Investigation of feasibility and potential mechanisms for the bioregeneration of perchlorate laden gel-type anion exchange resin

Author

Arjun Krishna Venkatesan, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow

Award Date

5-2009

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

First Committee Member

Jacimaria Batista, Chair

Second Committee Member

Sajjad Ahmad

Third Committee Member

Thomas Piechota

Graduate Faculty Representative

Eduardo Robleto

Number of Pages

192

Abstract

The feasibility and potential mechanisms for the bioregeneration of perchlorate laden gel-type anion exchange resin were investigated in this study. Bioregeneration is a sustainable process when compared to one time use of resin and disposal by incineration. Batch and bench-scale bioregeneration experiments were performed to evaluate the feasibility of the process and to gain insight into potential mechanisms that control gel-type resin bioregeneration. The results of the bioregeneration tests suggested that the initial phase of the bioregeneration process is controlled by kinetics, while the later phase is controlled by diffusion. Higher perchlorate load in the resin had a positive effect on perchlorate degradation rates, while varying microbial concentration did not have a significant effect on perchlorate degradation in gel-type resin. The presence of nitrate suppressed perchlorate degradation initially, but once all nitrate was denitrified, perchlorate degradation took place. Feasibility study showed that direct bioregeneration of gel-type resin was effective in a fluidized-bed reactor, and the resin could be reused and repeatedly regenerated with this method.

Keywords

Environmental engineering; Groundwater--Purification--Perchlorate removal; Hazardous waste site remediation; Ion exchange resins

Disciplines

Civil and Environmental Engineering | Environmental Engineering

File Format

pdf

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Comments

Signatures have been redacted for privacy and security measures.

Repository Citation

Venkatesan, Arjun Krishna, "Investigation of feasibility and potential mechanisms for the bioregeneration of perchlorate laden gel-type anion exchange resin" (2009). UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones. 986.
http://dx.doi.org/10.34917/2327174

Rights

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