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Project title

Development of chemically engineered nano-porous absorbents for phosphate removal from waste water streams (b)

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University College Cork (UCC)

Lead Applicant

Michael A Morris

Project Abstract

This project has achieved significant success in the last 18 months. During that time project results were presented (orally or poster) at national and international conferences. Work was carried out within the Chemistry department at UCC at the ERI (Environmental Research Institute) also at UCC. This meant that the facilities for synthesizing and characterising mesoporous materials were available within UCC or the ERI (Environmental research institute). In particular, XRD, UV-VIS spectroscopy and BET (surface area measurements) were available in Chemistry and XPS, SEM and atomic adsorption spectroscopy available in the ERI. TEM was available in UCC and Tyndall. Up to 20 test materials (as porous powders) were synthesised with varying Ti or Fe doping levels within a porous silica matrix. They were characterised using x-ray diffraction (XRD), N2-adsorption isotherms (BET method) and transmission and scanning electron microscopies (TEM/SEM). These materials removed up to 100% of phosphates from waste water and analysed using UV-Vis spectroscopy (by use of the molybdenum blue method which produces a distinct color change in presence of phosphate). The most successful materials from these experiments were then studied in more depth using more sophisticated apparatus to probe uptake kinetics as well as saturation uptake. Figure 1(a) shows a UV-Vis profile of a 1ppm solution of phosphate before and after addition of 0.25g 401 Ti-doped mesoporous silica. After 1h agitation there is a clear reduction in the phosphate level to ~0.2ppm. Figure 1(b) shows a TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy) image of the 401 Ti-doped silica. Figure 1(c) shows the rates of adsorption of Ti-doped silica at ratios of 201, 401 and 801. This proves that higher levels of Ti-doped silica in more effective for phosphate removal. This success of this work has also led on to other areas such as pore size expansion and tailoring of mesoporous powders and gels which can be applied to other environmental technologies. In an effort to scale-up laboratory processes, we have recently developed a synthesis method for the large scale (0.2kg) production of mesoporous silica powders. These large batches have been packed into commercially available filtration systems for iron sequestering. In conjunction with Acorn Water, Bandon, Co Cork we currently have a pilot water filter system being prototyped on domestic premises. This will be a model for a similar phosphate reduction system can be trialed at a small waste water treatment plant. Over the last 18 months Mr. McManamon also supervised, trained and transferred his knowledge to undergraduate and postgraduate research students and helped another EPA-funded postgraduate at UCC. He has been trained various synthesis and analysing techniques to best lab practice. Within the Chemistry Department at UCC Mr. McManamon taught practicals to 1st Year Science students and demonstrated to 1st and 2nd year Chemistry students.

Grant Approved

�30,100.00

Research Hub

Natural Environment

Research Theme

Protecting our Water Resources

Start Date

01/11/2009

Initial Projected Completion Date

01/11/2010