Advanced Environmental Concepts
|
|
Georgia Tech’s environmental research works to assist with
improving environmental treatment technologies, water usage reduction,
and regulatory compliance.
|
Research Focus
Environmental research activities focused on developing new technologies
for disinfection and odor control applications.
Disinfection work focused
on continuing to develop the Taylor Vortex advanced ultraviolet (UV)
disinfection system, with efforts mainly concentrated
on its ability to enhance chiller water reuse performance. Studies
were also initiated to examine its performance on the disinfection
and recycling of
other liquid streams (e.g., marinations) to reduce total phosphorus
loadings in wastewater streams. Preliminary results indicate that
UV treatment for
chiller water requires a technology design that can compensate for
limited UV penetration depths. UV lamp intensity is typically reported
for a 1 cm
(0.39 in.) depth in potable water; however, UV penetration is often
significantly diminished. For example, unfiltered chiller water allows
germicidal UV penetration
of just 4.8 mm (0.19 in.) and only 7.0 mm (0.28 in.) if filtered
with up Disinfection work focused on continuing to develop the Taylor Vortex
advanced
ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system, with efforts particularly focused
on
its ability to enhance chiller water reuse performance. to 1 micron
(0.000039 in.). The Taylor Vortex design can automatically adjust
for diminished chiller
water UV light transmittance so that disinfection is performed effectively
throughout the entire depth (potentially eliminating the need for
additional disinfection chemicals such as ozone).
ATRP’s odor studies assessed the impact on biological wastewater
systems of antioxidants used to stabilize DAF skimmings. Researchers evaluated
methods
for monitoring SPN oxidation as part of the broader assessment of
SPN quality, nuisance odor generation, and the impact of SPN antioxidants
on wastewater
pre-treatment systems. Researchers concluded that comparing anisidine,
thiobarbituric acid, or their ratio with either hexanal or free fatty acid
formation would
provide a greater indicator of appropriate SPN quality analysis and
hence odor generation potential.
|
