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Research is part of our name at the Waste Management & Research Center (WMRC), and always close to our heart. WMRC supports research projects on pollution prevention technologies, remediation of contaminated DNR lands, the assessment of sources and risks of persistent organic and inorganic pollutants in Illinois, and water and energy management. The results of the various research projects provide valuable information to the scientific and regulatory community in Illinois and throughout the nation. The information is beneficial to Illinois' decision-makers in their efforts to make sound environmental decisions, which will ultimately impact the citizens of Illinois.

FY2006 turned out to be an unusual year. Because of legislative language problems, WMRC's research funds were not made available until late May 2006. Researchers did not receive their normal quarterly payments, so were forced to slow progress on their projects. As a result several projects earmarked for FY2006 completion had to be amended into the next fiscal year. And new contracts were delayed. Despite the delay in funding several projects were completed during the fiscal year and nine new projects were initiated. These are described below.

Research projects completed in FY06

• CMS in Small and Medium Enterprises - Tom Bierma and his colleagues at the Department of Health Sciences at Illinois State University (ISU) found that efficiency performance contracts (EPCs) for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are a marketable approach that rewards suppliers for improving efficiency and reducing waste in SME operations through pollution prevention and energy efficiency (P2E2) innovations. They are similar to programs such as chemical management services (CMS) that have been successfully used in larger enterprises. The research project is examining several barriers to the idea, such as a lack of suppliers willing and able to form alliances necessary to make EPCs successful, and EPC programs may not achieve widespread adoption without efforts by government or non-profit organizations to overcome the barriers.
• Applicability and Scalability of Microfiltration for Recycling Semi-synthetic Metalworking Fluids - Shiv Kapoor and his associates at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), along with Kishore Rajagopalan of WMRC, investigated the applicability of microfiltration technology by investigating the membrane fouling mechanisms at work in the system. They looked at reducing fouling through the adjustment of operating parameters and designed a new semi-synthetic metal working fluid (MWF) that significantly reduced the impact of membrane fouling. This new MWF performed as well as the commercial MWF in tests of cooling and lubricity.
• Development of a Corporate Industrial Energy Management Plan - Ty Woodin and his colleagues at Caterpillar, Inc. finished a new industrial energy management plan which provides a framework for an overall approach to energy efficiency at two of Caterpillar's sites. The successful application of the plan will be a generalized, systematic procedure that all industrial manufacturers may follow in order to maximize energy efficiency no matter the size and activity of the industrial facility.
• Barley Decomposition and Inhibitory Effects on Algae Growth in Wastewater - This study by Jianpeng (Jim) Zhou of Southern Illinois University–Edwardsville gathered new quantitative information on the kinetics of barley straw decomposition in wastewater. Such information will expand our knowledge of this cost-effective and promising means for algae control in wastewater. It also developed design criteria (e.g. loading rates and change-over time of each deployment) of barley straw for algae control. The findings of this project could potentially help hundreds of wastewater lagoons in Illinois to improve effluent quality and meet discharge criteria.

Development of Refractive Index Sensors for Monitoring of Machine Cutting Fluids - Newell Instruments, Inc. worked on the development of a metal cutting fluid (MWF) sensor which gives operators more control for monitoring cutting fluid concentrations. The low cost refractive sensor can be mounted inline with a machine tool's cutting fluid circulation system, eliminating the need for an operator to be in contact with the cutting fluid. The sensor is for continuous monitoring of cutting fluids in their natural state, and allows accurate knowledge of fluid concentration. This allows the operator to machine high quality parts while using a minimal amount of cutting fluid. This will lead to cost savings, health benefits, and reduced environmental impact.

Research projects selected for funding in FY06:

