Nanoporous Aerogels for the Absorption of Hydrocarbons in Contaminated Water

This SBIR Phase I project will develop an aerogel separation medium for removal of both oily residues and dissolved organics from wastewaters. Flexible blankets will cover the surface of the wastewater and will follow a conventional separation step for removal of colloidal and dissolved organics. The material will be regenerated by extraction with super-critical carbon dioxide. The broader/commercial impacts of the proposed project will be a faster and more cost effective treatment process for various wastewaters such as from oil spills and from petroleum and petrochemical operations. Current methods are not able to collect such hydrocarbon wastes inexpensively.