A 3-dimensional Magnetic Nanoparticle Recovery Device (MagNRD) was designed and tested for use to remove and recover superparamagnetic nanoparticles from water in-line under high flow conditions (e.g. 1 L/min). (Functionalized) Magnetic nanoparticles (e.g. magnetite) can be used to remove a range of contaminants (e.g. arsenic, chromium, mercury, organics) from water for varying treatment applications, but the nanoparticles should not be in the final water above regulatory limits (e.g. NSDWR&lt; 300 ppb) and need to be separated from the water prior to the disposal or reuse of the water. Most studies with magnetic nanoparticles are performed at the bench scale and utilize handheld magnets for separation. An experimental comparison of MagNRD and the use of handheld magnets at a pilot-scale, as well as the benefits and limitations of each will be discussed. The use of handheld magnets at a larger scale is not feasible, thus a system that can handle high flow rates to remove nanoparticles in-line is needed to enable applications for water treatment. We will describe the optimization of the MagNRD for removal and recovery of magnetic nanoparticles for disposal or reuse. The effect of operational parameters, addition of steel wool, nanoparticle loading, and type of nanoparticle on the capture efficiency of MagNRD will be discussed. The ability to recover and reuse the nanoparticles from the system will also be demonstrated. MagNRD can efficiently remove iron oxide nanoparticles (e.g. bare Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> and iron-carbide) up to &gt;99% at high concentrations (e.g. 500 ppm), high flow rates (e.g. 1 L/min), and high volumes (&gt;16 L) from varying water matrices (e.g. fresh, oil and gas brine). Additionally, the nanoparticles can be efficiently recovered and reused (&gt;80%) using a short, simple backwash when needed. MagNRD is an efficient, versatile, robust system that will enable the use of magnetic nanoparticles at a larger scale water treatment applications.

Magnetic nanoparticle recovery device (MagNRD) enables large scale application of iron oxide nanoparticles for water treatment

256th National Meeting (2018)

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