• Isoflavones in the Environment: A Pilot Study (seed project) - The primary objectives of this pilot study being conducted by Jeff Levengood of the Illinois Natural History Survey and Teresa Chow of WMRC will be
  1. To develop a better method for the separation of 16 isoflavones and metabolites in water and sediments/detritus, optimizing sensitivity and the separation of the compounds;
  2. To explore the use of fluorescence detection to increase the sensitivity of detecting some analytes; and
  3. To determine if isoflavones or their metabolites are present in measurable concentrations in water and silt of amphibian breeding habitat in highly agricultural areas in central Illinois. This will be done when tadpoles of a variety of frog species are developing and actively feeding.
• Mercury Concentration in Wetlands associated with Coal-fired Power Plants in Illinois (seed project) - Richard Halbrook and his colleagues at the Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory at SIU received funds to provide preliminary data and protocols for evaluating the current mercury status in wetlands surrounding coal-fired electrical generating plants. The study will also provide a mechanism for monitoring and evaluating the efficacy of efforts to reduce mercury emissions.
• Whole-cell Biocatalysts for Producing Biodiesel from Waste Fats (seed project) - This research project being conducted by Guang Jin and associates at the Department of Health Sciences at ISU will determine whether the micro-organisms that produce four popular lipases used in biodiesel synthesis can catalyze transesterification of yellow grease high in free fatty acids (FFA). The ability to use whole organisms in place of either alkali or purified enzyme catalysts could allow low-cost transesterification of high-FFA waste fats.
• Low-temperature Diesel Fuels, Additives, and Chemicals from Vegetable Oils (seed project) - Joshua Strege and his colleagues at the University of North Dakota Energy & Environmental Research Center are working to develop an economical process for converting vegetable oil into a biodiesel fuel suitable for use in cold weather. Among the benefits to farmers and biodiesel producers will be
  • The local production of a fuel that does not have clouding or gelling issues during winter months,
  • The potential reduction in the cost of this fuel as compared to conventional biodiesel, and
  • The probable elimination of any glycerin by-product that may become a costly waste stream as the biodiesel industry increases.
• Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling for the Restoration of the Calumet Marshes: Assessment of Runoff Scenarios - Yanqing Lian and George Roadcap of the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS), along with Ximing Cai of UIUC, are constructing hydrologic and hydraulic models for the entire Calumet region in south Chicago. These models will be used as a basis for determining the best water management strategies for the Lake Calumet Cluster Site and the adjacent marshes and ponds that it affects. In collaboration with other projects in the area, the researchers expect to evaluate a combination of various measures to help in achieving water flow regime and water quality targets for the restoration of the Lake Calumet region. The region has been used for a waste management site in the past.
• Expanded CMS Pilot Projects in SMEs - Thomas Bierma at ISU will build on earlier efforts to introduce the chemical management system (CMS) model into small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Illinois. The CMS model has been implemented at two SMEs in central Illinois and the companies saw substantial savings in material and energy costs the first two years. The longer-term value of this approach is to improve the competitiveness of Illinois industries to ensure their financial viability into the future.
• Developing the Basis for Creating Environmental Networking Organizations in Downstate Illinois - Susan Morgan and Jianpeng Zhou of the Department of Civil Engineering at SIU–Edwardsville are evaluating the potential for the development of environmental networking organizations in the metro-east region of St. Louis. A large amount of hazardous waste is generated in Madison and St. Clair counties, indicating that there is room for pollution prevention activities. The project will identify potentially interested parties, define the needs of industry, explore the feasibility and usefulness of creating networking organizations in these two counties in western Illinois, and develop a networking organization model. The researchers will then work with WMRC to implement the recommendations of the project.
• Topsoil Modification during Suburbanization: Impact on Demands for Municipal Water – Robert Darmody, UIUC, will investigate the impact on water usage of various construction practices. The study will focus on new construction in northeast Illinois and will address topsoil removal, soil compaction, and associated effects on water percolation rates, and the ultimate impact on water use for lawn and garden watering. The research will help to redefine construction practices that will minimize post-construction water usage and help with water shortages in that region of the state.
• Greening Metalworking Fluids Purchasing Using Multicriteria Methodologies - Michael Plewa and Elizabeth Wagner, UIUC, along with Kishore Rajagopalan, WMRC, are developing methodologies that will help industrial users make intelligent choices in purchasing metalworking fluids (MWFs). The information to be gathered will include evaluations of the functional behavior of the MWFs in various industrial processes, and the toxicity and associated health and safety aspects of the various fluids.

Contents

WMRC Overview Governing Officials Director's Message Where our Funding Comes From ADOP2T Biodiesel The Cutting Edge Partnership 2005 Governor's P2 Awards Greening Schools

Laboratory Services Library & Clearinghouse P2Rx and GLRPPR Patent Issued PNEAC Publications and Presentations Research Program Technical Assistance