Water Resources and Environmental Engineering

Research Project Abstracts: 2003 - 2004

Assessment of the Behavior of Chemical and Biological Contaminants in Landfills
M.A. Barlaz (D.R.U. Knappe and F. de los Reyes will also be working on this project)
Environmental Protection Agency
12/03 to 08/04
The objective of this research is to develop information on the behavior of chemical and biological agents in landfills. Initially, calculations will be performed to provide estimates of the behavior of selected chemical agents in landfills based on physical-chemical property data. Calculations will be performed assuming that equilibrium is established between the solid, liquid and gaseous phases of the landfill. A more complex model will then be developed and validated using batch and column experiments to measure contaminant fate and transport as well as the transport of surrogate biological agents.

Solid Waste Management Life-Cycle Inventory (SWM-LCI) Model Capabilities
M.A. Barlaz and S.R. Ranjithan
Delaware Solid Waste Authority
09/03 to 08/04
The objective of this project is to develop alternatives for the management of municipal solid waste for the State of Delaware. Alternatives will be developed to examine tradeoffs among cost, environmental burdens, resource consumption and landfill diversion using a solid waste management life-cycle inventory model developed by the investigators. After identification of a select group of alternatives, their robustness will be evaluated using the uncertainty component of the life-cycle model.

Sequestration Mechanisms & Bioavailability of Tetrachloroethene and Toluene in Solid Waste
M.A. Barlaz, D.R.U. Knappe and M.A. Nanny (U. of Oklahoma)
National Science Foundation
09/01 to 08/04
The overall objective of this research is to study factors that control the fate and bioavailability of tetrachloroethene (PCE) and toluene in landfills with a specific focus on contaminant sequestration and biodegradation as influenced by the presence of (1) humic substances in solid matrices and (2) acidogenic and methanogenic leachate. Given the complexity of studying sorption and bioavailability in landfills, work is being conducted with the major organic solid waste components in pure form (office paper, newsprint, model food and yard waste, high density polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride).

Production of Non-Methane Organic Compounds (NMOCs) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) During Refuse Decomposition
M.A. Barlaz
Waste Management Inc.
03/01 to 06/04
The overall objectives of this research are to develop a basic understanding of (1) the production of non-methane organic compounds (NMOCs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during refuse decomposition, and (2) the relationship between NMOCs and VOCs. NMOC and VOC production are measured in a series of 8-liter reactors filled with either mixed municipal solid waste, yard waste, mixed paper, or food waste. Decomposition is being monitored under aerobic, nitrate-reducing and anaerobic conditions. This research will result in a laboratory-measured ultimate yields for a variety of trace organic compounds and for the bulk parameter NMOC.

Development of Permeable Reactive Barriers (PRBs) using Edible Oils
R.C. Borden
Dept. of Defense, SERDP
01/01 to 01/07
The overall objective of this proposal is to develop the information needed to reliably design, construct and evaluate edible oil barriers, including: 1) Identify factors controlling the loss of permeability during oil injection; 2) Identify factors controlling oil biodegradation rate in aquifer sediments; 3) Use these results to develop improved procedures for distributing and immobilizing oils that: (a) do not cause an excessive decline in permeability and (b) result in a slow, steady rate of in-situ oil decay; (4) Modify the model RT3D to simulate the major processes controlling the performance of edible oil barriers.

Evaluating Monitored Natural Attenuation of Perchlorate in Groundwater
R.C. Borden and M.A. Barlaz
Solutions-IES
02/04 to 12/07
With support from the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program, Solutions-IES is evaluating the potential for use of Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) in managing groundwater contamination by perchlorate. North Carolina State University (NCSU) will support this project by providing laboratory studies to help identify sites where MNA is occurring and to demonstrate its effectiveness. The overall objective of this project is develop tools to: (1) identify sites where MNA may be appropriate for management of perchlorate releases; and (2) demonstrate to regulatory agencies that perchlorate MNA is effective for controlling adverse impacts to the environment.

