Point-of-Use System for the
Removal of UraniumFERNANDO ARREDONDOASHLEY RIVERACHRIS STARKCOLE WILBORN
May 1, 2015
Problem Statement
Our team was asked to review the available alternative POU or POE systems for removing uranium from groundwater and ultimately develop a design that would be optimal for the specific needs and constraints of private well owners in the South Texas region.
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Engineering Design Approach
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Problem Statement
Problem Definition1. Clarify objectives2. Establish metrics for
objectives3. Identify constraints4. Revise problem
statement
Conceptual Design1. Establish functions2. Establish requirements3. Establish means for
functions4. Generate design
alternatives5. Refine and apply metrics
to design alternatives6. Choose a design
Detailed Design1. Refine and optimize
chosen design2. Assign and fix design
details
Document final design
Background
● Uraniumo Mildly Radioactiveo High Exposure Causes Kidney Diseaseo Potentially Carcinogenic o EPA MCL: 30 μg/L
o Kleberg County Surveyo 50 Wells Sampled o 11 Exceeded MCL for Uranium
● Kenedy County Surveyo Similar Occurrences
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Results of Kleberg County Groundwater Survey
5Gamboa, Y. 2014. Assessment of Possible Causes of Groundwater Contamination near ISR Uranium Mining Sites.
Water Quality for Private Well in Kleberg County
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Uranium Present in Well Water
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Alternative Water Source
● Bottled Watero Average prices found in
local grocery store● Bottled Water Services
o Local supply price checked was Everest Bottled Water Company
o Rental of water cooler and prices for 5 gallon jugs priced
Key Objectives● High Efficiency
o High contaminant removal efficiencyo High energy efficiency
● Low Costo Low annual cost
● Environmental Friendlyo Minimum consumables replacement
● User Friendlyo Low maintenanceo Small footprint 9
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Measuring Objectives
Objectives Metric
Low Energy Consumption kWh/Month
Low Cost Annual Cost
Removal Efficiency Percent Removal of Uranium
Minimum Consumable Replacement
Time Before Replacement of Consumables
Low Maintenance Average Monthly Maintenance Time
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Waste Particles
Waste Gases
Waste Ions
Black Lines-MassWaste Streams
Red Lines-InformationOrange Lines-Energy
Convey Water to
Treatment Unit
Consumable Components:tubes, pipes,
treatment media, etc.
Used ConsumableComponents:tubes, pipes,
treatment media, etc.
Remove and Replace
Consumable Components
Raw Water:Gases, Ions,
Particles, etc.
Remove Particles
Remove Ions
Clean Water
Separate Dissolved
Gases. Radon, H2S
Control Flow and Pressure
Monitor Flow and Quality Parameters
Control and Pressure Signals
Flow and Quality Signals
Hydraulic Energy
Electrical Energy
Human Energy
Convert Electrical Energy to Hydraulic
energy
Heat Energy
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Ion Removal Design Space
Membrane Adsorptive Media
Contaminant with MCLs RO NF IX Electrodialysis GAC AA MnO2
U X
As(III) X
As(V) X X
Cl X X X
F X X
NO3 X X X
Se X X X
Sr X X X X12
Constraints
● Ten-year annual cost less than $500
● No more than one-step pretreatment process
● System needs to fit under a sink, no more than 7 ft3
● Must meet drinking water maximum contaminant level (MCL) for uranium (30 ppb)
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Meeting Constraints
ConstraintsMembrane
IX ElectrodialysisAdsorption
RO NF GAC AA MnO2
Annual cost less than $500 x x
No more than one step
pretreatment process
x x
System setup is no larger than 7
ft3x
Must meet drinking water
standards for Uranium,
MCL (30 ppb)
x
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Adsorption Systems
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Raw H2O
Pre-Treatment Adsorptive Media
Filtered H2O
Particles get trapped and collected on
adsorbent
Spent Resin
Removes particles
Ion Exchange
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RawH2O
Pre-Treatment Ion Exchange
Removes particles
Filtered H2O
Elutes weak, medium & strong
ions using low, medium & high salt
concentrations
Spent Resin
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Metrics Scoring System
Objectives 3 2 1
Energy Consumption <20 kWh/month
20-40 kWh/month
>40 kWh/month
Annual Cost <$200 $200-$400 $400-$500
Efficient in Removing Uranium 95-100% 90-95% 85-90%
Consumables Lifetime 12 - 18 months 6 - 12 months 1 - 6 months
Average Monthly Maintenance Time < 1 hour 1 - 3 hours >3 hours
