Project Info
SIMULTANEOUSLY RECOVER BIOFUEL AND REMOVE HALOGENATED ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS IN HARVESTED PLANTS FROM PHYTOREMEDIATION
Shilai Hao
shao@mines.edu
Project Goals and Description:
This project will apply a novel and promising thermal treatment process, hydrothermal alkaline treatment (HALT), to harvested plants from phytoremediation of highly persistent pollutants, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), contamination. The harvested plant with super accumulated contaminates can be considered hazardous waste which requires further disposal. Ideally, we can simultaneously remove the contaminants and turn the hazardous waste into valuable energy resources via HALT, which will be examined in this project.
More Information:
Grand Challenge: Provide access to clean water.
Website: https://strathmanngroup.com/timothy-strathmann/
Publications:https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=LDXrq20AAAAJ&hl=en
EPA regulations on PFAS: https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas
Primary Contacts:
Shilai Hao, shao@mines.edu | Timothy Strathmann, strthmnn@mines.edu
Student Preparation
Qualifications
Have basic chemistry knowledge, meticulous and patient
TIME COMMITMENT (HRS/WK)
4
SKILLS/TECHNIQUES GAINED
The student will work with the team to run batch reactions at varying reaction conditions, analyze the residual concentrations of contaminants, and characterize the properties of biofuel after hydrothermal treatment. A comprehensive suite of advanced analytical methods including higher-solution mass spectrometry will be used. Ideally, an optimal reaction condition that can destroy most contaminants and achieve a high yield of biofuel will be determined. The student will meet regularly with the mentor to discuss progress and plan the next experiments.
MENTORING PLAN
Weekly meeting for project progress, hands-on training in the lab, editing the final report
Preferred Student Status
Sophomore
Junior