A method for treating an MTBE-contaminated aqueous solution includes forming an adsorbent by treating fly ash with nitric acid and then doping the resultant acid-treated fly ash particles with AgNO3 and calcining. The adsorbent is used to contact an MTBE-contaminated aqueous solution to adsorb the MTBE and the adsorbent and to form a purified aqueous phase which is then separated from the adsorbent.

Methods and compositions for the adsorptive removal of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) from contaminated water sources and systems. The compositions contain carbon fly ash doped with silver nanoparticles at specific mass ratios. Methods of preparing and characterizing the adsorbents are also provided.

Methods and compositions for the adsorptive removal of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) from contaminated water sources and systems. The compositions contain carbon fly ash doped with silver nanoparticles at specific mass ratios. Methods of preparing and characterizing the adsorbents are also provided.

In one aspect, separation media are described herein operable for removing one or more water contaminants, including NOM, fluorinated chemicals, and/or derivatives thereof. Briefly, a separation medium comprises a silica-containing granular support; and an oligomeric stationary phase forming a film on individual grains of the granular support. In some embodiments, the oligomeric stationary phase comprises oligomeric chains covalently bound to the individual grains.

Methods and compositions for the adsorptive removal of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) from contaminated water sources and systems. The compositions contain carbon fly ash doped with silver nanoparticles at specific mass ratios. Methods of preparing and characterizing the adsorbents are also provided.

Methods and compositions for the adsorptive removal of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) from contaminated water sources and systems. The compositions contain carbon fly ash doped with silver nanoparticles at specific mass ratios. Methods of preparing and characterizing the adsorbents are also provided.

Highly mesoporous activated carbon products are disclosed with mesoporosities characterized by mesopore volumes of 0.7 to 1.0 cubic centimeters per gram or greater. Also disclosed are activated carbon products characterized by a Molasses Number of about 500 to 1000 or greater. Also disclosed are activated carbon products characterized by a Tannin Value of about 100 to 35 or less. The activated carbon products may be further characterized by total pore volumes of at least 0.85 cubic centimeters per gram and BET surface areas of at least about 800 square meters per gram. The activated carbon product may be derived from a renewable feedstock.

A solar-thermal vapor-permeation membrane is provided. The solar-thermal vapor-permeation membrane includes a thermally conductive, microporous support layer having a feed surface, and an active separation layer adjacent the feed surface of the support layer. The support layer is capable of absorbing solar-thermal radiation. Utilization of solar energy for a membrane separation process replaces fossil-fuel derived energy with renewable energy as the driving force and does not involve the generation of undesirable greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, the solar-thermal vapor-permeation process using the provided membrane is cost effective, energy efficient, and environmentally friendly.

An improved method for removing contaminants, such as 1,4 dioxane, from ground water using an advance oxidation process. The improved method uses a controlled injection of monochloramine into the effluent in an amount that suppresses formation of bromates but does not interfere with the oxidative destruction of 1,4 Dioxane destruction. Removing iron from the effluent with a sand filter further improves the removal of bromates from the treated water.

A process for removing oil and other organics especially lipids from process steams comprising lipids, brown grease, and water is disclosed and a process to remove metals and organics from leachate from landfills and other waste sites that generate contaminated water streams. The process involves adjusting pH and using electrical fields generated by a device comprising electrodes to induce gas bubbles. The gas bubbles facilitate the movement of lipids toward the surface of the solution where they may be skimmed off and recovered.