Rohan Jakhete - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Rohan Jakhete
Pharmaceuticals are being used increasingly, and end up in wastewater streams through excretion a... more Pharmaceuticals are being used increasingly, and end up in wastewater streams through excretion and disposal. However, certain classes of pharmaceuticals, especially endocrine disrupting compounds are causing negative effects on aquatic organisms, such as sex-changes. Due to the inability of current processes to remove refractory endocrine disrupting compounds, such as 17α-ethinylestradiol(EE2), these compounds persist in wastewater streams. This research evaluates the performance of electro-oxidation process in the disintegration of EE2 in the effluent. Oxidation-Reduction Potential(ORP) was assessed as an indirect measurement at minute intervals for determination of oxidation process. Consecutive electro-oxidation tests were performed with simulated samples at 0 mg/L EE2, 0.3 mg/L EE2, 0.6 mg/L EE2, 0.9 mg/L EE2 concentrations. During testing, it was observed that ORP Levels dropped from initial reading, followed by constant rate of increase at regular intervals. Initial drop in ORP suggests that the complete oxidation of EE2 occurred at average approximated value of 200 seconds. Electro-oxidation appears to be a promising method in oxidation and deactivation of ethinylestradiol. Further studies are needed, including a direct measurement method to implement electro-oxidation at targeted large-scale wastewater application.
This experiment deals with the sustainable application of electro-oxidation for the generation of... more This experiment deals with the sustainable application of electro-oxidation for the generation of sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) from NaCl (aq.) for utilization in oxidation of Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). Okeechobee, located in South Florida is a major crop site. Due to the access of fresh water, most farms surround Lake Okeechobee. However, the overuse of fertilizers has caused the runoff of sulfates, phosphates, and nitrates. The surface runoff promotes the growth of Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). Due to the excessive over-fertilization, a severe blue-green algae bloom devastated South Florida. This project deals with a novel approach to treating Cyanobacteria without harming the ecosystem. Using a DC current, the generation of Sodium Hypochlorite (NaClO) was achieved. The most concentrated Sodium Hypochlorite solution oxidized 96.5% of Cyanobacteria particles after 60 minutes of disinfection. Thus, this novel approach to water treatment is sustainable and can be implemented for large volume flow rate. Future research involves the application of a cost-effective oxidation system. Implementation in global agricultural sites are recommended.
Water softeners are used to soften the hard water and has been proven to be effective and efficie... more Water softeners are used to soften the hard water and has been proven to be effective and efficient. However, water softeners are polluting the environment as brine, magnesium, and calcium are being flushed out in the environment. This project explores the possibility of using electro-precipitation as an alternative method. Data was collected from hard water (well water), electro-precipitated water, and water from conventional water softeners. As shown from data, electro-precipitation decreased the amount of particles in the water. After the experiment, calcium deposit was noticed on the cathode implying that dissolved minerals were pulled out of the solution. Electro-precipitation shows a promising alternative way of the water softening process which is chemical-free, environmentally safe and cheap to operate.
Is air injection a definite replacement for conventional fertilizers? If I test methods of hydrat... more Is air injection a definite replacement for conventional fertilizers? If I test methods of hydration, fertilization, and aeration on plants, then I will observe how aerated water/soil affects the growth of plants. The goal of my project is to provide farmers with a cheap, effective and viable irrigation system that will reduce the need for conventional fertilizers. Although conventional fertilizers are effective, due to surface runoff, phosphates and nitrates contaminate surrounding bodies of water thus disturbing the balance of the environment. If I tested various methods of irrigation on phaseolus vulgaris, I will determine that aeration is an effective replacement for conventional fertilizers because air in the water will distribute moisture near the root zone. To do my project, I created three different methods to test over a period of 15 days. Over the period of 15 days, I found that aeration is an effective replacement for fertilizers as aeration and fertilizing methods had similar results. My hypothesis was proven as aeration methods is proven to be an effective replacement. As a result of this test, the need for conventional fertilizers will reduce. In the future, we can move towards using water efficiently, and reducing the amount of chemicals in the environment. A healthy root system requires a healthy plant which brings increased plant growth. Venturi systems aerates water to eliminate the problem of over-fertilization.
