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Nanopore-Silica Reactive Adsorbent--Industrial Science and Technology Network, Inc., 2101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 21, York, PA  17404-1754; 717-843-0300

Dr. Arthur Yang, Principal Investigator

Dr. Arthur J. M. Yang, Business Official

DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-00ER83020

Amount:  $99,997

 

The cost of treating heavy metal ions in a waste stream is increasing due to a stricter control on the discharge limits.  A high-efficiency and high-capacity adsorbent is needed for the cost-effective treatment of heavy metal ions.  For precious metals, a reactive treatment to recover the metal out of the waste is most economical and preferred.  A reactive adsorbent will be made by embedding reactant particles in the silica structure of a high-efficiency nanopore adsorbent such as CSMG (Chemically Surface Modified Gel).  Such a reactive adsorbent can raise the speed and capacity of the waste treatment several times higher than those achieved separately by the two individual components.  The reactive adsorption allows the recovery of valuable raw material during the waste treatment.  New reactive adsorbents will be synthesized to separate and recover heavy metals out of a waste stream.  An integrated treatment system that can restore the waste solution (for example, a photographic fixer solution) to its original form for reuse will be designed and evaluated. 

 

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:  A reactive adsorbent can reduce the cost of waste treatment several times lower.  It can be used to recover a valuable raw material during a waste treatment operation.  Additionally, an integrated reactive adsorption system may be used to regenerate a waste solution for repetitive uses therefore minimizing the amount of waste discharge to the environment.  A high-efficiency reactive adsorbent can be used to treat water resources such as the polluted rivers and lakes.