Demonstration of Regenerable, Large-scale Ion Exchange System Using WBA Resin in Rialto, CA
Abstract
The Department of Defense (DOD) has used perchlorate (ClO4) as an oxidizer in ordnance items and rocket motors for over half a century. This very water soluble and environmentally persistent compound now contaminates drinking water for tens of millions of people in the United States. In 2002, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a provisional perchlorate Oral Reference Dose (RfD), which translated into a drinking water equivalent level of 1 part per billion (ppb). This drinking water equivalent level (DWEL) was increased to 24.5 ppb following the release of a report by the National Academy of Science in 2005. As a result of EPA establishing a reference dose for perchlorate having a DWEL of 24.5 ppb, the DOD issued a policy letter in January 2006 that establishes 24 ppb as the level of concern for managing perchlorate. The letter further states that, Once established, DOD will comply with applicable state or federal promulgated standards whichever is more stringent. The letter also provides guidance for perchlorate with respect to sampling and analysis, record keeping, environmental restoration, operational ranges, drinking water systems, and wastewater discharges. These guidance letters will impact many end-users and stakeholders. Some of the issues that these end-users and stakeholders face using ion exchange technologies include a simple and effective regeneration process, disposal of concentrated regenerant streams, and cost. In California, the proposed maximum contaminant level (MCL) for perchlorate is 6 ppb. The cost for DOD to achieve compliance with this drinking water limit could be billions of dollars. The current approach is treatment by either ion exchange or biological processes. The ion exchange approach is favored for drinking water applications. Existing ion exchange technologies in use today include regenerable and single-use processes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA603988
Entities
People
- Andrea Davis
- Edward Coppola
- Jeffrey Rine
Organizations
- Applied Research Associates (United States)