Efficient Metal Ion Removal From Waste Streams Using Aerogels

10 Efficient Metal Ion Removal From Waste Streams Using Aerogels--Industrial Science and Technology Network, Inc., 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., York, PA 17404-1754; (717) 843-0300 Dr. Roman Domszy, Principal Investigator Dr. Arthur J. Yang, Business Official DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-97ER82409 Amount: $74,714 The Department of Energy is responsible for developing a ten-year plan to remediate most of the radioactive and hazardous waste sites in the Nation¿s nuclear weapons complex. Effective cleanup of these sites requires technologies beyond commercially available ion-exchange and specialty sorbent systems. The main objective of this project is to incorporate a surface modification technology into the production of low cost aerogel material in order to generate a new class of commercial products for an efficient and selective removal of heavy metal ions from waste water streams. The application utilizes the high surface area as well as the high reactivity of the surface silanol groups of a low density nanopore material, the aerogel. Estimates suggest that such a surface-modified aerogel substrate could treat an amount of waste water up to 30,000 times it¿s own volume and substantially reduce the cost of remediation. In Phase I, investigations will be conducted to determine how to incorporate a monolayer onto the surface of an aerogel substrate. The effectiveness of this substrate as an absorber of heavy metal ions will then be determined. In Phase II, an overall attempt to reduce the cost of the final product will be made by optimizing processing conditions, replacing currently used solvents, and integrating processing steps. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Recent progress in the process of producing aerogel in large quantity at a low cost have created a business opportunity for this new technology in addition to addressing the needs of the Department of Energy. This technology could be marketable to waste water treatment plants, commercial nuclear utilities, and decontamination and decommissioning firms. The high concentration of the adsorbed metal ions (silver, copper, etc.) in such a material also presents an opportunity for the recovery of precious metals.