Filtration of Fluid Media Containing Very Fine Heavy Metals

78835S Developing filter materials that can capture fine ferromagnetic and paramagnetic particles, as well as radioactive contaminants, with high efficiency is of great industrial significance in pollution control processes such as water purification and waste-water treatment. The main problem facing the development of an effective filter is the ability to filter fine particles below one micron efficiently. This project will address this problem by developing composite nano-structured lightweight filter materials that can effectively remove micron and sub-micron-sized particle contaminants, especially heavy metal species. In Phase I, composite nano-structured lightweight filters will be prepared from high performance polymers and other ingredients. Filters will be designed, fabricated and tested in a fluid media containing very fine metal particles. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Potential commercial applications for the lightweight filter media include recovery and pollution-control processes for environmental and industrial problems (such as treatment of radioactive water, waste water and metalworking fluids), purification of drinking water, separation of metal contaminates from engine oil, as well as any other process that requires the separation of ultra-fine metal particles from liquid systems.