Ecophysiology of Nitrifying and Denitrifying Communities and their Interactions in Microbial Flocs
F.L. de los Reyes III, J. Ducoste and M. Hyman (Microbiology)
National Science Foundation, Microbial Observatories-Microbial Interactions and Processes
07/01/04 to 06/30/08
This project will apply a multidisciplinary approach to characterize the factors that control community structure and function in nitrogen-transforming microbial flocs. The specific objectives of the project are to: (1) Determine the effect of microscopic floc structure on rates and diversity of microbial activities involved in nitrogen removal; (2) Determine the impact of bioreactor macro conditions on floc size, shape, and function; (3) Characterize the carbon- and nitrogen-based metabolic interactions among ammonia-oxidizing, nitrite-oxidizing, and denitrifying bacteria within a floc; and (4) Develop a macroscale model of nitrogen and carbon removal in activated sludge that incorporates microscale processes in flocs.

Molecular and Engineering Approaches for Analyzing Microbial Selection in Activated Sludge: Competition between Filaments and Floc-formers (CAREER)
F. L. de los Reyes III
National Science Foundation
07/1/01 to 06/30/06
This CAREER project will focus on the most important component of the most widely used wastewater treatment process: the separation of solids from the effluent in activated sludge systems. The research will combine molecular, modeling, and reactor studies to integrate theories of microbial selection of floc-formers over filaments and develop design guidelines for reactor design and operation. The education component involves the training of students in the principles and practices of molecular techniques, the integration of treatment process modeling and full-scale treatment plant exposure experiences in undergraduate and graduate courses, and participation in the COE Distance Education program at NCSU.

Fundamental Analysis of a Novel Swine Wastewater Treatment Technology
F. L. de los Reyes III and J. Cheng
US Department of Agriculture- National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program (USDA-NRICGP)
08/1/01 to 12/31/04
A promising technology that integrates organics destruction, nitrogen removal, and energy recovery has been recently developed at NC State University. This technology utilizes an anaerobic biofilm reactor followed by an intermittently-aerated, single-reactor nitrogen removal system. In the second stage, over 90% of the nitrogen is removed through nitrification/denitrification processes. In this project, we will identify, quantify, and monitor the nitrogen-removing populations in a novel single-reactor system using molecular techniques based on 16S rRNA (ribosomal ribonucleic acid) sequence analysis. The microbial community structure will be related to reactor operation in order to optimize the performance of the reactor system.

Improving Dewatering of Wastewater Biosolids Using Innovative Approaches
F.L. de los Reyes III
NC Water Resources Research Institute
06/01/03 to 12/31/04
The capital and operating costs associated with management of solids residuals have been estimated as 30-50% of the total costs associated with wastewater treatment (NRC, 2002). The goal of this project is to increase the dewatered solids content of biosolids (sludges) by incorporating various treatments with with traditional dewatering processes using the moisture distribution in sludge as a theoretical framework. The specific objectives of the project are: (1) to determine the inherent dewaterability of various types of sludges, including developing a centrifuge test for predicting dewaterability; and (2) to determine the effects of various sludge pretreatments on dewaterability.

Simultaneous Nitrifcation-Denitrification: Effects of Floc Size and Novel Nitrogen-Transforming Bacteria
F.L. de los Reyes III
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
Fall 2002 to present
The effects of floc size in providing microenvironments for simultaneous nitrification-denitrifcation are being investigated using a Couette flow reactor. By adjusting operational conditions, floc size can be tightly controlled. Biological transformations of nitrogen will be tracked. In addition, a new rRNA-targeted probe for an SND organism was developed and used in a variety of environmental (natural and engineered treatment) samples. The student involved in this work is funded by a NSF Graduate Fellowship, and research supplies are supported by start-up funds.

Modeling Activated Sludge Population Dynamics
F.L. de los Reyes III
Unsponsored
(Spring 2001 to Fall 2003)
Population models of filaments and floc-formers in activated sludge are being developed using STELLA and MATLAB. These models will explore the effects of varying growth rates, kinetic parameters, load fluctuations, and storage on the outcome of microbial competition. The results of this modeling effort will allow the initial testing of several hypotheses on microbial competition and may impact the design and operation of full-scale treatment plants. This project is in progress and currently performed as part of an MCE project. Computer support (software, computer time) is supported by start-up funds from the Department of Civil Engineering.

