CTS - 9624724 James Farrell University of Arizona ABSTRACT The project deals with adsorption and transport phenomena in water-saturated microporous materials. The mechanisms controlling the release of hydrophobic contaminants from aquifer sediments will be investigated using both model solids and acquifer sediments. The research will focus on exploring the potential for capillary phase separation (CPS) of a hydrophobic solute within previously water-filled pores of molecular dimensions. The solute-filled micropores may contribute to both adsorption/desorption hysteresis and the desorption resistant fraction. Synthetic zeolites will be used as model sorbents to determine the effects of surface type, pore size, solute hydrophobicity and solute concentration. Temperature programmed desorption experiments and NMR measurements are planned. The research may lead to improved techniques for catalytic destruction of chemical pollutants from manufacturing processes and recovery of organic compounds from aqueous and high humidity vapor streams. The educational plan includes both chemical and environmental engineering students. It focuses on the use of case studies, relevant software packages and research experience for undergraduates.
