Project Info
Desalination using a clathrate hydrate technology
Carolyn Koh
ckoh@mines.edu
Project Goals and Description:
Clathrate hydrates are solid inclusion crystals comprised of hydrogen-bonded water cages that can trap small guest molecules (e.g., CO2). In the presence of saline solution, clathrate hydrate crystals will form, while excluding the salt ions from the water cages, such that separating the clathrate hydrate crystals from the concentrated saline solution can produce fresh water. A key challenge to advance the clathrate hydrate technology for desalination is controlled crystal nucleation and growth, which will be the focus of this project.
More Information:
Grand Challenge: Provide access to clean water.
Koh, C.A. et al., Fundamentals and Applications of Gas Hydrates, Annual Review of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vol. 2, Page 237-257 (2011).
Khan, M. N., Peters, C. J., & Koh, C. A. Desalination Using Gas Hydrates: The Role of Crystal Nucleation, Growth and Separation. Desalination, Vol. 468, Page 114049 (2019).
https://chemeng.mines.edu/koh-recruiting-page/
Primary Contacts:
Carolyn Koh, ckoh@mines.edu
Student Preparation
Qualifications
CBEN 210 Thermodynamics, or its equivalent
TIME COMMITMENT (HRS/WK)
5
SKILLS/TECHNIQUES GAINED
Hands-on experimental research skills, interfacial tension measurement methods, crystal growth techniques.
MENTORING PLAN
Weekly meetings with C. Koh, and daily interactions and co-mentorship with graduate student.
PREFERRED STUDENT STATUS
Sophomore
Junior
Senior