Characterization of Fat, Oil, and Grease Blockages in Sanitary Sewer Collection Systems
J.J. Ducoste (Co-PI) (Kevin Keener in NCSU Food Science )
NCSU Faculty Research and Professional Development Grant
06/03 to 06/04
The overall objectives of this research are: (a) to determine the chemical makeup of FOG deposits and (b) to determine FOG/solids settleability. To achieve objective (a), the research project involves performing gravimetric and compression tests along with porosity measurements and scanning electron microscopy. In addition, mineral and metal analyses, fatty acid profiling, and a measure of the level of surfactants will be performed on the FOG deposits. To achieve objective (b), samples from influent grease interceptors will be placed in settling columns to determine solids settling rates and FOG separation rates.

NCSU/NC A & T Program for STEM Enrollment Enhancement
J.J. Ducoste (Co-PI) (Other PIs: John Fountain, MEAS; Carrie Thomas, MEAS, Robert Borden, CCE; David Haase, Physics; Christine Grant, CHE; Christopher Gould, Physics; Jesus Rodriguez, Math; William Switzer, Chem)
National Science Foundation
01/03 to 12/05
North Carolina State University and North Carolina Agricultural and Technological State University are collaborating in developing a program designed to increase the number of graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Specific program elements include a summer camp at NCSU for graduating high school students who have not selected their majors, summer bridge programs at both NCSU and NCA&T designed to prepare new STEM students for introductory college science and math courses, undergraduate research programs at both schools, tutoring and mentoring of STEM majors, and a faculty exchange program between the two campuses.

Analysis of Computational Fluid Dynamics Results for Ultraviolet Reactor Design: A Subcontract to UV Disinfection for Large Water Treatment Plants: AWWA Research Foundation No. 2768
J.J. Ducoste (PI) (AWWARF Co-PIs: Bob Hulsey, Black and Veatch; Karl Linden, Duke University)
Black & Veatch
09/02 to 08/04
The principal objective of this research is the analysis of the CFD modeling data generated by UV manufacturers for Large Water Treatment Plants. Data analysis will include ensuring accurate assessment of the following:

A Unified Approach to Understanding, Education, and Design of Disinfection Processes using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CAREER)
J.J. Ducoste
National Science Foundation
09/01 to 08/06
This research program proposes to use CFD to 1) develop and evaluate alternative disinfection models for the prediction of effluent microbial inactivation through continuous flow systems and 2) assess the impact of disinfectant injection methods and multiple disinfectant injection points on microbial inactivation and DBP formation. The educational plan involves the development of a CFD disinfectant training module. The CFD disinfection-training module will be designed around a graphical user interface (GUI) that will be the primary mode of communication between the user and the CFD model. The training module will be composed of three sections: 1) power point/video-based disinfection process-lecture series, 2) solved disinfection problems and simulated tracer tests, and 3) team-based disinfection design problems.

Hydraulic Characterization of UV Reactors
J.J. Ducoste (Co-PI: Karl Linden, Duke University)
AWWARF
08/01 to 09/04
The overall goal of this study is to enhance the UV disinfection design process, including prediction of performance and scale-up, through innovative experimental and numerical techniques that assess dose distribution, hydraulic characterization, and microbial inactivation levels. The results of this research will be used for the development of a UV disinfection design framework (UVDDF) protocol. The focus of the experimental work in this study will involve pilot and full-scale closed-conduit reactors. Novel numerical models developed during this study will be tested with both closed-conduit and open-channel reactors to bridge previous open-channel numerical modeling research.

REU Supplement to Career: A Unified Approach to Understanding, Education, and Design of Disinfection Processes using Computational Fluid Dynamics
J.J. Ducoste
National Science Foundation
09/02 to 09/03
The proposed REU research program will enable two of my undergraduate students to work along side M.S and Ph.D. students and conduct the following experimentation: a) bench-scale disinfectant formation studies for chlorine and combined chlorine species to determine the kinetic rate constants in the CFD model and b) bench-scale disinfection studies involving the impact of sequential disinfectants on fluorescent microspheres.

