Texas A&M University Texas A&M University Enrichment Experiences Enrichment Experiences

in Engineering 2009in Engineering 2009Kamilah WarrenKamilah Warren

MacArthur High School MacArthur High School Aldine ISDAldine ISD

*Dr. Bryan Boulanger**Dr. Bryan Boulanger*Texas A&M Civil Engineering DepartmentTexas A&M Civil Engineering Department

EducationEducationUndergraduate in Civil EngineeringUndergraduate in Civil Engineering

Master’s in Environmental Master’s in Environmental Engineering Engineering

PhD in Environmental Engineering PhD in Environmental Engineering

Family ManFamily ManMarried in 2000 to Paula and now Married in 2000 to Paula and now has three boys( Liam(5), Alden(3), has three boys( Liam(5), Alden(3), and Neilan(1)).and Neilan(1)).

Part of his research is split between the developed world and Part of his research is split between the developed world and the developing world. the developing world.

– Developed –research looking at the fate and movements of Developed –research looking at the fate and movements of contaminants in and through the environment.contaminants in and through the environment.

– Developing –research in the relationship between Developing –research in the relationship between sanitation, potable water, energy, and health.sanitation, potable water, energy, and health.

Other research projects include making Biodiesel and working Other research projects include making Biodiesel and working with NASA to pre-treat urine for wastewater recovery.with NASA to pre-treat urine for wastewater recovery.

Pranav NagarnaikPranav Nagarnaik, PhD Student, Texas A&M, Environmental Engineering , PhD Student, Texas A&M, Environmental Engineering ProgramProgramEducation:Education: M.S. Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, 2007M.S. Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, 2007

B.S. Chemical Engineering, Nagpur University, 2005B.S. Chemical Engineering, Nagpur University, 2005Research Area:Research Area: Environmental sources of pharmaceuticals and EDCs, treatment of Environmental sources of pharmaceuticals and EDCs, treatment of healthcare facility wastewatershealthcare facility wastewaters

Ishan DesaiIshan Desai, M.S. Student, Texas A&M, Environmental Engineering Program, M.S. Student, Texas A&M, Environmental Engineering ProgramEducation:Education: B.Tech. Chemical Engineering National Institute of Technology of Surat, B.Tech. Chemical Engineering National Institute of Technology of Surat,

2007 2007Research Area:Research Area: Nano-metal oxide particle reactivity and surface adsorptivity Nano-metal oxide particle reactivity and surface adsorptivity

Yousuf JamalYousuf Jamal, Fulbright Scholar, M.S. student, Texas A&M, Environmental , Fulbright Scholar, M.S. student, Texas A&M, Environmental Engineering ProgramEngineering ProgramEducation:Education: M.S. E-Business Hamdard University, Karachi, Pakistan, 2001 M.S. E-Business Hamdard University, Karachi, Pakistan, 2001

B.Sc. Chem. Engg, Inst. of Chem. Engg & Tech, University of the B.Sc. Chem. Engg, Inst. of Chem. Engg & Tech, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan, 1998 Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan, 1998

Research Area:Research Area: Biofuels from waste materials Biofuels from waste materials

Pranav’s ResearchPranav’s Research

Environmental sources of pharmaceuticals Environmental sources of pharmaceuticals and EDCs, treatment of healthcare facility and EDCs, treatment of healthcare facility wastewaterswastewaters..

BackgroundBackground

In the US there are approximately 5,750 In the US there are approximately 5,750 hospitals, 16,100 nursing homes, and 39,500 hospitals, 16,100 nursing homes, and 39,500 assisted living, and 1,900 continuing care assisted living, and 1,900 continuing care retirement facilities. retirement facilities.

Question- what is the quantity of pharmacitiles that Question- what is the quantity of pharmacitiles that ends up in wastewater from these facilities?ends up in wastewater from these facilities?

Aims of the ResearchAims of the Research

1) Source 1) Source characterization characterization evaluating healthcare evaluating healthcare facilities as a source facilities as a source of PPCP’s to of PPCP’s to municipal sewer municipal sewer system.system.

2) Investigate 2) Investigate chemical oxidation as chemical oxidation as a pre-treatment a pre-treatment technology to reduce technology to reduce pharmaceuticals in pharmaceuticals in water.water.

Ishan’s ResearchIshan’s Research

Nano-metal oxide particle reactivity Nano-metal oxide particle reactivity and surface adsorptivity.and surface adsorptivity.

BackgroundBackgroundThe impact of all forms of mercury on The impact of all forms of mercury on the human body is well documented. the human body is well documented.

