revisiting The Volumetric Swing Frequency Response Method For The Determination Of Limiting Mass Transfer Mechanisms Of N2 And O2 In Carbon Molecular Sieve 3k172, Adam Marshall Burke

Theses and Dissertations

Adsorption-based separations processes, along with the adsorbents that enable them, have benefited from a greater particular focus in recent years, following a desire to improve process energy efficiencies and cost economics. One such adsorbent, carbon molecular sieves (CMS), have likewise been a greater focus. CMS materials offer several key practical uses, such as the separation of nitrogen and oxygen, and the removal of carbon dioxide from methane process streams. In order to effectively design and implement an industrial scale process using a CMS material, the behavior of these gases on the chosen material must be known, including the limiting mass …

Comparing Phosphorus Removal Efficiencies And Mechanisms Via Two Cost-Effective Specialty Adsorbents In A Cascade Upflow Filtration System, Sydney Kilgus-Vesely

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Finding solutions to treat water that contains phosphorus is an important effort due to the harmful impacts it presents to both human health and the environment. Phosphorus is considered a limiting factor in water oftentimes and therefore controls the growth of algal bloom in a water body. The increase of algal populations due to wastewater effluent, stormwater runoff, and agricultural discharge in Florida waters has a direct link to the event of harmful algal blooms such as red tide in coastal regions, eutrophication of waterbodies, and fish kills. Finding low cost, energy efficient, and low maintenance green sorption media (GSM) …

Application Of The Flowing Material Balance To Unconventional Gas Reservoirs, Amanda Jo Parrish

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

In the realm of conventional reservoirs, the estimation of Original Gas-in-Place (OGIP) has long been established using traditional material balance method. However, the emergence of unconventional shale reservoirs accessed through horizontal well and hydraulic fracturing presents new challenges for estimation OGIP by the traditional material balance. The flowing material balance (FMB) has the potential to provide an estimate of the OGIP in the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV).

Adsorption of hydrocarbons to the organic matter within the shale rock matrix represents a significant component of the overall OGIP. The inclusion of the Langmuir volume and pressure in the material balance equation …

Nutrient Removal From Recirculating Aquaculture System Water, Eliza M. Costigan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), where only approximately 10% of the total system water is exchanged per day, have grown in popularity in recent years due to their potential to provide a high-quality protein source in a contained environment. With increased production comes the need for RAS water treatment to mitigate recirculation and discharge of nutrients produced by fish; mainly phosphorus and nitrogen. When discharged, nutrients can contribute to eutrophication in surrounding water bodies, harming the fish and other aquatic life. Therefore, RAS effluent should be treated before discharge. One method of phosphorus removal is adsorption, a surface phenomenon that is …

Modeling And Performance Analysis Of Deb Based Hydrogen Getters, John A. Matteson

Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

Hydrogen getter materials are used to irreversibly absorb hydrogen gas in sealed environments. The DEB based getter system, despite finding widespread use in this application, still posses challenges with respect to experimental performance analysis and fundamental understanding of reaction mechanism. The second chapter of this report addresses the experimental challenges of this getter system by demonstrating the utility and experimental strengths of a custom magnetic suspension balance (MSB) based gravimetric sorption system. This apparatus enables performance evaluation in process relevant conditions including dilute mixed gas environments which our results indicate is necessary for accurate performance evaluation of getter systems. Chapter …

Interfacial Interactions Of Uranium And Hdpe In Agricultural Soil And Their Bioacummulation In Mentha Arvensis, Casey Miller, Andrew Neidhart, Kendra Hess, Abdul-Mehdi S. Ali, Angelica Benavidez, Michael Spilde, Laura Green, José M. Cerrato, Jorge Gonzalez Estrella, Eliane El Hayek

Civil Engineering ETDs

We investigated the adsorption, precipitation, and phytoavailability of uranium after reactions with soil, high-density polyethylene particles, and Mentha arvensis through the integration of batch experiments, plant exposure, microscopy, and spectroscopy. Soluble U (initially 100 µM) decreased by 98.6% (1.09 µM) at pH 5 and 86.2% (13.81 µM) at pH 7.5 after 0.1 h of reaction with 10 g of soil in solution. Heterogenous U precipitates were observed in weathered HDPE surfaces for experiments without soil at both pH conditions. This suggests the weathering of the microplastic surfaces enhanced the nucleation of the U precipitates. Plants exposed to both U and …