Pharmaceuticals are being used increasingly, and end up in wastewater streams through excretion a... more Pharmaceuticals are being used increasingly, and end up in wastewater streams through excretion and disposal. However, certain classes of pharmaceuticals, especially endocrine disrupting compounds are causing negative effects on aquatic organisms, such as sex-changes. Due to the inability of current processes to remove refractory endocrine disrupting compounds, such as 17α-ethinylestradiol(EE2), these compounds persist in wastewater streams. This research evaluates the performance of electro-oxidation process in the disintegration of EE2 in the effluent. Oxidation-Reduction Potential(ORP) was assessed as an indirect measurement at minute intervals for determination of oxidation process. Consecutive electro-oxidation tests were performed with simulated samples at 0 mg/L EE2, 0.3 mg/L EE2, 0.6 mg/L EE2, 0.9 mg/L EE2 concentrations. During testing, it was observed that ORP Levels dropped from initial reading, followed by constant rate of increase at regular intervals. Initial drop in ORP suggests that the complete oxidation of EE2 occurred at average approximated value of 200 seconds. Electro-oxidation appears to be a promising method in oxidation and deactivation of ethinylestradiol. Further studies are needed, including a direct measurement method to implement electro-oxidation at targeted large-scale wastewater application.
This experiment deals with the sustainable application of electro-oxidation for the generation of... more This experiment deals with the sustainable application of electro-oxidation for the generation of sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) from NaCl (aq.) for utilization in oxidation of Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). Okeechobee, located in South Florida is a major crop site. Due to the access of fresh water, most farms surround Lake Okeechobee. However, the overuse of fertilizers has caused the runoff of sulfates, phosphates, and nitrates. The surface runoff promotes the growth of Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). Due to the excessive over-fertilization, a severe blue-green algae bloom devastated South Florida. This project deals with a novel approach to treating Cyanobacteria without harming the ecosystem. Using a DC current, the generation of Sodium Hypochlorite (NaClO) was achieved. The most concentrated Sodium Hypochlorite solution oxidized 96.5% of Cyanobacteria particles after 60 minutes of disinfection. Thus, this novel approach to water treatment is sustainable and can be implemented for large volume flow rate. Future research involves the application of a cost-effective oxidation system. Implementation in global agricultural sites are recommended.
Water softeners are used to soften the hard water and has been proven to be effective and efficie... more Water softeners are used to soften the hard water and has been proven to be effective and efficient. However, water softeners are polluting the environment as brine, magnesium, and calcium are being flushed out in the environment. This project explores the possibility of using electro-precipitation as an alternative method. Data was collected from hard water (well water), electro-precipitated water, and water from conventional water softeners. As shown from data, electro-precipitation decreased the amount of particles in the water. After the experiment, calcium deposit was noticed on the cathode implying that dissolved minerals were pulled out of the solution. Electro-precipitation shows a promising alternative way of the water softening process which is chemical-free, environmentally safe and cheap to operate.
Is air injection a definite replacement for conventional fertilizers? If I test methods of hydrat... more Is air injection a definite replacement for conventional fertilizers? If I test methods of hydration, fertilization, and aeration on plants, then I will observe how aerated water/soil affects the growth of plants. The goal of my project is to provide farmers with a cheap, effective and viable irrigation system that will reduce the need for conventional fertilizers. Although conventional fertilizers are effective, due to surface runoff, phosphates and nitrates contaminate surrounding bodies of water thus disturbing the balance of the environment. If I tested various methods of irrigation on phaseolus vulgaris, I will determine that aeration is an effective replacement for conventional fertilizers because air in the water will distribute moisture near the root zone. To do my project, I created three different methods to test over a period of 15 days. Over the period of 15 days, I found that aeration is an effective replacement for fertilizers as aeration and fertilizing methods had similar results. My hypothesis was proven as aeration methods is proven to be an effective replacement. As a result of this test, the need for conventional fertilizers will reduce. In the future, we can move towards using water efficiently, and reducing the amount of chemicals in the environment. A healthy root system requires a healthy plant which brings increased plant growth. Venturi systems aerates water to eliminate the problem of over-fertilization.