Ozone-Enhanced Particle Removal in Water Treatment. Combined ozonation/biologically active carbon filtration provides effective contaminant removal while minimizing disinfection by-product formation. However, the cost of installation in conventional water treatment plants is very high. This project will investigate the beneficial influence of ozonation on the micro-flocculation of small particles, with the aim to optimising particle removal by sedimentation prior to filtration. To do this, requi ....Ozone-Enhanced Particle Removal in Water Treatment. Combined ozonation/biologically active carbon filtration provides effective contaminant removal while minimizing disinfection by-product formation. However, the cost of installation in conventional water treatment plants is very high. This project will investigate the beneficial influence of ozonation on the micro-flocculation of small particles, with the aim to optimising particle removal by sedimentation prior to filtration. To do this, requires a clear understanding of how dissolved ozone interacts with particle surfaces for different water chemistries. The ideal outcome would be to develop a robust water treatment system that required BAC filtration only and eliminated the need for a conventional sand filtration stage as well.Read moreRead less
Characterisation and Treatment of Reverse Osmosis Concentrates from Water Recycling Applications. Concentrates from reverse osmosis (RO) pose a considerable threat to both the environment but also the successful implementation of reverse osmosis as a technology. Naturally, the concentrate contains everything that the RO retains and hence contaminants such as viruses, organics such as pharmaceutically active compounds and hormones as well as nutrients and salinity. Treatment of such waste streams ....Characterisation and Treatment of Reverse Osmosis Concentrates from Water Recycling Applications. Concentrates from reverse osmosis (RO) pose a considerable threat to both the environment but also the successful implementation of reverse osmosis as a technology. Naturally, the concentrate contains everything that the RO retains and hence contaminants such as viruses, organics such as pharmaceutically active compounds and hormones as well as nutrients and salinity. Treatment of such waste streams will enhance the health of receiving water bodies and reduce the risk of increased build up of contaminants if wastes are recycled into wastewater treatment plants. New ways to treat such contaminants will be explored, the efficiency and cost evaluated in the broader water cycle and sustainability framework.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR180100027
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,086,676.00
Summary
Integrated, scalable technology solutions for PFAS removal and destruction. This project aims to deliver a ready-to-deploy and scalable modular technology that is capable of removing poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from a variety of water sources, including groundwater and surface waters, to make them virtually PFAS-free and therefore safe for human consumption. The concept draws on recent advances in water treatment and electrochemistry that is based on ion exchange, nanofiltration ....Integrated, scalable technology solutions for PFAS removal and destruction. This project aims to deliver a ready-to-deploy and scalable modular technology that is capable of removing poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from a variety of water sources, including groundwater and surface waters, to make them virtually PFAS-free and therefore safe for human consumption. The concept draws on recent advances in water treatment and electrochemistry that is based on ion exchange, nanofiltration and advanced oxidation. A risk-based framework will be developed to deliver fit-for-purpose solutions at minimal cost for stakeholders and taxpayers. This project is expected to benefit the residents who live in the vicinity of contaminated waterways or consume water from polluted sources.Read moreRead less
Mitigation of silica nanoparticle scaling in water treatment. This project aims to develop strategies to mitigate silica scaling at coal seam gas (CSG) water treatment facilities. CSG is adsorbed to the surface of coal along fractures and cleats and released when pressure is reduced by removal of groundwater, which has chemistry specific to the region from which it is extracted. Desalination of produced water is severely impacted by mineral scaling on reverse osmosis membranes. This project will ....Mitigation of silica nanoparticle scaling in water treatment. This project aims to develop strategies to mitigate silica scaling at coal seam gas (CSG) water treatment facilities. CSG is adsorbed to the surface of coal along fractures and cleats and released when pressure is reduced by removal of groundwater, which has chemistry specific to the region from which it is extracted. Desalination of produced water is severely impacted by mineral scaling on reverse osmosis membranes. This project will consider silica and silica-rich nanoparticles in concert with cations and organics, with the aim of better managing cations so to facilitate nanoparticle lubrication. Project outcomes may include more productive use of assets, improved pre-treatment infrastructure to support reverse osmosis operation, and the environmental benefits of reduced chemical waste and increased water recovery.Read moreRead less
Assessment and optimisation of N-nitrosamine rejection by reverse osmosis for planned potable water recycling applications. Water recycling is a strategic approach to secure potable water supplies in Australia. The underlying challenge is to protect public health by ensuring robust treatment processes capable of effectively eliminating contaminants of concern. This research aims to enhance the capabilities of advanced water treatment plant designers and operators to control N-nitrosamine concent ....Assessment and optimisation of N-nitrosamine rejection by reverse osmosis for planned potable water recycling applications. Water recycling is a strategic approach to secure potable water supplies in Australia. The underlying challenge is to protect public health by ensuring robust treatment processes capable of effectively eliminating contaminants of concern. This research aims to enhance the capabilities of advanced water treatment plant designers and operators to control N-nitrosamine concentrations by optimised reverse osmosis treatment. A predictive model will be developed allowing for the optimisation of N-nitrosamine removal by reverse osmosis filtration in full scale installation. The project will directly enhance the viability of indirect potable water recycling and thus reduce dependency on water sources vulnerable to climate change.Read moreRead less
A new management tool for effective wastewater source control. The use of recycled wastewater can dramatically increase the water supply capacity. However, the potential health risk from possible containments in recycled wastewater must be mitigated. This project aims to develop an effective wastewater source management tool for safeguarding the recycled water production and usage.
Membrane distillation development for concentrated solar thermal systems. Membrane distillation development for concentrated solar thermal systems. This project aims to develop a new membrane distillation module that works with a high efficiency solar thermal tower system. Fresh water and energy are inextricably linked and form the basis for all human activity. Remote locations in Australia and the Middle East and North Africa are blessed with abundant solar resources and increasing levels of de ....Membrane distillation development for concentrated solar thermal systems. Membrane distillation development for concentrated solar thermal systems. This project aims to develop a new membrane distillation module that works with a high efficiency solar thermal tower system. Fresh water and energy are inextricably linked and form the basis for all human activity. Remote locations in Australia and the Middle East and North Africa are blessed with abundant solar resources and increasing levels of development, but burdened by access to reliable water treatment and electricity generation facilities. This project will use recently developed materials and design tools to overcome technical challenges that limited membrane distillation technology. This is expected to open up an innovative method for co-production of water and electricity which can handle transient solar and water quality inputs.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR180200059
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$820,000.00
Summary
PFAS Harvester: A Technology for Destruction / Resource Recovery from PFAS. This project is concerned with the development and advancement of the PFAS Harvester: a novel poly-generation thermal process for combined destruction and resource recovery from PFAS contaminated media. The proposed research seeks to determine the fundamental science underpinning the creation of the PFAS Harvester and identify operating conditions necessary to support its commercial rollout. The project will pay a speci ....PFAS Harvester: A Technology for Destruction / Resource Recovery from PFAS. This project is concerned with the development and advancement of the PFAS Harvester: a novel poly-generation thermal process for combined destruction and resource recovery from PFAS contaminated media. The proposed research seeks to determine the fundamental science underpinning the creation of the PFAS Harvester and identify operating conditions necessary to support its commercial rollout. The project will pay a special attention to field testing of a pilot-scale prototype of the technology using PFAS concentrates generated at an active remediation site. The project is expected to deliver the scientific building blocks necessary for development of the Harvester; representing a vital step towards an end-to-end PFAS remediation solution. Read moreRead less