NSERC grants at Laurentian University Subventions du CRSNG `a l ...

120Ramesh SubramanianDevelopment of novel synthetic water-soluble polymersA grant of $18,000 per year.Une subvention de 18 000 $ par année.Discovery Grant – Subvention à la découverteFlocculation is a very important step in many strategically importantsolid-liquid separation processes and it is widely used in mineral processing(improves separation of mineral particles from liquids); raw and wastewatertreatment (removal of turbidity-causing suspended particles and contaminants);sludge dewatering (improves separation of solids from liquids);papermaking (as drainage and retention aids); and petroleum recovery (removesdrilling residue, enhances water-flooding, keeps flow channels open,and increases permeability).In the past 50 years, synthetic water-soluble polymers (cationic, anionic,ampholytic and nonionic) have largely replaced traditional inorganic chemicalslike alum, lime, and ferric chloride, and natural products like starch andgum as coagulants and flocculants. However, with increasing public awarenessand governmental regulations for the environment, both municipal andindustrial effluents are required to meet higher standards.The overall objective of the proposed research is to develop new and improvedwater-soluble polymers that provide improved coagulation and flocculationin mineral processing, raw and wastewater treatment, sludge dewatering,papermaking, and oil or petroleum recovery. The synthesis, characterization,solution properties and performance of water-soluble polymers as coagulantsand flocculants will be studied. A fundamental understanding of molecularprocesses and reaction mechanisms involved during synthesis will be undertaken,and the effect of synthesis techniques on structural characteristics ofsynthesized polymers will be investigated.