Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Many researchers and engineers claim that nanotechnologies offer more affordable,
effective, eficient, and durable ways of alleviating water problems, i.e., removing water
contaminants. Speciically, because using nanoparticles for water treatment will allow
methods that are less polluting than traditional methods and require less labor, capital,
land, and energy (Meridian Institute Background Paper, 2007).
According to a BCC Research Report (2010), the market for nanostructured products used
in water treatment is worth an estimated $1.4 billion in 2010 and growing at a compound
annual growth rate of 9.7% during the next 5 years. Currently, world-leading countries
such as the United States, China, Germany, and Japan are the primary locations for nano-
technology development. However, researchers in both developed and emerging econo-
mies are active in nanotech R&D (BCC Research Report, 2010). The main way in which
nanotechnology is expected to alleviate water problems is by solving technical challenges
related to removing contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, nitrates, phos-
phates, and salt. Table 18.6 summarizes the market size for nanotechnology products used
in the water and wastewater treatment industry.
Emerging nanotechnologies have been introduced to water and wastewater and can
be categorized into three groups, including (i) nanostructures (ilters and catalysts), (ii) nano-
particles, and (iii) nanodetectors/sensors.
Nanostructures contain membranes with nanopore size structure, porous materials, i.e.,
catalysts, ilters with nanomaterial ingredients, and nanocomposites. The nanostructure
iltration systems have no EHS issue and can be used safely in water treatment. In fact,
the nanoilters allow water to pass through the membrane and pollutants such as bacte-
ria, viruses, salt, heavy metals, and organic pesticides remain and are separated from the
treated water. The nanocatalysts have large surface area and can be used in wastewater
cleanup. The pollutants adsorbed into the catalyst body (bed) and the cleansed water can
be produced. Then, the catalyst can be washed and cleaned up from the pollutants.
Nanoparticles are used with the form of dry powders or nanocolloids for water and
wastewater treatment. Then, these nanoparticulates can be left in the environment or gath-
ered via a certain technique, e.g., collecting nano-iron oxide via a magnetic ield.
Nanodetectors and nanosensors can be used to characterize pollutants in water with a
high level of precision. In fact, nanodetectors bring a lot of achievements, including high
precision, lower cost for detection process, and fast characterization process.
In Table 18.7, a qualitative comparison for different speciications of various nanotech-
nologies is presented for water and wastewater applications. For instance, in the case of
nanoparticles, the impact level is high, which means they can be very effective for solv-
ing water pollution; however, the impact time is long, which is mainly due to the EHS
concerns. Actually, the EHS issue is a drawback for their promotion. In general, acquiring
the technology of nanoparticle production is a modest challenge and can be obtained by
developing countries.
TABLE 18.6
Global Market for Nanotechnology Products Used in Water Treatment ($ Million)
Compound Annual
Growth Rate, %
2000
2005
2009
2010
2015
Established products
626
863
1216
1356
2110
9.2
Emerging products
0
20
37
45
112
20.0
Total
626
883
1253
1401
2222
9.7
Source:
BCC Research Report, Nanotechnology in water treatment, 2010. Available at http://www.bccresearch.com.
