9714988 Cooper This is an award to support exploratory research on the potential use of ionizing radiation produced by a beam of energized electrons from an electron accelerator to control and possibly eliminate production of nuisance odors from conduct of sludge management processes at wastewater treatment plants. The investigator will conduct the research using an electron beam research unit at the Miami Wastewater Treatment Plant on Virginia Key. The exploratory work will involve subjecting water solutions of several of classes of chemical compounds identified as responsible for nuisance odors produced during treatment of sludges to radiation produced by a 1.5 Million Electron Volt accelerator. Compounds to be investigated include organic and inorganic sulfides, mercaptans and terpenes. The proposal leading to this award was submitted and under Special Guidelines for Small Grants for Exploratory Research (SGER) in NSF 95-27, Grant Proposal Guide. This research was suggested at the Key West workshop in February of 1997 conducted under NSF 95-25059 that addressed potential additional uses of ionizing radiation produced by a beam of energized electrons as a step toward full utilization of this environmental technology in treatment of wastewater and process residues. This project also relates to research under NSF Award No. 95-08728 on physical and chemical factors that influence production and emission of gaseous air pollutants from wastewater treatment processing of treatment-derived sludges ***
