AMS

The potential of ferrate, specifically Ferrate(VI), a supercharged form of iron with a +6 oxidation state, as an advanced oxidant for water and wastewater treatment is widely documented. While the use of ferrates has been limited due to synthesis difficulties and inherent instability, AMS has developed a novel system for on-site production of Ferrate(VI) to address this limitation. Examining the history of oxidation in water treatment and the role of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) in oxidizing complex organic constituents, it is evident that Ferrate(VI) can be a strong oxidant with a higher oxidation potential than ozone and chlorine. Despite challenges in treating stubborn organics and the need for efficient and economical AOPs, ongoing study and consideration for Ferrate as an AOP option will reshape the paradigm of advanced oxidation for water and wastewater treatment.

To comply with the Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (DBPR), the Benicia Water Treatment Plant (WTP) has implemented best management practices and increased the frequency of trihalomethane (THM) monitoring. The Benicia WTP installed an online THM analyzer, THM-100™, from AMS to enhance THM management. The integration of the online THM analyzer has been crucial in managing THM levels, preventing regulatory breaches, and delivering safe drinking water to the City of Benicia.

The City of Paso Robles, California, used an online water quality instrument to characterize and monitor low levels of bromodichloromethane (BDCM) and dibromochloromethane (DBCM) in its treated wastewater for groundwater recharge (GWR) use. The high frequency of reliable and accurate trihalomethane (THM) data provided by the online THM instrument proved essential to the City’s disinfection by-product (DBP) strategy to obtain regulatory compliance with NPDES permit levels.

To help manage disinfection by-products (DBPs), the City of Santa Cruz Water Department (SCWD) used an online trihalomethane (THM) analyzer to obtain real-time and reliable data on THM and THM Formation Potential (THM-FP) levels within the Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant and distribution network. The THM-100 online THM analyzer aided the SCWD in daily operations and management of feasibility studies to reduce distribution system THM levels.

A SafeGuard™ H2O demonstration system with a capacity of 3 gpm (150 mL/minute) was installed onsite for testing at the City of Banning’s Facility Well C2 from June-September 2022. The scope of this demonstration focused on the safe, reliable reduction of Cr6 to Cr3 using SafeGuard H2O electrogenerated stannous reagent.  The demonstration validated the effectiveness of the SafeGuard H2O technology to treat Cr6 and Cr(T) below 10 ppb, granting it conditional acceptance from the California SWRCB Division of Drinking Water for use of the technology by public drinking water systems to treat Cr6 contamination.

The SafeGuard™ H2O arsenic removal treatment system has been evaluated by the City of Alamosa to replace the use of bulk ferric chloride. The evaluation was completed via bench-scale testing and subsequent pilot demonstration; showing the electrogenerated ferrous reagent to achieve reliable arsenic removal below 5 ppb with a ferrous dose of 6.5-8 mg/L. The validation of SafeGuard™ H2O technology to generate a ferrous reagent in-situ via an electrolytic process shows great promise for utilities looking to remove arsenic to low levels and eliminate reliance on hazardous bulk chemicals.

California American Water’s Isleton Water System underwent an evaluation of SafeGuard™ H2O, an intelligent arsenic remediation system manufactured by AMS. This innovative technology generates a ferrous ion reagent in-situ via an electrolytic process to address arsenic contamination. The objective of the project was to demonstrate the ability of the electrogenerated ferrous reagent produced on demand by the SafeGuard H2O system to remove arsenic from unchlorinated well water reliably and effectively. The SafeGuard H2O system consistently treated arsenic below 10 ppb and the technology’s modular design can be easily integrated with the facility’s existing coagulation/filtration system; replacing the use of liquid ferric chloride and providing the facility with operational and capital savings.

A SafeGuard™ H2O intelligent Cr(VI) remediation system demonstration unit with a treatment capacity of 10 gpm was installed with the City of Los Banos, California to evaluate the performance of the technology to treat Cr(VI) to non-detect levels (under 1 ppb) in unchlorinated well water.  SafeGuard H2O is an innovative technology based on a proprietary approach that generates on demand a stannous ion reagent in-situ via an electrolytic process. The demonstration with Los Banos confirmed the technology’s efficacy and third-party validation of the SafeGuard H2O system as a cost-effective alternative to traditional Cr(VI) treatment systems. Results are detailed.

Tin has been an abundant source of helpful chemistry throughout history and continues to be so today. From the dawning of the bronze age to its affordable use in water treatment, the properties of tin have lent themselves to being effectively utilized for modern applications. This report highlights tin’s pivotal role in human innovation. It discusses a novel method that introduces tin as stannous ions for water treatment to provide a safer and more efficient option when green practices are in desperate need and in high demand.

TRUMPF, a manufacturer of laser diodes made from Gallium Arsenide substrates (GaAs) wafers, implemented a new wafer thinning process in 2019. With large volumes of process wastewater and high treatment costs, TRUMPF needed a practical, cost-effective wafer-thinning wastewater treatment process that would also allow them to meet local regulatory discharge requirements. TRUMPF undertook a treatment approach that included the installation of the MetalGuard™ Arsenic online arsenic analyzer to continuously measure influent and effluent arsenic levels in real-time, providing TRUMPF with accurate and reliable results in less than 30 minutes to measure the performance of its IEX system and ensure regulatory compliance. The wastewater treatment approach undertaken by TRUMPF resulted in process improvements, providing an estimated annual cost savings of more than $150K with an ROI of less than one year.