Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Technical Sessions
W1: PFAS Remediation: Regulation, Adsorption, and Destruction
IWC Rep: Bradley D. Wolf, P.E., Berkeley Research Group, Pittsburgh, PA
Session Chair: Tom Gurley, ChemTreat, Glen Allen, VA
Discussion Leader: Larry Gottlieb, ResinTech, Inc, Camden, NJ
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Room: Celebrity Ballroom 5
With the finalization of national drinking water standards for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in early 2024, the need for reliable, known PFAS remediation technologies is as great as ever. The diversity of PFAS compounds and the liquids and solids they are present in necessitates a comprehensive review of best available technologies and developing technologies. Please join us in this session as experts from diverse fields converge to address one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. The session begins with a road map for navigating PFAS treatments, and then further dives into specific treatment technologies such as reverse osmosis, ion exchange, activated carbon, and several destruction methods.
IWC 24-61: PFAS What To Do BEFORE You Do It
Philip Farina, Clear Creek Systems, Toledo, OH
The new PFAS regulations will significantly impact treatment requirements for drinking and non-drinking water applications. Water treatment facilities need a road map that can be followed to determine the best commercially available options to meet the new regulations.
This presentation will review the benefits of all the commercially available PFAS treatment options. It will allow a treatment facility a path forward to determine the best method for their specific needs.
Discusser: Paul Nedwick, ResinTech, Camden, NJ
IWC 24-62: PFAS Removal from Lightly to Highly Contaminated Source Waters by Ion Exchange Resins: Case Studies
Zhendong Liu, LANXESS Corporation, Birmingham, NJ; John McPeak, LANXESS Corporation, Birmingham, NJ; Dirk Steinhilber, LANXESS Deutschland GmbH, Cologne, Germany; Kirtipal Barse, LANXESS Corporation, Birmingham, NJ; Firuza Mir, LANXESS Corporation, Birmingham, NJ
The paper presents cases studies of using ion exchange (IX) resins to treat waters contaminated with different levels of PFAS, ranging from ppt to ppm. Low PFAS ground waters can be treated by once-through selective resins, while waste waters containing larger amounts of PFAS can consider regenerable resins. Properties and characteristics of both types of resin are discussed. Pros and cons of using regenerable resins, regeneration methods and destruction options of spent regenerant are reviewed.
Discusser: Stephen Wheeler, ResinTech, Inc., Camden, NJ
IWC 24-63: Initial Results from PFAS Destruction Testing: Low-Temperature Drying and Ultra High Temperature Plasma Synthesis Reactor for Biosolids Management
Brandon Davis, Heartland Water Technology, Murfreesboro, TN; Jim Henderson, Heartland Water Technology, Carrollton, VA
In response to the pressing challenges posed by PFAS regulations and the limitations in traditional biosolids disposal methods, a technical solution has emerged, leveraging low temperature conductive drying in tandem with ultra-high-temperature ionic gasification. This innovative approach promises an up to 95% mass reduction with 90% carbon conversion of biosolids depending on waste characterization while concurrently generating two valuable resources: reusable char and clean renewable syngas for energy recovery.
Discusser: Caroline Wilson, P.E., Kiewit, Shawnee, KS
IWC 24-64: Economically and Environmentally Sustainable Method of PFAS Destruction
Devesh Mittal, Aquatech International, Canonsburg, PA
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as “forever chemicals,” are significant environmental contaminants affecting communities and industries globally. Existing liquid treatment technologies often concentrate PFAS, leading to costly and energy-intensive disposal challenges. Aquatech will present an innovative PFAS destruction system that offers an economically and environmentally sustainable solution for onsite PFAS destruction. This presentation will highlight the technology’s ability to break carbon-fluorine bonds, showcasing data from successful trials and commercial deployments across Europe, the U.S., and Australia.