NSF Kenan Fellow RET Program
J.J. Ducoste (Research Participant)
Ruben Carbonell, Deborah Mangum (Kenan Institute for Engineering, Technology, and Science)
National Science Foundation
01/04 to 01/07
The proposed site will provide science and engineering research projects for 20 middle and high school teachers from multiple school districts in order to develop a cohort of teacher leaders who will bring enhanced knowledge of engineering and technological innovation into their classrooms. The program is designed to foster student enthusiasm, interest, and competence both for pursuing careers in the field and for the acquisition of skills and knowledge demanded by an increasingly technological society. As a participant of this research team, I will be providing a research project(s) related to water and wastewater treatment processing and design.

NSF Green Processing Undergraduate Research Program
J.J. Ducoste (Research Participant)
Christine Grant, Steven Peretti (Dept. of Chemical Engineering)
National Science Foundation
01/20 to 01/05
The overall objectives of this REU project are 1) to educate students about the importance and widespread applicability of green processing through involvement in research, 2) provide students from predominantly undergraduate institutions and groups traditionally underrepresented in engineering the research experience necessary to stimulate their interest and enhance their success in graduate engineering training, and 3) motivate an appreciation of the importance and relevance of ethics in all phases of professional engineering practice. As a member of this research team, I will be providing research projects related to water and wastewater treatment processing and design.

Modeling Heterogeneous Turbulent Induced Flocculation in Water Treatment Processes
J.J. Ducoste
Unsponsored
09/00 to 05/04
The proposed research project seeks to develop a numerical tool that will assist environmental engineers better optimize the full-scale flocculation process in preparation for meeting future stringent water quality goals. The project will combine powerful population balance models (PBM) that simulate flocculation kinetics for a broad range of particle sizes with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models that will simulate the complex fluid mechanics and particle transport within any reactor system.

Improved Chemical Mixing through Computational Fluid Dynamics
J.J. Ducoste
Unsponsored
01/00 to 05/04
The principal objective of this research is to develop an enhanced chemical mixing design protocol for low energy in-line mixers that better predicts downstream mixture uniformity using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Specific objectives are to (1) evaluate the predictive capabilities of CFD models for different in-line mixing configurations, (2) establish relationships between in-line mixer configurations and downstream chemical mixture uniformity, (3) determine the impacts of process flow, conduit size and conduit shape on mixer design selection, (4) apply the enhanced mixing protocol at a full scale facility, and (5) compare cost savings and mixing performance for designs produced by enhanced mixing protocol and traditional mixing protocol.

Development and Application of Optimal Design Capability for Coal Gasification Systems
H. Christopher Frey
U.S. Department of Energy, Federal Energy Technology Center, via Carnegie Mellon University
1997-2001, extended into 2004
The objective of this project is to develop system analysis tools useful in evaluating energy systems and in addressing the complex problems of environmental management. This project includes the development of a guideline document describing methods for identifying and characterizing key technical and economic uncertainties which are required as inputs for stochastic modeling of energy technologies. This project will include development of new computer simulation models that shall predict the performance, emissions, and cost of advanced fossil fuel power generation and pollution control technologies specified by the U.S. Department of Energy.

New Methods for Assessment of Pollution Prevention Technologies
H. Christopher Frey and M.A. Barlaz
National Science Foundation and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
10/98 to 09/03
The objectives of this research are to: (1) develop novel assessment methodologies for evaluation of the risks and potential pay-offs of new technologies that avoid pollutant production; (2) demonstrate the methodology via a detailed case study of one promising new pollution prevention technology; and (3) utilize a tiered approach including process simulation and design optimization, probabilistic analysis, life cycle analysis, and assessment of selected regional environmental impacts to provide insights regarding the risks and pay-offs of the pollution prevention approach, both at a "micro" process-level and at a "macro" regional environmental level. This project will focus on pollution prevention in power generation, waste management, and selected aspects of related industries using waste gasification as an example.

