Conductivity and TDS measurement impact on plant design projection and energy requirements
Project Details
Program
Environmental Science and Engineering
Field of Study
Environmental engineering
Division
Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering
Faculty Lab Link
Center Affiliation
Water Desalination and Reuse Center
Project Description
This project aims to assess the accuracy and consistency of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) measurements, critical for the design and operation of desalination plants. TDS levels influence pre-treatment requirements, membrane performance, recovery rates, and post-treatment water quality. Variability in TDS readings from different instruments can lead to operational inefficiencies and affect equipment warranties.
A series of lab-scale experiments will be conducted using four handheld conductivity meters and the Schneider Electric TDS Measurement Skid. Artificial seawater will be prepared according to ASTM D1141-98, with TDS concentrations ranging from 500 to 40,000 ppm. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) will be used to validate the elemental composition of the samples.
The study will examine how variations in device calibration, temperature (20–37 °C), and sample composition affect measurement accuracy. The outcomes will inform best practices for TDS monitoring and support improved desalination system design and operation.
About the Researcher
Johannes Vrouwenvelder
Professor, Environmental Science and Engineering
Affiliations
Education Profile
- Ph.D., Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands, 2009
Research Interests
a€‹Professor Vrouwenvelder studies microbiological and process technological aspects of water treatment and transport. This includes fouling control of membrane systems and cooling towers, and sensors and tools for biofouling/biofilm monitoring and rapid sensitive microbial water quality monitoring. Additionally, Professor Vrouwenvelder performs numerical modelling of fouling and water treatment system performance, and studies the dynamics of the microbial ecology of water distribution systems.Selected Publications
- Early non-destructive biofouling detection and spatial distribution: application of oxygen sensing optodes | N.M. Farhat, M. Staal, A. Siddiqui, S.M. Borisov, S.S. Bucs, J.S. Vrouwenvelder Water Research, Volume 83, p. 10-20, (2015)
- Dynamics of bacterial communities before and after distribution in a full-scale drinking water network | J. El-Chakhtoura, E. Prest, P. Saikaly, M.C.M. van Loosdrecht, F. Hammes, J.S. Vrouwenvelder Water Research, Volume 74, p. 180-190. (2015)
- Experimental and numerical characterization of the water flow in spacer-filled channels of spiral-wound membranes | S.S. Bucs, R. Valladares Linares, J.O. Marston, A.I. Radu, J.S. Vrouwenvelder, C. Picioreanu, Water Research, Volume 87, p. 299-310, (2015)
- Biological stability of drinking water: Controlling factors, methods, and challenges | E.I. Prest, F. Hammes, M.C.M. van Loosdrecht, J.S. VrouwenvelderFrontiers in Microbiology, Volume 7, Issue FEB, Article number 45 (2016)
- Development and characterization of 3D-printed feed spacers for spiral wound membrane systems | A. Siddiqui, N.M. Farhat, S.S. Bucs, R. Valladares Linares, C. Picioreanu, J.C. Kruithof, M.C.M. van Loosdrecht, J. Kidwell, J.S. Vrouwenvelder, Water Research, Volume 91, p. 55-67, (2016)
Desired Project Deliverables
The student will learn various approaches to characterize seawater samples quality. He/She will learn different techniques (i.e. TDS, ICP-MS, ICP-OES, etc). Perform data analysis, written and oral presentation of (intermediate) results.
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3-6 months
Internship period
100+
Research Projects
3.5/4
Cumulative GPA
310
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