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