Scott A. Waisner

Development of a Treatment Process for Electrodialysis Reversal Concentrate with Intermediate Softening and Secondary Reverse Osmosis to Approach 98-Percent Water Recovery

AbstractThe United States Army is constructing a new water-treatment facility for Fort Irwin/National Training Center in the Mojave Desert region of southern California to address existing regulatory requirements and to account for anticipated expansion at the installation. The proposed treatment, electrodialysis reversal (EDR), is anticipated to recover 92% of the influent water. The ultimate goal was to achieve 99% recovery, which required additional recovery of the EDR concentrate. This paper describes laboratory testing of conventional water-treatment methods to achieve water recovery beyond standard practice. The effectiveness of lime softening followed by secondary reverse osmosis (RO) was evaluated to treat the concentrate stream and recover additional water to approach 98%. Partial lime softening at dosages of 500−2,000  mg/L of hydrated lime was capable of removing hardness from simulated EDR concentrate. Adding magnesium chloride to the lime softening step increased silica removal, bringing SiO2...

The Army Net Zero Waste Program and Its Implications for Energy

Net Zero Waste is one of three Net Zero Goals (the other two being energy and water) that the U.S. Army has implemented for various test installations that it operates. The Net Zero Waste program focuses on diversion of the wastes, which means that it seeks to reduce wastes first, then focuses on finding useful repurposing and recycling of materials currently managed as wastes. The ultimate goal of the Net Zero Waste program is to achieve a complete elimination of wastes managed by landfilling, although it is more likely that the end result will have a small amount that will have to be managed in this manner. This contrasts with current practice, which largely promotes landfilling wastes. Equations were derived and presented that allow for the calculation of net energy savings (or possible losses in some cases) by applying the Net Zero hierarchy to wastes currently managed by landfilling. Reviewing the range of wastes commonly found in municipal wastes indicates that most can be repurposed, reused, recycled or composted in some form or another. Another management option would focus on promoting waste to energy, and these are discussed in the document. A waste to energy focus maybe a very effective approach for forward operating bases, which are temporary bases used by the Army (and other services) for expeditionary operations.

Evaluation of sludge pump clogging issue for an industrial waste pretreatment plant in the Ceres Industrial Park, Vicksburg, MS

Dr. Victor F. Medina conducted a site visit on 12 June 2017 for the evaluation of a sludge pump clogging issue at an industrial waste pretreatment plant in the Ceres Industrial Park, Vicksburg, MS. Escorted by Mr. Pablo Diaz of the Port of Vicksburg, the operating issue was that the sludge pump routinely clogs. The sludge material had accumulated around the ball that serves as the check valve, preventing its operation. The ERDC team offered recommendations based on the site visit to resolve the pump clogging issue. DISCLAIMER: The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, publication, or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products. All product names and trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners. The findings of this report are not to be construed as an official Department of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents. DESTROY THIS REPORT WHEN NO LONGER NEEDED. DO NOT RETURN IT TO THE ORIGINATOR.

Fabrication, Characterization, and Testing of Graphene Oxide and Hydrophilic Polymer Graphene Oxide Composite Membranes in a Dead-End Flow System

AbstractGraphene oxide (GO) has emerged as a promising material for next-generation water treatment membranes. In this study, three types of GO membranes were produced and tested. Both GO and graph...

Wastewater treatment for deployed military forces and disaster response

Forward operating bases (FOBs) are transitory facilities used by the various armed forces of the Uni…