Media contact: Jan McCoy Hutchinson
Phone: (520) 748-4458
Email: [email protected]
Research Corporation Technologies
101 N. Wilmot Road, Suite 600
Tucson, AZ 85711-3365
Terrapure Systems Developing On-Site Process to Decontaminate Water and Air Containing TCE, Other Hazardous Chemicals
Research Corporation Technologies and Heritage Partners in Tucson, Ariz., have formed Terrapure Systems L.L.C. to develop an innovative process for cleaning contaminated ground water and industrial effluents without the need for off-site disposal of hazardous wastes. The newly formed company is furthering development of the palladized iron remediation technology (PIRT) invented by Drs. Quintus Fernando and Rosy Muftikian at the University of Arizona (UA) in Tucson, and Nic Korte at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Grand Junction, Colo. The process rapidly dechlorinates halogenated organic compounds (HOCs), which are contaminants found in ground water, potable water and industrial effluents. Laboratory experiments at the UA and the ORNL have shown the reliability of the dechlorination process using a variety of raw materials and test conditions.
Palladium appears to play several roles in the mechanism of palladized iron dechlorination. It accelerates the reaction of iron with water to form hydrogen, which condenses and adheres to the surface of the palladium. When an HOC contacts the bimetallic catalyst, the adsorbed hydrogen reduces the halogen to a halide and the halogenated organic to an unhalogenated organic. Iron from the catalyst is oxidized in the process.
"Our job is to optimize the catalyst composition and define equipment specifications that will allow cost-effective, commercial application of the technology," said Terrapure President Donald G. Hager. "We will do this with Tucson laboratory personnel and the help of strategic industrial partners who will add technical and manufacturing skills."
HOCs include trichloroethylene (TCE), a well-publicized contaminant in ground water, and trihalomethanes, which form by chlorine disinfection of water, the standard practice at potable water treatment plants. HOCs also include toxic polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, pentachlorophenols or PCPs, and many chemicals commonly employed in manufacturing. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers HOCs hazardous, carcinogenic or both.
PIRT offers on-site decontamination of HOCs. Some current processes such as adsorption on granular activated carbon accumulate HOCs on-site, requiring frequent off-site disposal and ultimate destruction of the contaminants. Other treatment processes, such as air stripping, simply transfer the contaminants from water to the surrounding air.
"The long-term legal liability for future environmental or personal damages associated with off-site disposal remains with the original generator of the contaminants," Hager said. "The on-site contaminant destruction offered by Terrapure's PIRT will assure immediate interest from industry, environmental engineers and regulatory officials."
Hager has extensive experience with research and the commercial development of environmental systems. His background includes executive direction of the manufacturing, marketing, technical and financial operations of several companies offering chemicals, equipment and services throughout Europe and the United States.
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For additional information contact Terrapure at [email protected] or (520) 299-2463 fax.
Research Corporation Technologies is an independent technology management company that commercializes inventions from universities and research institutions throughout North America.
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