System Size < 3 ft3 3 - 6 ft3 >7 ft3
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Scoring of ObjectivesObjectives IX AA
Energy Consumption 3 3
Annual Cost 2 1
Removal Efficiency 3 3
Low Consumables Lifetime 1 1
Low Maintenance 3 3
Design Calculations
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● Equations○ Media Replacement Time ○ Superficial Velocity ○ Empty Bed Contact Time
● Results
Calculating Cost
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● Calculating Capital Cost
● Calculating 10 Year O&M Cost
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Head Loss Calculations
h1
Head Loss = 0.09 ftPressure Drop = 0.20
psi
h2
Head Loss = 0.09 ftPressure Drop = 0.20
psi
● h1: Cartridge Filter
● h2: Ion Exchange Column
Ergun EquationHead Loss across a packed column can be calculated using the Ergun
Equation
Well
Cost
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Annual Cost
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Drawing and Specifications
24Not to Scale
Conclusion
● POU○ Uranium
■ Ion Exchange■ Use Cartridge Filter as Pretreatment
● If radon gas becomes an issue ○ Radon
■ GAC as Pretreatment ■ POE Air Stripping
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Questions?
References
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● Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR). 2014a. ToxFAQs™ for Uranium. Retrieved from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=439&tid=77 on Nov. 12, 2014.
● Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR). 2014a. ToxFAQs™ for Radium. Retrieved from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=790&tid=154 on Nov. 12, 2014.
● Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR). 2014a. ToxFAQs™ for Radon. Retrieved from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=406&tid=71 on Nov. 12, 2014.
● Barrera, A. 2014. Groundwater Quality Mapping for Kenedy County, Texas. Master’s research report, Department of Environmental Engineering, Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
● Galloway, W.E. 1979. South Texas Uranium Province – Geological Perspective. Bureau of Economic Geology, University of Texas at Austin.
● Gamboa, Y.P. 2014. Assessment of Possible Causes of Groundwater Contamination near ISR Uranium Mining Sites. Doctoral dissertation, Department of Environmental Engineering, Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
● U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). 2006. Point-of-Use or Point-of-Entry Treatment Systems. Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water, Standards and Risk Management Division. EPA 815-R-06-010.
References● Cothern, C. Richard., and Paul A. Rebers. Radon, Radium, and Uranium in Drinking
Water. Chelsea, MI: Lewis, 1990. 180-90. Web. ● Clark, Robert Maurice., and R. Scott. Summers. Strategies and Technologies for
Meeting SDWA Requirements. Lancaster, PA: Technomic Pub., 1993.Web.● Atwood, David A. "7." Radionuclides in the Environment. Chichester, West Sussex,
U.K.: Wiley, 2010. N. pag. Web.● Sengupta, Arup K. Ion Exchange Technology: Advances in Pollution Control.
Lancaster, PA: Technomic Pub., 1995. Web.● Filter Monitor (complete Set, with Accessories) | Premium Aquatics." Filter
Monitor (complete Set, with Accessories) | Premium Aquatics. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2015.
● Reverse Osmosis." Waterandairworks. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2015.● A National Drinking Water Clearinghouse Fact Sheet. Membrane’s Retention
Capabilities. (n.d.): n. pag. Web.● "Water Filtration and Water Purification." H2O Distributors. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr.
2015.● "Home Improvement Made Easy with New Lower Prices | Improve & Repair."
Home Improvement Made Easy with New Lower Prices | Improve & Repair. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2015.
● RO Engineering." RO Engineering. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2015.
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AA vs IX
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Membrane Systems
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/home/ddsun/research.html
http://www.freshwatersystems.com/c-238-ro-membranes.aspx
RawH2O
Sedi
men
t Fi
lter
Membrane
Removes dirt, rust, & sediment
Filtered H2O
Removes bacteria, viruses, radioactive
material, etc..
Waste Stream
Pump
Pressure Tank
Removes chlorine & organics
Car
bon
Filte
r
Post
Filt
er(C
arbo
n)
Removes turbidity, tastes,
odors
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Electrodialysis System
Raw H2O
Pre-Treatment
Removes particles
Dilute H2O
Concentrate
Drawing and Specifications
32Not to Scale