Probabilistic Modeling of Variability and Uncertainty in Urban Air Toxics Emissions
H. Christopher Frey
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
10/98 to 03/04
The objectives of this research are: (1) to develop and refine methods for quantification of variability and uncertainty in estimating emissions of urban air toxics; (2) to develop and refine methods for identifying key sources of variability and uncertainty in assessments of urban air toxic emissions and exposures; (3) to develop probabilistic process engineering models for making realistic estimates of emissions of, and the effects of control measures for, urban air toxics; (4) to demonstrate the methods via a detailed case study of urban air toxics emissions and exposures; and (5) to characterize the benefits of the methods with respect to environmental and research management.

Identification and Application of Methods for Sensitivity Analysis of Complex Food Safety Process Risk Models
H. Christopher Frey
United States Department of Agriculture
10/00 to 01/04
Sensitivity analyses of risk models can help identify the most significant exposure or risk factors, aid in developing priorities for risk mitigation, aid in identifying the importance of uncertainties in the model for the purpose of prioritizing additional data collection or research, play an important role in verification and validation of a model, and enable insight into the robustness of model results when making decisions. Sensitivity analysis can also aid in identify the most sensitive or important decision variables, which some may refer to as "control points". This project focuses on identification and application of methods for sensitivity analysis of complex food safety risk models.

Uncertainty Analysis for the 1996 National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment
H. Christopher Frey
United States Environmental Protection Agency (via MCNC)
01/03 to 03/04
Quantified uncertainty in the 1996 National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment (NATA) based upon benzene, formaldehyde, and chromium and the Houston geographic area.

In-Vehicle Energy and Emissions Information System
H. Christopher Frey and N.M. Rouphail
National Science Foundation
01/03 to 12/05
The key objectives of this research project are to: (1) develop a micro-scale predictor of energy use and emissions that is deployable at the individual vehicle level in real-time; (2) identify, compare and evaluate alternate energy use and emissions sampling/reporting schemes that are appropriate at the vehicle and network levels; (3) Develop and test a prototype In-Vehicle Energy and Emissions Information System (IVEEIS); and (4) formulate and assess the utility of IVEEIS in developing transportation design and control measures aimed at energy and emission management policies.

Operational Evaluation of Emissions and Fuel Use of B20 vs. Diesel Vehicles
H. Christopher Frey and N.M. Rouphail
North Carolina Department of Transportation
10/03 to 09/04
This project involves design and implementation of a field data collection study on diesel vehicles to measure second-by-second emissions of NOx, Particulate Matter, CO, and CO2, fuel use, engine data, and vehicle activity (e.g., speed, location) data using an on-board portable instrument. Benchmark modal emission rates will enable comparison of B20 and conventional diesel fuel, estimation of emission factors, and identification of opportunities to reduce emissions and fuel use through improved vehicle operation. Strategic recommendations will be made regarding biodiesel fuel, air quality management, energy management, and improved operation.

Life Cycle Inventory and Impact Analysis Framework for Nonroad Construction Vehicles and Equipment
H. Christopher Frey and W. Rasdorf
National Science Foundation
09/03 to 09/04
The objectives of this work are to: (1) Characterize the second-by-second in-use emissions and energy use of nonroad construction vehicles and equipment, including emissions of nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, and particulate matter, including real time sensing and monitoring where needed to fill data gaps; (2) Develop a life cycle inventory of conventional nonroad construction vehicles and equipment; and (3) Identify and recommend methods for reducing energy use, emissions, and impacts.

NARSTO Emission Inventory Assessment
H. Christopher Frey
California Air Resources Board
03/04 to 06/04
The objective of this project is to undertake the first phase of development of a multi-national emission inventory assessment document, including participation of NARSTO and leading experts. The three major objectives of this work are to: (1) promote efficient and effective use of current inventories; (2) set the stage for improving future emission inventories; and (3) establish a roadmap for future inventories.