Discusser: Shannon Brown, Woodard & Curran, St. Charles, MO
W2: Salty Tales: Approaches taken in Brine Space
IWC Rep: Derek Henderson, P.E., Duke Energy Corporation, Raleigh, NC
Session Chair: Andrew Erickson, Sargent & Lundy, Kansas City, MO
Discussion Leader: Arash Karimi, Ph.D., P.Eng., Worley, Calgary, AB, Canada
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Room: Celebrity Ballroom 6
Join us for a riveting session on Brine Processes and Optimization, where we will have a choppy ride through the high seas of brine. No worries though, we will navigate through it with amazing papers covering experiences and approaches to brine; all while keeping your sense of humor buoyant amidst the briny waves. Come aboard and let’s set sail towards a saltier, yet sustainable future!
IWC 24-65: Advanced and Minimum Liquid Discharge (MLD) Reverse Osmosis Technologies
Michael Boyd, Veolia, Louisville, CO
Over the past decade, there have been more advancements to how spiral, thin film compositive (TFC) reverse osmosis (RO) membranes are operated than at any other point in time relative to the inception of the technology. Static, multi-stage arrays are being replaced by dynamic-multi-stage arrays or dynamic-single-stage arrays (open loop, closed loop and dead end) and thermal evaporators are being replaced by ultra-high-pressure RO and/or low salt rejection RO or osmotically assisted RO. As these new technologies are commercialized, it’s important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each process and when and where each are applicable. This presentation will review multiple feed water sources and their associated water chemistries, their associated scaling and fouling potentials, system designs and corresponding membrane projections. The overall objective will be to understand where these technologies fit and the associated performance within an overall process flow diagram for water, wastewater reuse and zero liquid discharge applications.
Discusser: Omkar Lokare, Turing AI, Woburn, MA
IWC 24-66: The Power of UV Technology to Combat Biofouling and Boost Membrane Performance
Ytzhak Rozenberg, Atlantium Technologies; Amichai Felder, Atlantium Technologies
Biofouling on membrane surfaces significantly reduces membrane performance and lifespan. Current biofouling prevention methods, such as chemical biocides, are costly and don’t always reduce the biofouling potential. A treatment alternative based on a novel medium-pressure (MP) ultraviolet (UV) technology minimizes the membrane biofouling potential, limits bacterial growth, and protects RO membranes and other sensitive equipment without chemicals. Operational data shows the technology enhances membrane performance and prolongs membrane life; two case studies will be presented.
Discusser: Chris Baron, ChemTreat, Newark, DE
IWC 24-67: Novel Approach to High Recovery and High Efficiency Desalination using Membrane Flux Balancing, Intermittent Concentration Polarization Disruption and Direct Real-Time Membrane Monitoring
Dileep Agnihotri, Ph.D., WaterSurplus, Loves Park, IL; Jody Burgess, WaterSurplus, Loves Park, IL; John Barelli, WaterSurplus, Loves Park, IL
This paper presents ImpactRO™ technology incorporating membrane flux-balancing, intermittent concentration polarization (CP) disruption, and direct membrane monitoring processes into a single RO system, within the core design of the traditional RO. The resulting system allows for higher recoveries, minimized energy use with optimized flux profile, a periodically disrupted CP layer to prevent fouling, and a real-time direct membrane monitor to detect, stop, and reverse fouling. The end result is an energy efficient, low-fouling, high-recovery RO.
Discusser: David Shin, Hydranautics, Oceanside, CA
IWC 24-68: Alternative Solution for the High pH RO Process in the Semiconductor Industry – a Techno- Economic Comparison of an Innovative Brine Minimization Technology
Roi Zaken Porat, IDE Water Technologies, Kadima, Israel; Liron Ophek, IDE Water Technologies, Kadima, Israel; Yonatan Graber, IDE Water Technologies, Kadima, Israel
An in-depth analysis of an innovative solution for treating biological treatment effluent in the semiconductor industry. This lecture will compare the standard high pH RO brine minimization approach with the novel MaxH2O Desalter technology. The paper will review their effectiveness in achieving full ZLD and explore the economic implications of each method. The findings highlight the cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability of the innovative desalination technology, making it a promising solution for the semiconductor industry facing water scarcity and stringent environmental regulations.