Mercury can result in brain and Mercury can result in brain and kidney damage; can significantly kidney damage; can significantly affect fetal growth during pregnancy; affect fetal growth during pregnancy; cause cardiovascular symptoms. cause cardiovascular symptoms.

The release of mercury into the The release of mercury into the environment are due to environment are due to

1.1. Mobilization of naturally occurring Mobilization of naturally occurring mercurymercury

2.2. Human activities causing release of Human activities causing release of mercury into the environment mainly mercury into the environment mainly by burning fossil fuels.by burning fossil fuels.

3.3. Re-mobilization of deposited mercury Re-mobilization of deposited mercury in soil, sediments, and water. in soil, sediments, and water.

Background Continued…… Background Continued…… Methyl mercury can bioaccumulation within tissues as Methyl mercury can bioaccumulation within tissues as

tropic levels increase resulting in a greater biological tropic levels increase resulting in a greater biological impact.impact.

Why Nano?Why Nano?

Nanotechnology is the engineering and Nanotechnology is the engineering and art of manipulating matter at the art of manipulating matter at the nanoscale (1-100nm).nanoscale (1-100nm).

There is a growing need to create a low There is a growing need to create a low cost, durable, and more effective option cost, durable, and more effective option for the removal of mercury from water.for the removal of mercury from water.

Nanotechnology has the ability to Nanotechnology has the ability to remove mercury from contaminated remove mercury from contaminated water and wastewater quickly and water and wastewater quickly and effectively at a low cost.effectively at a low cost.

Nanotechnology also gives you more Nanotechnology also gives you more surface area for reactivity with mercury.surface area for reactivity with mercury.

Objectives of the ResearchObjectives of the Research

Objective 1) Evaluate commercial Objective 1) Evaluate commercial nanoparticles for their ability to remove nanoparticles for their ability to remove mercury from contaminated water mercury from contaminated water samples.samples.

Objective 2) Create a novel nanoparticle Objective 2) Create a novel nanoparticle to increase mercury removal observed by to increase mercury removal observed by commercial nanoparticles. commercial nanoparticles.

Yousuf’s ResearchYousuf’s Research

Biofuels from waste materialsBiofuels from waste materials

Biofuels are a promising solution to society’s quest Biofuels are a promising solution to society’s quest for sustainable energy.  In the transportation for sustainable energy.  In the transportation

sector, biodiesel is the leading alternative diesel sector, biodiesel is the leading alternative diesel fuel currently in use today.fuel currently in use today.

BackgroundBackground

While the use of biodiesel in the US is on the While the use of biodiesel in the US is on the rise, as in Europe, the current rate of US rise, as in Europe, the current rate of US biodiesel supply does not meet existing US biodiesel supply does not meet existing US diesel demand. The total requirement of diesel demand. The total requirement of transportation diesel fuel in US as of 2007 was transportation diesel fuel in US as of 2007 was 53 billion gallons .53 billion gallons .

Background Continued…..Background Continued…..

Currently, biodiesel production only produces enough Currently, biodiesel production only produces enough biodiesel to supply 0.67% percent of diesel requirement biodiesel to supply 0.67% percent of diesel requirement (358 million gallons). (358 million gallons).

According to the US Energy Information Administration, According to the US Energy Information Administration, by 2030 US biodiesel production is expected to rise up to by 2030 US biodiesel production is expected to rise up to 1.2 billion gallons, but that will make up only 1.5 % of 1.2 billion gallons, but that will make up only 1.5 % of projected US diesel demand consumed in 2030. projected US diesel demand consumed in 2030.

The number of diesel cars in the US is increasing and is The number of diesel cars in the US is increasing and is expected to reach 11% of the domestic market by 2010. expected to reach 11% of the domestic market by 2010.

In order to increase future demand while also increasing In order to increase future demand while also increasing the amount of diesel vehicles, the US market is currently the amount of diesel vehicles, the US market is currently attempting to double its biodiesel production.attempting to double its biodiesel production.

Why Biodiesel?Why Biodiesel?

Current use of edible oils for biodiesel production presents problems Current use of edible oils for biodiesel production presents problems to the sustainability of biodiesel as an alternative fuel because of the to the sustainability of biodiesel as an alternative fuel because of the large environmental burdens of chemical agriculture. large environmental burdens of chemical agriculture.

Therefore, use of alternative feed stocks for biodiesel production is Therefore, use of alternative feed stocks for biodiesel production is required and new methods of production need to be evaluated and required and new methods of production need to be evaluated and initiated. initiated.

Many alternative feed stocks are waste streams of significant Many alternative feed stocks are waste streams of significant volume. volume.