Review and Recommendation of Methods for Sensitivity and Uncertainty Analysis for the SHEDS Models
H. Christopher Frey
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency via ManTech, Inc.
03/04 to 06/04
The objectives of this project are to: (1) conduct a comprehensive review of available statistical methods for conducting sensitivity analysis and uncertainty analysis in probabilistic models; and (2) recommend a standardized methodology for conducting sensitivity and uncertainty analysis in probabilistic models. The proposed work includes review and recommendation of sensitivity and uncertainty analysis methods relevant to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Stochastic Human Exposure and Dose Simulation (SHEDS) models.

SCAPS Data Reduction and Process Flow Diagram of WIDE Former Lockbourne AFB Columbus
M. Gabr
National Environmental Education and Training Center through West Virginia University
02/04 to 06/05
The objective of the proposed work is to provide data analyses of Subsurface Contaminants Analysis Penetrometer System (SCAPS), performed by the Corps at the Former Lockbourne AFB Columbus (AOC 3). The data will be synthesized and reduced to visually characterize subsurface variability in geology and contamination profiles. Parallel to site characterization, the WIDE deployment process and the collected data will be analyzed for performance and quality control assessment.

Jetting Techniques for Pile Installation and Environmental Impact Minimization
M. A. Gabr and R.C. Borden
NC Department of Transportation
07/02 to 06/04
The objective of this research is to characterize and define disturbance due to jetting installation method as manifested by zone of influence and volume of debris area. This disturbance will be defined as a function of jetting pressure, flow rate, and site conditions including soil types. Second, specifications will be developed with recommendations regarding jetting parameters to minimize disturbance as well as possible conjugate practice modification of the jetting procedure such as addition of vacuum and/or water extraction/ circulation techniques.

Remote Observation and Control of a Shake Table Experiment
Abhinav Gupta, V.C. Matzen, and M. Gabr
NC State University, DELTA/ IDEAS Grant
07/03 to 06/04
This project supports tasks that are needed in addition to those being conducted in the development of a prototype for remote observation and control of a shake table experiment under an NSF sponsored project. These tasks are needed to integrate the prototype with the University computing network for incorporation in distance education courses. The tasks need to be implemented in a manner that would maintain real-time safety as well as security features built into the prototype. While the tasks being undertaken are specific to the shake table experiment, the outcome of this work can be extended to other experiments either directly or with only minor modifications.

Decision Support for Seismic Performance Evaluation
Abhinav Gupta, J. Baugh, and G. Mahinthakumar
National Science Foundation
09/00 to 08/03
Overall goal of this research is to develop formal computational approaches that support comprehensive decision making in structural engineering. Specifically, these approaches are being realized in a prototype decision support system that draws on complementary strengths of the engineer and the computer in a joint-cognitive system. Its design is based on three major concepts - (1) optimization for evaluating alternatives and supporting what-if analyses; (2) sub-component approach to address structural model synthesis, scalability, model updating, and uncertainty propagation; and (3) implementation in an object-oriented framework of high performance distributed computing. A series of simple and real-life test cases are being used to evaluate the proposed prototype.

High-Silica Zeolites for the Removal of Polar Organic Contaminants from Drinking Water - Development of a 'Green' Adsorption/Regeneration System
D.R.U. Knappe
American Water Works Association Research Foundation
02/15/03 to 02/14/05
The principal objective of this research is to develop an effective and environmentally friendly adsorption/regeneration system for the removal of polar organic contaminants (POCs) from drinking water. The fuel oxygenate methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) and the antimicrobial compounds sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim will serve as model POCs. The hypotheses that will be tested are (1) high-silica zeolites are more effective adsorbents for POCs than activated carbon and carbonaceous resins, (2) high-silica zeolites are resistant to fouling by natural organic matter (NOM), (3) the adsorption capacity of spent high-silica zeolites can be recovered by low-temperature steam regeneration, and (4) the regeneration waste stream can be effectively treated by photocatalytic oxidation.

