Research
(South Table from Mines Campus)
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A treatment train approach
A treatment train approach
Any solution to address emerging contaminants such as PFAS must provide both removal and destruction. I combine nanofiltration to remove PFAS from wastewater with hydrothermal alkaline treatment (HALT) of the membrane reject to mineralize PFAS by breaking the C-F bond.
High Pressure Membranes
High Pressure Membranes
Bench Studies
We utilize lab scale flat sheet membrane systems to evaluate the rejection of a wide range of PFAS with varied background matrices and operating conditions. Differences in chain length and compound charge can impact the efficacy of PFAS treatment by nanofiltration membranes.
Pilot Evaluations
Benchtop data informs pilot experiments designed to evaluate operating conditions that can be implemented in full scale treatment systems. These experiments utilize automated spiral wound membrane systems that operate in multiple configurations to optimize water recovery. When possible, real municipal and industrial wastewaters are utilized to determine the impact background constituents on the removal of target pollutants.
Rejection Modeling
Experimental data is integrated into membrane transport models including the phenomenological modal and Donnan steric pore model to predict performance and elucidate rejection mechanisms. The importance of steric and electrostatic partitioning must be understood to determine the fate of PFAS in membrane systsems.
Hydrothermal Alkaline Treatment (HALT)
Hydrothermal Alkaline Treatment (HALT)
The Strathmann lab has developed hydrothermal alkaline treatment (HALT), a novel subcritical destruction technology that can mineralize PFAS species given sufficient temperature, time, and pH. My work focuses on applying HALT to treat PFAS and organic co-contaminants present in reject streams produced by nanofiltration of industrial wastewaters.
Learn more at:
Strathmann Group Research Website
Bellona Group Website
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