Amos Branch

PhD. Candidate
Contact Details
Tel: +61-2-9385-4339
Email: amos.branch@student.unsw.edu.au
Address

Room 208, Chemical Sciences Bldg
The University of New South Wales
Sydney, 2052, Australia
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Education

  • University of New South Wales, Australia, BE. Industrial Chemistry (2010)

Research Project

Research Project Title: Towards guidelines for MBR validation

Reduction of pathogenic microorganisms to concentrations below acceptable health risk is a principle aim of a water reuse treatment plant. Conventional methods of pathogen analysis require skill and time (> 24 hr). However, due to the continuous nature of water supply, the 24 hr lag between sample and result is inadequate to prevent distribution of potentially contaminated water. To efficiently assure performance of membrane bioreactors (MBR) used in water reuse, the capacity of online monitoring solutions to detect loss of containment of pathogens must be quantified.

This research will define the gap between sensor limits of detection and fit for purpose permeate contaminant concentration. Online monitoring solutions will be evaluated according to the following criteria;

  • Ability to detect an appropriate surrogate for pathogen contamination
  • Sensitivity
  • Commercial availability
  • Feasibility and
  • Compatibility with commercially available MBR configurations.

Comparison of conventional wastewater monitoring technique capability with systematic risk assessment of MBR will elucidate operational events that are detectable and undetectable online.

The outputs of this research will assist MBR designers and operators in selection of the most appropriate online monitoring solution to continually assure permeate quality to an acceptable level.
 

Awards

  • Oral presentation award at the 7th IWA Specialised Membrane Technology Conference and Exhibition for Water and Wastewater Treatment and Reuse.

Supervisors