Project Details
[Return to Previous Page]Water Filtration Media Development: Mineral Processing and Surface Modification for Enhanced Contaminant Removal
Company: Foster Exploration & Production II, LLC
Major(s):
Primary: MATSE
Secondary: ME
Optional: IE
Non-Disclosure Agreement: YES
Intellectual Property: YES
Foster Exploration & Production II is developing water filtration media from mineral deposits in Puerto Rico. The company has secured access to raw materials with favorable characteristics for water treatment applications. Initial testing suggests potential for performance improvements through various processing and surface modification techniques. The sponsor seeks to establish a domestic manufacturing capability as an alternative to imported filtration media. Problem to Solve: The sponsor requires systematic R&D to evaluate processing methods that enhance the filtration performance of raw mineral feedstock. Students will investigate multiple treatment pathways, optimize key process parameters, and characterize resulting improvements in material properties relevant to water treatment. The project involves experimental design, laboratory testing, data analysis, and process development. Expected Benefits: Validated processing parameters for surface modification techniques. Quantified performance improvements through standard materials characterization methods. Process recommendations suitable for scale-up. Data supporting regulatory certification applications. Deliverables: 1. Literature review of relevant mineral processing techniques for water treatment media 2. Experimental design and testing protocol 3. Laboratory results with statistical analysis 4. Process flow diagrams for validated pathways 5. Techno-economic comparison of processing routes 6. Recommendations for pilot-scale implementation 7. Final report documenting findings and next steps Sponsor Support: The sponsor will provide raw material samples, baseline characterization data, relevant background research, and weekly remote consultations. Advanced characterization may utilize Penn State facilities. The sponsor has established R&D funding mechanisms to support extended collaboration opportunities.