Oils derived from algae fed the green fraction of municipal solid Oils derived from algae fed the green fraction of municipal solid waste or biosolids, in particular, have the volume of realizable oils waste or biosolids, in particular, have the volume of realizable oils

that if turned into biodiesel could approach US demand.that if turned into biodiesel could approach US demand.

Potters for Peace ProjectPotters for Peace Projectand Ron Riveraand Ron Rivera

These ‘pots’ are forms of low-cost water These ‘pots’ are forms of low-cost water treatment that can be used anywhere in the treatment that can be used anywhere in the world to prevent needless deaths and poor world to prevent needless deaths and poor health.health.These pots have proven to be from 98% - 100% These pots have proven to be from 98% - 100% effective at removing bacteria and viruses from effective at removing bacteria and viruses from water.water.

Since 2007, the Texas A&M University Water Project has been linking Since 2007, the Texas A&M University Water Project has been linking individuals in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Culture with individuals in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Culture with those in the Center for Housing and Urban Development and the those in the Center for Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Civil Engineering to produce and distribute ceramic water Department of Civil Engineering to produce and distribute ceramic water filters. filters.

People involvedPeople involved

Oscar MunozOscar Munoz – deputy director of The Colonias Program in the Center of – deputy director of The Colonias Program in the Center of Housing and Urban Devoplment at Texas A&M.Housing and Urban Devoplment at Texas A&M.

Dr. Stephen CarpenterDr. Stephen Carpenter – associate professor of Art Education and Visual – associate professor of Art Education and Visual Culture at Texas A&MCulture at Texas A&M

Dr. Bryan BoulangerDr. Bryan Boulanger – assistant professor in the Department of Civil – assistant professor in the Department of Civil Engineering as Texas A&M.Engineering as Texas A&M.

Texas A&M studentsTexas A&M students

clean water for txclean water for tx

Why the Colonias?Why the Colonias?There are approximately There are approximately 2,300 communities along 2,300 communities along the 1,434-mile Texas the 1,434-mile Texas border in 14 counties border in 14 counties contiguous to the Rio contiguous to the Rio Grande.” In the colonias, Grande.” In the colonias, more than half a million more than half a million people live without people live without running water in their running water in their homes or proper sewage. homes or proper sewage.

More Work to be DoneMore Work to be DoneEven though the current Even though the current

ceramic filters do remove ceramic filters do remove up to 98% of bacteria and up to 98% of bacteria and viruses it does not remove viruses it does not remove harmful metals from harmful metals from drinking water such are drinking water such are arsenic and mercury. arsenic and mercury.

Therefore we are working to Therefore we are working to create a filter at the create a filter at the bottom of the bucket that bottom of the bucket that can remove these metals.can remove these metals.

NASA ResearchNASA ResearchUrine Pretreatment for Wastewater Urine Pretreatment for Wastewater

RecoveryRecovery

ResearchResearch

Jullianna Camacho and Texas A&M Jullianna Camacho and Texas A&M undergraduatesundergraduates

Protect hardware and plumbing system Protect hardware and plumbing system from clogging with solid precipitation and from clogging with solid precipitation and biofilm formation. biofilm formation.

Research Continued……Research Continued……

The current pretreatment method utilizes The current pretreatment method utilizes Oxone which is toxic and therefore not Oxone which is toxic and therefore not good for astronauts or reclamation system.good for astronauts or reclamation system.

Objective: to identify a non-toxic Objective: to identify a non-toxic pretreatment alternative that is compatible pretreatment alternative that is compatible with a distillation based water reclamation with a distillation based water reclamation system.system.

Objective: Determine % water recovery at Objective: Determine % water recovery at proposed operating conditionsproposed operating conditions

More work to be doneMore work to be done

Disinfection of water: Disinfection of water: How do we disinfect How do we disinfect water in space. water in space.

Research is being done Research is being done with UV light because it with UV light because it rearranges DNArearranges DNA

SummarySummary

The research presented above will help The research presented above will help make the world a better place and even make the world a better place and even help man someday be able to live in help man someday be able to live in space.space.

Classroom IdeasClassroom Ideas

Have students build Have students build their own water their own water treatment system.treatment system.Have them explore the Have them explore the chemistry taking place chemistry taking place at every level.at every level.Relate real-world Relate real-world applications and why applications and why water treatment water treatment systems are so systems are so important.important.

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgementsThanks to Dr. Boulanger and his studentsThanks to Dr. Boulanger and his students

Pravan, Ishan, Yousuf, and Jullianna for Pravan, Ishan, Yousuf, and Jullianna for all they are doing and passing on the all they are doing and passing on the knowledge.knowledge.

Texas A&M University E3 program for this Texas A&M University E3 program for this awesome opportunity.awesome opportunity.

National Science Foundation for their National Science Foundation for their financial support.financial support.