Membrane supported nanocatalysts as treatment options for polluted water and wastewater. Total mineralisation and degradation of organic compounds using membrane supported nanocatalysts which have high degradation rates towards selected compounds are developed and fabricated in-house.
They are applied in the degradation and mineralisation of organic pollutants, particularily endocrine disruptors, from water and wastewater. The treatment of wastewater and polluted discharges at source will assist water utilities in managing their treatment processes better and minimising treatment system failure. Potentially endocrine disrupting compounds are hard to remove by conventional treatment methods leading to persistent levels in treated water and wastewater which are best dealt with at source. Our nanocatalyst based systems aims to totally degrade and mineralise common organic pollutants at source or at point of use.
Nanostructured polymeric absorbents for the capture of organics and heavy metals. Adsorption modules with low pressure drops for fast removal of organics and heavy metals.
Applied in the effective removal of pathogens from potable water. Our goals are to provide cheap, nanotechnology based systems that will require minimal technology training and energy input making them suitable for rural and poor communities. This will alleviate and hopefully reduce the frequency of epidemic outbreaks caused by waterborne pathogenic organisms like cholera.
Nanostructured polymeric filtration membranes for potable water production. Comprising flat sheet and capillary ultrafiltration membranes, fabricated in-house, exhibit anti-fouling properties and enhanced producti-vity, imparted through chemical grafting and the incorporation of nano-materials. Imparting hydrophilicity to old and newly formulated polymeric membranes as a way of minimising fouling and increasing membrane lifespan is generally accepted as the best method.
Applied in the removal of heavy metals from water. Toxic heavy metal based pollution has reached epidemic proportions in our country due to mining activities and industries that illegally discharge wastewater into water systems due to the perceived cost of treatment to meet regulatory discharge levels. Our technology is geared towards the removal of selected heavy metals from water at low environmental impact.
Electrospun nanofibers, fabricated through electrospinning, has potential application as water filters. Various polymers, polymer blends and nanocomposite fibres are produced, with a variety of nanomaterials embedded in the polymer nanofibers to explore antimicrobial and other unique fibre properties.