Discusser: Adhiraj Joshi, P.E., Whittier Filtration, Inc., Brea, CA
W3: Wastewater 2: Bubbles, Biofilm, and BOD: Wastewater Solutions for Industry
IWC Rep: Michael J. Soller, P.E., DBIA, Bowen Engineering, Indianapolis, IN
Session Chair: Russell Huffmyer, V-Systems, Pittsburgh, PA
Discussion Leader: Brian Arntsen, Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions, Oakville, ON, Canada
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Room: Celebrity Ballroom 7
Wastewater treatment is effective using different types of processes, but defining what works best includes a full understanding of the facility constraints and challenges. The papers in this session will address boiler water treatment and condensate polishing, nutrient reduction and removal, and sustainability by using different chemistry techniques and biological processes. These papers use research case studies in operating facilities such as an apple processing plant, a food and beverage construction project and a pharmaceutical plant in Mexico to evaluate the treatment of brine from an existing primary RO system.
IWC 24-69: Successful Field Demonstration Treating Highly Concentrated Silica Brine Using a Dynamic, Single-Stage Reverse Osmosis Technology
John Korpiel, P.E., Veolia WT, Wexford, PA; Francisco Javier Diaz Diaz Mirón, and Jose Angel Solis Herrera, Veolia WT, Tlalnepantla, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
A field demonstration was conducted at a pharmaceutical plant in Mexico to evaluate the treatment of brine from an existing primary reverse osmosis (RO) system using a proprietary dynamic, single-stage RO (DSSRO) technology. The feed brine was supersaturated in silica, which would have presented significant fouling challenges for a conventional RO system. The objectives were to evaluate the effectiveness of DSSRO technology to recover water suitable for plant reuse and to minimize brine discharge volume.
Discusser: Kurt Blohm, American Water Chemicals, San Diego, CA
IWC 24-70: Drivers for Residual COD Removal at Industrial Water Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRFs)
William Celenza, Burns & McDonnell, Chicago, IL ; Sean O’Mara, Burns & McDonnell, Chicago, IL; Victoria Otrubina, Burns & McDonnell, Chicago, IL
Influent wastewater BOD:COD ratio is measured for predicting biotreatability; however, treated effluent BOD:COD ratios have not typically been used as a treatment benchmark. The merging of wastewater reuse requirements and stringent discharge criteria in some states and countries such as China have already required COD values as low as 3 times BOD values. This discussion will present residual COD removal scenarios at industrial facilities and present case study schemes to achieve increased COD removal efficiencies.
Discusser: Dallas Torgersen, WesTech Engineering, Salt Lake City, UT
IWC 24-71: MBBR + DAF Solutions for Food & Beverage Industry
Chandler Johnson, Justin Olson, and Scott Jay, World Water Works, Oklahoma City, OK
MBBR + DAF solutions are a mainstay solution for pre-treatment to direct discharge requirements. As regulations change to ammonia and/or total nitrogen limits, industrial clients need to understand what their existing systems can achieve and look to upgrade them and re-use as much infrastructure as possible. The paper will present case studies utilizing MBBR + DAF meeting BOD pre-treatment limits and meeting Total Nitrogen and BOD to meet direct discharge limits in the beverage industry.
Discusser: Anthony Amendola, P.Eng., Newterra, Brockville, ON, Canada
IWC 24-72: Advanced Fouling Control for Once-Through Systems Including Innovative Solutions for Monitoring, Treatment, and Optimization
Nora Eibergen, Nalco Water, an Ecolab Company, Naperville, IL; Alex Pearson, Nalco Water, an Ecolab Company, Naperville, IL; Joanna Brown, Nalco Water, an Ecolab Company, Naperville, IL; Joseph Bopp, Nalco Water, an Ecolab Company, Naperville, IL
Once-through cooling water systems present unique challenges to successful water treatment. This presentation showcases how innovations in chemistry, automated monitoring and control, and a novel deposit sensing technology were implemented at a coal-fired power plant to heal the cooling lake, improve operational performance, and reduce chemistry usage by 25%.