Effects Of Experimental Scale On The Adsorption Of Two Pharmaceutical Drugs Detected In Municipal Wastewater Effluent, Michael Moore

Master's Theses

Pharmaceutical drugs are being produced and consumed in increasing quantities every year and are poorly treated by conventional wastewater treatment processes, leading to increasing detection of such compounds in surface water, groundwater, and municipal drinking water. Soil aquifer treatment (SAT) is a promising method for treating these emerging compounds through combined adsorption and degradation of target compounds in soil. This thesis examines the consistency of results from typical studies like adsorption isotherms and soil columns utilized in analysis of SAT performance, across varying experimental scales. The adsorption behavior of two pharmaceuticals was investigated as a function of experimental scale and …

Co-Occurrence Of Microplastics, Uranium And Arsenic In Heavy Metal-Contaminated Freshwaters And Their Potential Interaction, Jasmine Anne Quiambao

Civil Engineering ETDs

This study identified microplastics and heavy metals in fields sites of freshwater systems in New Mexico and evaluated the interactions of arsenic (As) and uranium (U) with commercial microplastics for acidic and neutral pH in laboratory-controlled conditions. The potential interaction of microplastics with other contaminants is not well-established. Microplastics could interact with heavy metals in ecosystems with naturally elevated background concentrations of metals or affected by anthropogenic activities. Previous studies have found heavy metal contamination in freshwater systems in New Mexico near abandoned mine sites. The objective of this study is (1) to identify and characterize microplastics from metal contaminated …

Potential Water Treatment Residual Used For Eutrophication Prevention: Varying Bake Time And Wet-Dry Release Experiments, Noor Fahoum

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

A challenge faced today in water ways is the excessive growth of algae due to eutrophication. These harmful algal blooms create problems for the environment and safety concerns for the use of water for drinking purposes. An increase in limiting nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus are one of the factors that contribute to eutrophication. This is a concern for the Akron Water Treatment plant where preventative measures are being taken to avoid the potential formation of harmful algal blooms and the cyanotoxins they may release in the water. Through various studies, water treatment residuals (WTR) have been found to …

Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Mitigation From Contaminated Groundwater Using Halophyte And Cow Bone Biochars, Bailey Papes

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) groundwater contamination is a growing concern for the Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility. Two of the four wells onsite are contaminated with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS). The removal of PFAS by adsorption onto powder activated carbon (PAC) is promising, but the production of PAC is energy intensive and expensive. A potential cost-effective alternative to PAC is biochar. This study quantified the capacities of two halophyte biochars, cow bone biochar and PAC to adsorb PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxS from brackish groundwater. The three biochars were ineffective at …

Uio-Type Metal-Organic Framework Derivatives As Sorbents For The Detection Of Gas-Phase Explosives, Matthew Ryan Sherrill

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The detection of energetic compounds – better known to the public as explosives – has is an important cornerstone of counterterrorism and homeland security . While significant advances have been achieved for the detection of trace explosives in various matrices such as soil, wastewater, and clothing, the detection of explosives in the gas phase remains challenging due to their infamously low vapor pressures. In this thesis, we leverage the high sensitivity of direct analysis in real-time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) and the microporosity of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to adsorb and therefore concentrate explosives from the vapor phase and subsequently detect them …

Adsorption Of Organic Iodides On Reduced Silver Functionalized Silica Aerogel, Siqi Tang

Dissertations - ALL

In the nuclear waste reprocessing, radioactive iodine is released in both organic and inorganic forms into off-gas streams. Due to its properties of long half-life and accumulation in human bodies, the radioactive iodine is required to be removed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). In this presented work, the removal of organic iodides is studied particularly. Unlike that of inorganic iodine, the organic iodides were not well studied because of the low concentrations and the corresponding technical difficulties. Most of the studies on the organic iodides are semi-quantified, focusing on the performances of the adsorption …

Immobilization Of Lipase On Metal Organic Frameworks For Biodiesel Production, Reem L Safwan Shoma

Theses

For the economical application of enzymatic processes in biodiesel production, lipase enzyme has to be used in immobilized form to allow easy retention and reuse. The main challenges facing the industrialization of the enzymatic process are the high mass transfer resistance, the tendency to adsorb the by-product glycerol onto the support matrix and poor operational stability. These problems can be solved by a good selection of supports of favourable surface characteristics and pore sizes. In that regard, increasing interest has recently been in Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) as a new kind of porous support for enzyme immobilization. Physical adsorption, which is …

Advances In Modeling Gas Adsorption In Porous Materials For The Characterization Applications, Max A. Maximov

Dissertations

The dissertation studies methods for mesoporous materials characterization using adsorption at various levels of scale and complexity. It starts with the topic introduction, necessary notations and definitions, recognized standards, and a literature review.