Predicting Single-Solute Adsorption Isotherms for Non-Regulated Contaminants from Fundamental Adsorbent and Adsorbate Properties
D.R.U. Knappe
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
08/16/03 to 08/15/04
The objective of the proposed research is to predict single-solute adsorption isotherms for currently regulated organic contaminants, organic compounds on the EPA Contaminant Candidate List (CCL), emerging contaminants (endocrine disruptors, pharmaceutically active compounds, personal care products), and chemical agents (nerve agents, blister agents, blood agents, selected biological toxins, and toxic industrial chemicals). The Polanyi-Dubinin-Manes approach will serve as the basis for the model that will, for the first time, combine fundamental properties of the adsorbent and the adsorbate for isotherm prediction. Using Quantitative Structure Property Relationships (QSPRs), molecular descriptors will be identified from which affinity coefficients for individual target molecules can be predicted.

Quantifying Anti-Strip Additive in Asphalt (Binders and Mixes)
D.R.U. Knappe and A.A. Tayebali
NC Department of Transportation
07/01/03 to 12/31/04
NCDOT requires an antistrip agent in all asphalt mixes. To date, there is no test procedure to determine the level of organic antistrip agents in asphalt binders or asphalt mixtures. The objective of this research is to develop a reliable and repeatable laboratory and/or field test procedure to determine the amount of organic anti-strip agent in asphalt binders and asphalt mixtures. In this investigation, two test methodologies will be investigated. These include 1) a colorimetric test, and 2) a litmus test using StripScan device. Both methodologies utilize a spectrophotometer for the analysis of anti-strip additive concentration in asphalt mixes.

Advanced Oxidation Technologies for the Removal of Pharmaceutically Active Compounds from Drinking Water
D.R.U. Knappe (Student: A. Carolina Baeza, supported through an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship)
Ongoing
Advanced oxidation technologies are capable of mineralizing a large number of organic compounds. However, the mineralization of organic contaminants may be more economical when sequential photochemical/biological oxidation processes are employed. The latter option has been tested for concentrated waste streams, but not yet for potable water sources, where trace levels of organic contaminants coexist with natural organic matter (NOM). Hence, the hypothesis that will be tested in this research is that, sequential photochemical/biological oxidation processes can efficiently mineralize trace levels of PhACs that coexist with NOM. The principal objective of this research is the optimization of a sequential photochemical/biological oxidation process for the mineralization of the antimicrobial compounds sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and trimethoprim (TMP) in the presence of NOM.

ITR: A Prototype to Support Near Real-Time Environmental Characterization
G. Mahinthakumar (with R. Ranjithan, and N. Karonis)
Information Technology Research Program (ITR), NSF
09/03 to 08/06
The overall goal of this project is to investigate formal computational approaches that can readily harness grid computing for the efficient solution of environmental characterization problems. To this end, we will develop a grid-enabled software framework. Two alternative paradigms, one based on the grid-enabled version of MPI (Message Passing Interface), and the other based on Java will be explored. The framework will be applied to groundwater and surface water problems, both of which are of prime societal importance.

High-end Computing In Environmental Engineering with Application to Subsurface Characterization (CAREER)
G. Mahinthakumar
07/01/03 to 06/30/08
Accurate characterization of the subsurface is an important element in the development of reliable and efficient groundwater management practices. Accurate and reliable estimation of hydraulic conductivity distribution, contaminant distribution, and/or contaminant source release history is necessary for problems such as estimating groundwater yields, design of efficient cleanup strategies, and identifying responsible parties in a contamination incident. This requires solution of an inverse problem because direct measurement of detailed subsurface properties is not feasible. Inverse problems are difficult to solve and are computationally demanding. This multidisciplinary CAREER project will investigate novel computational strategies for the efficient solution of large-scale inverse problems in subsurface characterization.

High end Computer System Performance: Science and Engineering
UT Battelle LLC
G. Mahinthakumar
10/24/01 to 09/30/04
The project involves 10 major institutions with Lawrence Berkley National Lab and ORNL as the lead institutions. The overall goal of the proposal is to establish an Enabling Technology Center (ETC) in the area of high-end computer performance. The NCSU research will focus in two areas: 1) performance modeling and analysis and 2) benchmark development for a large-scale parallel astrophysics application. Several modern high-end computer systems including the IBM SP, Compaq Alpha/SC, and an Intel Itanium Linux Cluster will be employed in this research.