Discusser: Utsav Shashvatt, Xylem, Houston, TX
W4: The Next Wave of Produced Water Management
IWC Rep: Ivan Morales, Nalco Water, an Ecolab Company, Calgary, AB, Canada
Session Chair: Adam Sutherland, P.E., Stantec, Nashville, TN
Discussion Leader: Chip Westaby, Benchmark Measurement Solutions / TDHI, Kirkwood, MO
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Room: Celebrity Ballroom 8
The session will provide a comprehensive update on the Produced Water industry, specifically the Permian Basin, Delaware Basin, California, and the Canadian Oil Sands. We will explore the latest trends and developments, including important activities from the New Mexico and Texas Produced Water Consortiums. We encourage audience participation and invite you to share your questions and insights, as your contributions will help foster a more enriching discussion and drive constructive dialogue in our field.
IWC 24-73: Over a Decade of Successful Operation Treating Produced Water at an Oilfield Using Elevated pH Reverse Osmosis Technology
John Korpiel, P.E., Veolia WT, Wexford, PA; Jacob Long, Veolia North America, San Luis Obispo, CA; Dwight Ferguson, Veolia North America, San Luis Obispo, CA
Proprietary elevated pH RO technology has provided successful treatment of produced water at an oilfield water reclamation facility in the western United States for the past eleven years. The robust treatment process treats the produced water for surface water discharge and for reuse as make-up water for steam generation. This paper describes the water quality specifications, treatment challenges, innovative treatment process train selected, and system performance over the past eleven years of operation.
Discusser: Jeff Easton, Ph.D., P.E., Clearstream, Sandy, UT
IWC 24-74: Withdrawn
IWC 24-75: Evaluation of Polymeric Dispersant Chemistries to Reduce Scaling and Fouling in OTSG Systems
Kaylie Young, Ph.D., ChampionX, Sugar Land, TX; Marlon Norona amd Matt LaPrairie, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Calgary, AB, Canada; Ron Maltman, ChampionX, Calgary, AB, Canada; Martin Godfrey, ChampionX, Sugar Land, TX
Steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) and cyclic steam stimulation (CSS) are the two methods widely adopted to extract bitumen from underground oil sands deposits in Canada. These methods rely on the injection of large amounts of steam into the reservoir to reduce the viscosity of the entrapped hydrocarbons and allow them to be brought to the surface. Once through steam generators (OTSGs) are the main workhorses employed for steam production at SAGD and CSS facilities due to their versatile design that allows the use of poorer quality feedwater that contains elevated concentrations of organic and inorganic impurities. These impurities, along with residual oil and suspended particles present in the feedwater, lead to the eventual precipitation of organic and inorganic scales and increased corrosion in OTSGs. This may limit the reliability of steam generation and the overall capacity of a facility to produce steam and oil. To reduce the risk of tube fouling, OTSGs are commonly operated at relatively low steam quality (75-80%). Improving performance of OTSGs to achieve higher steam qualities is imperative for efficient production of oil sands and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Discusser: René Bélanger, Kurita Canada Inc., Sturgeon County, AB, Canada
IWC 24-76: A Novel Approach to Obtaining High-Level Water and Steam Plant Mass Balances using Standard Process Simulators
Basil Perdicakis, Suncor Energy, Calgary, AB Canada; Arash Karimi, Ph.D., P.Eng., Worley Consulting, Calgary, AB, Canada; Denis Westphalen, Process Ecology, Calgary, BC, Canada; Clayton Wong, Suncor Energy, Calgary, AB, Canada
Water and ionic chemistry material balances for steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) water and steam plants based in the oil sands regions of Alberta, Canada have historically been done in spreadsheet programs. Such approaches are prone to errors due to the complexity of the water flowsheet, particularly in more complex SAGD assets. A novel use of a standard process simulator is presented which provides a customizable high‐level mass balance and corresponding chemical consumptions and water treatment waste volumes.
Discusser: Rena Bae, P.E., Stantec, Charlotte, NC