(672d) Generating Perchlorate and N-Nitrosodimethylamine Isotherms Using Pecan Shell Activated Carbons

2015 AIChE Annual Meeting, Salt
Lake City, UT

Session: 09C01 Treatment of Emerging/Hazardous Contaminants

Generating
Perchlorate and N-Nitrosodimethylamine Isotherms
Using Pecan Shell Activated Carbons

Jere Freeh, Dave Amidei, David Rockstraw, Catherine E. Brewer

Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering NMSU

The evaluation of low level perchlorate contamination and N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in water has become a recent
concern for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Many states including New
Mexico and California have reported perchlorate and NDMA contamination in
drinking water. Current research suggests that 4-18 parts per billion of
perchlorate is an acceptable exposure level. Activated carbon created from
pecan shell waste may provide a new alternative for the treatment of
contaminated water. The aim of this study is to generate isotherms using commercial
activated carbons as well as carbons generated from locally-sourced pecan
shells and pecan orchard waste. Pecan waste accounts for roughly 40 million
pounds of waste in Mesilla Valley of New Mexico alone, making it a viable
source for creating activated carbon. The anticipated findings from this
research include the adsorptive capacity of pecan waste carbon for perchlorate
and NDMA in comparison to commercially-available carbons.