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Grad Student’s Water Research Flows, Places First |
| By
Nicole Hall |
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Nov 20, 2001 |
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| Kevin Good prepares a sample for water quality testing. |
Kevin Good has been recognized for his fluid research. The graduate student in the College of Engineering placed first in the annual student competition sponsored by the Ohio chapter of the American Water Works Association.
The association requested papers from students around the state who are concerned with water issues. This year, 16 students submitted abstracts to a panel of judges for review; four students were selected to present their research at the recent state conference in Cleveland. Good placed first and won $750 based on the quality of his abstract and presentation.
Good’s abstract, “Using Ion Beam Irradiation to Improve the Transport Properties and Fouling Resistance of Commercial Membranes,” is based on his work while studying for his master’s degree in chemical engineering. With faculty adviser Dr. Isabel C. Escobar, assistant professor of chemical and environmental engineering, he is examining ways to improve membrane performance when used to treat and clean water.
"Membranes are nothing more than high-tech filters," Good said. "Some have the ability to remove pollutants and contaminants such as organics and salts."
Like other filters, membranes can become clogged with rejected materials, thus preventing them from operating properly. Good’s research is attempting to use ion-beam irradiation to modify the membrane structure in hopes of improving performance.
Good said, "This obviously could have major impacts on the economics involved in using membranes to treat water."
"As a result of more stringent regulations concerning wastewater treatment, the development of separation and purification techniques that have the potential to produce water that meets or exceeds safe drinking water requirements is essential,” Escobar said. “By meeting these requirements, municipal wastewater effluents can be reused for landscape irrigation, crop irrigation, groundwater recharge, cooling systems and eventually potable use.”
She said the main concern with membrane filtration is membrane fouling, or clogging. “This adversely affects membrane performance and cost through loss in production, increase in pressure, and cleaning frequency,” Escobar said.
“The economic use of membrane filtration for wastewater treatment is currently hindered by membrane fouling,” she said. “By modifying the membrane surfaces to increase permeability and selectivity while reducing fouling, membrane filtration will need far less space, be more efficient and produce better water quality, and have a higher resistance to fouling resulting in less cleaning. These benefits would not only compensate for the cost of modification but may also make the treatment system more economical than conventional techniques."
The award will help Good continue his research and also aid in his quest for a career after graduating in May. "I am in the process of interviewing with several environmental engineering firms that are interested in entering the field of membrane water treatment."
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