Removal of Chlorinated VOCs from Groundwater and Other Wastewater Streams--Membrane Technology and Research, Inc. (MTR), 1360 Willow Road, Suite 103, Menlo Park, CA 94025-1516; (650) 328-2228
Dr. R. W. Baker, Principal Investigator
Ms. E. G. Weiss, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-98ER82616
Amount: $75,000

Much of the groundwater and wastewater produced by remediation activities at DOE sites is contaminated with chlorinated solvents and other volatile Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) organics. Currently, air stripping followed by carbon adsorption is the preferred treatment method. However, this technique is expensive and produces large secondary waste streams. Pervaporation is a potential cost effective method of treating water contaminated with volatile RCRA organics; however, most groundwater contains dissolved iron, and scaling from precipitated iron fouls the membrane. This project will develop new process designs and module cleaning procedures to allow pervaporation to be applied to these streams. Phase I will design a new pervaporation process and evaluate module cleaning protocols. Potential field sites for tests of the process in Phase II will be identified and an economic analysis will be performed.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: This technology could be used to treat a variety of DOE and industrial wastewater streams.