Grant: Applied Research Tools and Instruments Grants

There is a growing interest in the improvement, development and commercialization of water and waste water treatment technologies for municipal and industrial applications. Saturation of existing treatment facilities, high labour cost as well as low treatment efficiency, high land-use footprint, and high energy requirements for conventional systems are challenges which can be improved and solved by new and improved systems. Lambton College has recently established a dedicated applied research centre for water and wastewater projects called the ""Lambton Water Centre (LWC)"" funded by NSERC-CCI-IE grant. The LWC's objective is to respond to government and industry demand by conducting applied research projects. The LWC benefits from close partnerships with initially 5 companies and 7 organizations in the water and wastewater value chain including municipalities, manufacturers, operators, consultants, aboriginal organization and universities. The LWC has created an excitement in the region and a fertile ground for carrying out applied research among municipalities and industry to resolve their practical technical problems. However, the initial equipment allocation and acquisition through the LWC is not sufficient to meet some of the goals of the current project and also is a constraint on developing new projects and partnerships. This proposal will establish a well-equipped ""Water Analysis Laboratory"" increasing applied research capacity of the LWC responding to applied research needs. The proposed equipment that will be purchased with the proposal include: Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometry, Ion Chromatograph, Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy, Ion Specific Electrode (Fluorine), dissolved oxygen electrode, total dissolved solids, a freeze dryer, and an autoclave. The Water Analysis Laboratory will be located at the Western Sarnia-Lambton Research Park.