ARGONNE, IL -- Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory have identified a new technique for cleansing contaminated water and potentially purifying hydrogen for use in fuel cells, thanks to the discovery of a innovative type of porous material.

Argonne materials scientists Peter Chupas and Mercouri Kanatzidis, along with colleagues at Northwestern and Michigan State universities, created and characterized porous semiconducting aerogels at Argonne's Advanced Photon Source (APS). The researchers then submerged a fraction of a gram of the aerogel in a solution of mercury-contaminated water and found that the gel removed more than 99.99 percent of the heavy metal. The researchers believe that these gels can be used not only for this kind of environmental cleanup but also to remove impurities from hydrogen gas that could damage the catalysts in potential hydrogen fuel cells.

"When people talk about the hydrogen economy, one of the big questions they're asking is ‘Can you make hydrogen pure enough that it doesn't poison the catalyst?'" Chupas said. "While there's been a big push for hydrogen storage and a big push to make fuel cells, there has not been nearly as big a push to find out where the clean hydrogen to feed all that will come from."

The aerogels, which are fashioned from chalcogenides — molecules centered on the elements found directly under oxygen in the periodic table — are expected to be able to separate out the impurities from hydrogen gas much as they did the mercury from the water: by acting as a kind of sieve or selectively permeable membrane. The unique chemical and physical structure of the gels will allow researchers to "tune" their pore sizes or composition in order to separate particular poisons from the hydrogen stream.

"You can put in elements that bind the poisons that are in the stream or ones that bind the hydrogen so you let everything else fall through," Chupas said. For example, gels made with open platinum sites would extract carbon monoxide, a common catalyst poison, he explained.

The research team had not intended to create the aerogels, but their discovery proved fortunate, said Kanatzidis. Originally, the researchers had used surfactants to produce porous semiconducting powders instead of gels. When one of the researchers ran the synthesis reaction without the surfactant, he noticed that gels would form time after time. "When we saw that these chalcogenides would make a gel, we were amazed," said Kanatzidis. "We turned the flask upside down and nothing flowed."

Generally, such reactions produce only uninteresting precipitates at the bottom of the flask, he said, so that in this case, "we knew we had something special."

Kanatzidis and his co-workers recognized that aerogels offered one remarkable advantage over powders: because the material maintained its cohesion, it possessed an enormous surface area. One cubic centimeter of the aerogel could have a surface area as large as a football field, according to Kanatzidis. The bigger the surface area of the material, the more efficiently it can bind other molecules, he said.

Previous experiments into molecular filtration had used oxides rather than chalcogenides as their chemical constituents. While oxides tend to be insulators, most chalcogenides are semiconductors, enabling the study of their electrical and optical characteristics. Kanatzidis hopes to examine the photocatalytic properties of these new gels in an effort to determine whether they can assist in the production, and not merely the filtration, of hydrogen.

Unlike periodic materials, which possess a consistent long-range structure, the gels formed by the Northwestern and Argonne researchers are highly disordered. As a result, conventional crystallographic techniques would not have effectively revealed the structure and behavior of the gels. The high-energy X-rays produced by the APS, however, allowed the scientists to take accurate readings of the atomic distances within these disorganized materials. "This is where the APS really excels. It's the only place that has a dedicated facility for doing these kinds of measurements, and it allows you to wash away a lot of old assumptions about what kinds of materials you can and cannot look at," Chupas said.

The paper, entitled "Porous semiconducting gels and aerogels from chalcogenide clusters," appears in the July 27 issue of Science.  The initial research into porous semiconducting surfactants was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation. Use of the APS was supported by DOE, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences.

With employees from more than 60 nations, Argonne National Laboratory brings the world's brightest scientists and engineers together to find exciting and creative new solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology.