Synthesis of novel materials requires tailoring of the characterization methods and their thorough testing. The second chapter presents a nitrogen adsorption characterization study for silica colloidal crystals (synthetic opals). These materials have cage-like pores in the range of tens of nanometers. The adsorption model can be described within a macroscopic approach, based on the Derjaguin-Broekhoff-de Boer (DBdB) theory of capillary condensation. A kernel of theoretical isotherms is …

Theoretical And Computational Modeling Of Contaminant Removal In Porous Water Filters, Aman Raizada

Theses and Dissertations

Contaminant transport in porous media is a well-researched problem across many scientific and engineering disciplines, including soil sciences, groundwater hydrology, chemical engineering, and environmental engineering. In this thesis, we attempt to tackle this multiscale transport problem using the upscaling approach, which leads to the development of macroscale models while considering a porous medium as an averaged continuum system.

First, we describe a volume averaging-based method for estimating flow permeability in porous media. This numerical method overcomes several challenges faced during the application of traditional permeability estimation techniques, and is able to accurately provide the complete permeability tensor of a porous …

Develop A Multi-Functional Green Pervious Concrete (Mgpc) Pavement With Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (Pahs) Removal Function., Hong Shang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Stormwater runoff induced Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) contaminant increasingly imperils the groundwater quality and the sustainable development of human society due to the potential carcinogenic risks. Pavement can be considered as the first line of defense for contaminant removal of the stormwater runoff. New construction materials with stormwater runoff quantity and quality control are in urgent demand for updating the existing pavement system. An innovative material called Multi-functional Green Pervious Concrete (MGPC) was developed in the department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at University of Louisville. This material uses organoclay as the amendment to enhance the PAHs removal capacity of …

Silica-Based Materials For Water Treatment Applications: Adsorption And Supported Noble Metal-Based Catalysis, Xiaopeng Min

Theses and Dissertations

Various contaminants have been widely detected in aquatic systems due to both natural and anthropogenic activities, such as conventional and emerging organic pollutants (e.g., nitroarenes, per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)), and toxic oxyanions (e.g., chlorate, selenate). The presence of these contaminants may pose negative effects on both human health and water systems. Therefore, it is of great desire to develop novel materials and technologies to treat these waterborne pollutants.Catalytic treatment using noble metal (e.g., Pd)-based catalysts has emerged as a promising method for reduction of waterborne contaminants. Silica-based supports may enhance the reactivity and sustainability of Pd-based catalysts by improving …

Removal Of Heavy Metals Using Novel Adsorbent Materials, Lesley Joseph

Theses and Dissertations

Heavy metal contamination is a growing concern throughout the world, particularly as industrial and urban activities have increased. Inadequate water and wastewater treatment, coupled with increased industrial activity, have led to increased heavy metal contamination in rivers, lakes, and other water sources in developing countries. To address these concerns, a significant amount of research has been conducted on various novel adsorbents to evaluate their ability to remove heavy metals. Thus, in this study, MIL-100(Fe) and MIL-101(Cr) are fabricated and investigated to determine their ability to remove copper (Cu2+), cadmium (Cd2+), and lead (Pb2+) from aqueous solution. The experimental data fit …

Adsorption And Transport Of Colloids At Interface And In Bulk, Jingyun Lee

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Colloids are suspensions of microscopic insoluble particles dispersed in a continuum phase such as liquid or gas. Colloids are found in our everyday life from food and cosmetic industries to pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. Depending on a global minimum of the free-energy landscape, colloidal suspensions can be classified as two major classes: equilibrium or active colloidal system. This Ph.D dissertation presents strategies to engineer equilibrium self-assembled structures and out-of-equilibrium active matter using various interparticle forces.

