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Research Topics

Green Chemistry & Engineering

Pollution prevention alternatives for the chemical process industry are being investigated through in-house research projects. Improvements to oxidation chemistry using improved and novel catalysts and photooxidation processes has been our original area of interest. In addition, alternative solvents such as water, carbon dioxide and ionic liquids are being explored for improved synthesis efficiency and environmental benefits. Alternative energy sources for chemical synthesis such as microwave, solar and sonication are also the subjects of investigation. Chemists and chemical engineering staff work closely to make early determinations as to potential feasibility of scaled-up processes.
Metals Recovery and Recycle

The general objective of this program is to address pollution risk from metals by advancing the understanding of the chemistry and the engineering of hybrid separations based on combinations of sorption, electric field, and membrane technologies .Through our projects we hope to: identify new and novel pollution prevention applications, provide tools and information to evaluate the performance of hybrid unit operations, and to increase end-user confidence in these technologies through small-scale demonstrations.
Pervaporation

Membranes for Pervaporation: Bench and pilot-scale demonstration of solvent and other organics recovery from liquid streams is the objective of this in-house research program. Elucidation of fundamental variables affecting the process as well as the practical application of the technology in industrial P2 setting are goals. Recovery of alcohols is an active area of pursuit and it is expected that improvements in pervaporation technology for this purpose will have positive implications for its use in the bioprocessing industry. Predictive software to assist potential users in identifying opportunities for using the technology has also been developed using EPA and other pervaporation databases.
Watersheds Environmental & Impact Analysis

Applying the concepts of life cycle analysis and pollution prevention to concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO's) in order to mitigate their negative environmental impacts on watersheds.

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