Source: http://www.anl.gov/

World Congress on Ozone and UV Technologies

Hollywood, CA -- You are invited to an historic event that takes place August 27-29, 2007. The International Ozone Association and International Ultraviolet Association are holding a Joint World Technical Congress. For the first time ever, the benefits and synergies of Ozone and Ultraviolet (UV) light will be discussed and evaluated at a single conference!

Ozone and Ultraviolet technologies are being added to public and private drinking water and wastewater treatment plants to meet ever tightening global regulations to protect public health and the environment. Both technologies bring unique benefits independently or in combined operation, to planning & operations professionals and the public.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) is completing an $850 million expansion including the addition of ozone at their 5 drinking water treatment plants. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) added ozone to their “multi-barrier” approach to drinking water treatment 20 years ago and continues to enjoy multiple operational and performance benefits including:

-Bacteria, Virus and Parasite Disinfection
-Taste and Odor improvement
-Reduced chemical coagulant usage and solids handling
-Reduction or elimination of powered activated carbon (PAC)
-Reduction in chlorinated disinfection byproducts (THM/THAAs)

There are many water treatment plants utilizing Ozone and UV processes operating in the western United States. In addition to the Joint World Congress technical program, there will be special “Ozone and UV Operations Forums & Workshops” on 29 and 30 August 2007.

Ozone and UV are also used by many industrial applications including the microelectronics, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals & cosmetics, agriculture, food processing, beverage, bottled water and laundry industries. Additionally, Ozone and UV are used in commercial applications such as decorative water features, zoos & aquariums, air, pools & spa treatment. Yes, Shamu and the other creatures you see at Sea World and other aquariums around the world are protected by the use of ozone and UV technology!

This International Congress will provide technical papers/presentations on global regulations, applications, current research, systems design and operations training.

Ozone, an environmentally friendly oxidizing biocide and UV, a non-chemical treatment process can be used in place of many hazardous chemicals with defined performance, product quality and operational benefits and return on investment.

For more information contact:
IOA - IUVA World Congress 2007
Telephone: (480) 529-3787
Email: info@io3a.org
Web site: http://www.ioa-iuva-wchollywood.org/

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Deputy Director of Public Works - Modesto, CA

The City of Modesto is a community proud of its diversity, great traditions and educational opportunities. With a population exceeding 207,000, Modesto is the largest city in Stanislaus County and the county seat.

The City is seeking a dynamic and proven leader for the Deputy Director of Public Works (DDPW). With a $94 million budget and just under 400 employees, the Public Works Department is an exciting place to work with many major capital programs planned to meet future and present needs of the Modesto community.

The DDPW will be responsible for overseeing the Wastewater Collections and Treatment Division, including wastewater treatment, collections, environmental services, storm water collections, laboratory services and the SCADA system. The ideal candidate will enjoy a fast-paced environment and have the ability to multi-task, prioritize, and wear a variety of hats.

The incumbent must be a creative problem solver who is able to identify key issues in complex situations, evaluate options, and initiate strategies for resolution. An accessible, responsive, and enthusiastic manager with a style that emphasizes teamwork, participation, communication, collaboration, accountability, and team development is desired. Someone who is politically astute but apolitical will be valued.

Competitive candidates will be able to demonstrate excellent public relations skills and have experience in working with unions. A Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Civil Engineering, Business Administration or a related field is required. In addition, a Grade IV Wastewater certification is required.

The salary range for the Deputy Director of Public Works is $99,030-$120,659. The City also offers an attractive benefits package.

If you are interested in this outstanding opportunity, please submit your resume to:
Jennifer Nitrio-Saleem
Bob Murray and Associates
apply@bobmurrayassoc.com

Filing Deadline: September 28th, 2007.  A detailed brochure is available. Please call (916) 784-9080.

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Small-Scale Cogeneration Handbook
Second Edition
by Bernard F. Kolanowski
Hardback, 224 pages, 2003

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Wastewater Microbiology for Operators
by Tony Glymph
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Wastewater Engineering:
Treatment & Reuse
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