First, we introduce the means to promote the equilibrium self-assembled structures driven by adsorption of colloids at interface. Typically, adsorption of colloids at interface is …

Understanding The Leaching Mechanism For Lead (Pb) Found In Components Of Locally Manufactured Handpumps In Eastern Madagascar, Nidhi Shah

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research sought to determine the lead leaching mechanism impacted by an inorganic scale observed from lead valve weights of the pitcher pump systems used in Tamatave, Madagascar. Based on previous research, these valve weights are considered to be a major source for high lead levels in pump water consumed by the residents. As a part of the study, Raman Spectroscopy, X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy with Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM-EDS) were performed to address the objectives of this research. The pump component samples for the analysis were selected based on the amount and visual characteristics of …

Modeling Study Of Electrocoagulation System For Treating Wastewater, Swachwa Dey

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Effective treatment of wastewater from households, communities, and industries is vital to preserve our environment. Chemical treatment to add coagulants into the wastewater is the most popular treatment method, but due to the high operating cost and secondary contamination issue, a novel method to solve those issues is required. In this study, we revisited the electro-coagulation (EC) system which has promising features of low system/operating cost and environment friendly process. EC was actively developed once, but due to the low efficiency and scaling-up issues, it could not be fully utilized. In this study, physics-based mathematical model was developed to elucidate …

3d-Printed Adsorbents For Gas Separations: A Material Development, Kinetic Assessment, And Process Performance Investigation, Shane Lawson

Doctoral Dissertations

“Adsorbent materials are promising for various gas purification processes, however, forming them into structured contactors is paramount in enhancing mass transfer properties and reducing pressure losses. In this research, various adsorbents were engineered into structured contactors with 3D printing. The overall goal of this research was to improve the formulation methods of 3D-printed adsorbents and understand their performances in gas separation processes. The specific objectives were to 1) develop new adsorbent 3D-printing strategies, 2) understand the kinetic properties of printed adsorbent monoliths, and 3) assess their process performances. Objective one was addressed by developing five 3D printing techniques: i) oxide …

Effects Of Microporous Structure On The Enzymatic Conversion Of Biomass Using A Multiscale Model, Saketh Merugu

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The generation of biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass involves innovative process technology that is being investigated worldwide. Enzymatic hydrolysis is a major step in the contemporary process of the generation of biofuels. Guided by pore size distribution measured using NMR cryoporometry, we developed pore-enzyme diffusion and adsorption models at the particle level coupled with a kinetic model for cellulose, cellobiose, and glucose production at flask level. By simulating these models in MATLAB, COMSOL, and Polymath software packages, we investigate the effects of various biomass particle-related parameters (particle dimensions, porosity, enzyme accessibility) on the characteristic time of enzyme diffusion and adsorption and …

Cyclic Sequential Adsorption Desorption/Thermal-Catalytic Oxidation Of Volatile Organic Compounds: Material Development, Process Advancement/Improvement, And Numerical Modeling, Simulation And Optimization, Busuyi Ojo Adebayo

Doctoral Dissertations

"Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a group of useful organic chemicals but when emitted have contributed to air pollution. They affect human health, cause environmental degradation and contaminate our waters and soils, so they need to be controlled. When they exist in dilute concentrations, abatement becomes challenging, thus requiring advanced abatement methods, e.g., sequential adsorption desorption/thermal-catalytic oxidation process. The overall goal of this research was to abate dilute streams of VOCs via the process. The specific objectives were to 1) develop novel adsorbent/catalyst dual-function materials (DFMs) for the process, 2) improve the operability of a one-bed-one-column reactor configuration for the …

A Speciation Modeling Study Of Heavy Metal Adsorption To Plastic In Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Units, Kaitlyn Hague

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Microplastics are an emerging concern due to their harmful effect to organisms and their ability to facilitate transport of contaminants including heavy metals. Microplastics can enter the environment through wastewater treatment plants, landfill leachate, and littering. Once in the environment microplastics can be distributed throughout rivers, the ocean, and lakes. In order to understand the adsorption of heavy metals to microplastics a geochemical modeling study was completed using Visual Minteq. Lab tests were completed to better understand what constituents are available in wastewater at four different locations: influent, clarifiers, digesters, and effluent. These constituents were then used to observe how …

A Thesis On The Interactions Between Lead Pipe Scales And Dissolved Silica From The Addition Of Sodium Silicate As A Corrosion Inhibitor, Ziqi Wang

McKelvey School of Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Ingestion of lead-contaminated drinking water is one of the major pathways for human exposure to lead. Addition of sodium silicate can potentially control lead release from lead service lines (LSLs) to the water that they convey, but the mechanism of silica uptake and corrosion control have not been reported. Knowledge of variables which affect the uptake of dissolved silica and the consumption rate of added sodium silicate by scales of corrosion products that are present on lead service lines will be useful to water utilities and distribution systems. This study investigated the effects of pH, initial silica concentration and mass …