Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

Pollutants and contaminants found in soil and water can pose significant threats to the environment and human health. Several tools exist for environmental remediation however traditional methods employed tend to be extremely costly, time-consuming, and in many cases result in the relocation of contaminants to a landfill. Activated White Ltd. is an Ontario-based company that manufactures an innovative adsorption product, termed Activated White (AW), with wide application potential. Unlike traditional methods used, AW is an innovative, inexpensive and fast-acting product capable of safely extracting pollutants from contaminated sources. AW is a urea formaldehyde resin; a porous material with high surface area which make it excellent at sorption and use in environmental remediation. The primary goals of this applied research project are to assess and evaluate the sorption capabilities of the AW product for both organic and inorganic environmental contaminants and to ensure that formaldehyde is not released under normal use conditions. The objectives will be to evaluate the AW product in terms of its capacity to adsorb glycol contaminated wastes (de-icing fluids), common solvents and dissolved trace elements. Investigations will also be undertaken to determine how solvent polarity and pH may influence the release of formaldehyde. In addition to bench-scale tests, research on the COSIA Challenges - Passive Organics Treatment Technology and applicability of the AW product will be assessed and evaluated through a literature review. In collaboration with Fleming College's Centre for Alternative Wastewater Treatment, the AW product will be characterized and assessed for treatment capabilities over a 6-month research study. Results from this applied research will allow Activated White Ltd. to fully assess their product, providing technical credibility and improving their market position.