2015 AIChE Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT
Session: 09C01 Treatment of Emerging/Hazardous Contaminants
Generating Perchlorate and N-Nitrosodimethylamine Isotherms Using Pecan Shell Activated Carbons
Jere Freeh, Dave Amidei, David Rockstraw, Catherine E. Brewer
Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering NMSU
The evaluation of low level perchlorate contamination and N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in water has become a recent concern for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Many states including New Mexico and California have reported perchlorate and NDMA contamination in drinking water. Current research suggests that 4-18 parts per billion of perchlorate is an acceptable exposure level. Activated carbon created from pecan shell waste may provide a new alternative for the treatment of contaminated water. The aim of this study is to generate isotherms using commercial activated carbons as well as carbons generated from locally-sourced pecan shells and pecan orchard waste. Pecan waste accounts for roughly 40 million pounds of waste in Mesilla Valley of New Mexico alone, making it a viable source for creating activated carbon. The anticipated findings from this research include the adsorptive capacity of pecan waste carbon for perchlorate and NDMA in comparison to commercially-available carbons.
See more of this Group/Topical: Environmental Division