Development and Performance Testing of a Large-Scale Parallel Groundwater Flow and Transport Code
G. Mahinthakumar
Unsponsored
01/00 to present
We have developed a parallel groundwater flow and transport simulator intended for high-resolution numerical simulations involving multicomponent groundwater transport and remediation. The main feature of the code is that it can solve very large problems (in the order of 10's of millions of cells) efficiently on today's parallel supercomputers. We will continue with the development and performance testing of this code on the latest parallel computers including those at ORNL, SDSC, NERSC, and NCSA.

Hybrid Global-Local Approaches Enabled by Parallel Computing for Solving PDE Governed Inverse Problems in Civil Engineering
G. Mahinthakumar
Unsponsored
1/02 to present
We are investigating the use of hybrid global-local search approaches for solving large-scale PDE governed inverse problems in civil engineering. Our current focus is on groundwater source identification inverse problems. The approaches developed through this research, however, are more general and can be applied other types of civil engineering inverse problems such as damage detection in structures and air pollution source-matrix identification. We are using genetic algorithms (GAs) as our global search approach and are investigating several local approaches such as Nelder-Meade simplex method, Levenberg-Marquadt method, and Sequential Quadratic Programming.

Internet-Enable Laboratory Experiences for Undergraduate Civil Engineering Students
V.C. Matzen, M. Gabr, and Abhinav Gupta
National Science Foundation
07/03 to 06/05
This study is aimed at adaptation of recent developments in information technology for incorporation of internet-enabled civil engineering laboratory experiments in undergraduate structures and geotechnical courses. Faculty and students will be able to remotely access, run, and control these experiments either independently or in a classroom setting. Such a capability would facilitate the offering of these courses via distance learning program to provide opportunities for "non-traditional" students (e.g., part-time student, working parent, and career-changing adult) seeking careers in Civil Engineering. Implementation of this work will lead to enhancing the quality of undergraduate Civil Engineering courses and making laboratory curriculum widely accessible.

Using Digital Shoreline Data to Better Characterize Inlet Processes and Near-Term Shoreline Behavior
M.F. Overton and J.S. Fisher
NC Division of Coastal Management
08/14/02 to 09/30/04
The Division of Coastal Management (DCM) has identified a need to characterize the significant processes impacting North Carolina's inlets and adjacent oceanfront shorelines within the Ocean Erodible Area (OEA). To adequately characterize these processes, short-term shoreline trends need to be documented. This project will undertake to develop as many digital shoreline datasets as possible from both historical (e.g., aerial photography, Tsheets) and modern sources (LIDAR, photography based digital terrain models, orthophotos). Given the temporally robust set of digital shorelines proposed in this work, shoreline change models can be improved and a framework for understanding the short-term changes can be developed.

Shoreline Monitoring at Oregon Inlet
M.F. Overton and J. S. Fisher
NC Department of Transportation
07/03 to 06/04
The purpose of this ongoing project (1989 to present) is to monitor and evaluate the response of a six mile stretch of shoreline just south of the terminal groin constructed to protect the bridge at the north end of Pea Island. The purpose of phase one was to establish the 'historical erosion rates' for the study area since the change in dredging operations in the inlet in 1984 and before the March 1989 storm. The continuing phases of the project consist of determining position of the shoreline from air photography every two months and evaluating the response of the shoreline in the context of the historical erosion rates.

Urban Watershed Management Tools
S. Ranji Ranjithan
US EPA/MCNC
10/01 to 09/04
U.S. EPA's Multimedia Integrated Modeling System (MIMS) provides a unified computing framework to simulate the cycling of environmental pollutants within and across all media. The simulation models are to be coupled with systems analytic methods (including uncertainty analysis and optimization-based search procedures) to explore and identify efficient strategies to manage urban watershed management problems. In addition, decision-makers require cost/benefit tradeoffs and reliability associated with different strategies. The objective of this project is to integrate urban watershed decisions support tools into MIMS, and demonstrate their use with US EPA's Storm Water Management Model (version 5).