EREF has awarded HSU $120,000 for its municipal landfill leachate studies. The yearlong research grant was developed and proposed by HSU Environmental Resources Engineering professor Andrea Achilli.
The research, conducted by Achilli, ERE graduate student Rebecca Ransom, and undergraduate Laurel Smith, will examine emerging membrane-based technologies with the potential to improve treatment efficiency and minimize concentrate disposal issues. One approach that will be examined is using a series of membrane systems to treat landfill leachate.
“The process draws water from the leachate across the membranes, producing vapor,” Achilli said. “The application would dramatically reduce the volume of waste that has to be trucked out of cities to remote landfills.”
One of the research goals is development of a system that minimizes cost, yet is operationally reliable and environmentally compliant.
“Landfills produce large amounts of methane gas, which could be used as energy for the water-heating component of the process,” Achilli said. “Essentially, the process would operate free of cost.”
The EREF annually funds research grants selected by a body of volunteers consisting of technical experts in industry, academia, and consulting.