Vinny Anderson, PhD 2021, Membrane Filtration Processes for Energy Reduction, Brine Treatment, and In-situ Ultrasonic Biofouling Mitigation
Vinny Anderson completed his undergraduate study in autumn 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering from Ohio State University. He continued into a PhD program within the Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering Department under Dr. Weavers in spring 2016. Vinny’s research focus is on understanding the capabilities and energy demands of novel membrane technologies. His research in the field of membrane filtration began with a coupled forward osmosis – membrane distillation (FO-MD) process to treat flue gas desulfurization (FGD) wastewater. This work investigated the capacity of a coupled FO-MD approach to meet FGD wastewater discharge regulations and provided optimum operating conditions. In addition, the feasibility of utilizing on-site residual waste heat (from the coal fired power plant) to drive MD was studied. With the utilization of waste heat, the FO-MD system may prove to be a sustainable approach to FGD wastewater treatment, obtaining high-quality finished water with minimal energy input.
Vinny’s work then shifted to a second membrane filtration process: electrofiltration. This research focused on characterizing the energy requirements of an electrofiltration process using microporous alpha alumina membranes. In electrofiltration an electric field is applied to a surface charged membrane, generating electroosmotic flow through the membrane’s pores. This work provided a characterization of the specific energy costs (SEC) of electroosmotic flow and gave insight into how electrofiltration may be adopted by full-scale filtration processes.
Lastly, Vinny studied a novel piezoelectric PZT membrane employed for municipal wastewater treatment. When stimulated, piezoelectric materials (including the microporous PZT membrane) transform electrical signals into a physical vibrations. This effect allows for the production of ultrasonic vibrations from within the PZT membrane during active filtration. This work focused on characterization of the piezoelectric response from PZT membranes and evaluation of the effects of ultrasonic vibration on wastewater filtration.
Dr. Anderson is currently a consulting engineer for Strand.
Billy Fagan, PhD 2021, Developing Ultrasonically-Activated Persulfate as a Remediation Technology for Legacy and Emerging Contaminants
Chenyi Yuan, PhD 2017, The Photofate of Pesticides and Dissolved Organic Matter in Diverse Aquatic Systems
Zongsu Wei, PhD 2015, Characterizing Ultrasonic Systems for Improved Remediation of Contaminated Sediments
Ruiyang Xiao, PhD 2012, Sonochemical Degradation of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products
Laura Jacobs, PhD 2008, Photochemical Transformation of Three Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Ibuprofen, and Caffeine in Natural Waters
Maggie Gim Yang Pee, PhD 2008, Sonochemical Sequestration of PAHs in Sediments
Ziqi He, PhD 2006, Sonochemical Remediation of Mercury from Contaminated Sediments
Limei Yang, PhD 2006, Pulsed Sonolysis of Surfactants in Aqueous Solutions
Dong Chen, PhD 2005, Ultrasonic Control of Ceramic Membrane Fouling Caused by Silica Particles and Dissolved Organic Matter
Mikko Lamminen, PhD 2004, Ultrasonic Cleaning of Latex Particle Fouled Membranes
Ping Sun, PhD 2004, Investigation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) on Dry Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) By-products
Miranda McGrothers, MS 2021, Atmospheric Transport of PFAS Compounds from a Manufacturing Facility 
Megan Patterson, MS 2019, Developing Design Standards to enable the use of innovative technology in Ohio Public Water Systems
Alessandro Rosso (University of Udine, Italy), MS 2019, Management of runoff water entering the wastewater treatment plant: case studies in San Pietro al Natisone (IT) and Columbus (OH)
Danielle Kohan, MS 2018, Using Solid-Phase Microextraction to Measure Aqueous PAH release from Contaminated Sediment during Ultrasound
Anton Rosi, MS 2018, Effects of ultrasonic cleaning on membrane-adherent biofilms derived from a laboratory-scale bioreactor
Paola Bottega (University of Udine, Italy), MS 2012,
Maureen Langlois, MS 2011, Using Contaminant Photoreactivity as a Holistic Indicator to Monitor Changes in Wetland Water Characteristics
Yuan Gao, MS 2010, Ultrasonic Control of Ultrafiltration Membrane Fouling by Surface Water: Effects of Calcium, pH, Ionic Strength and Natural Organic Matter (NOM) Fractions
Dawn Deojay, MS 2008, Sonochemical Degradation of OBS
Sindhu Tatimatla, MS 2006, Incorporation of an Ultrasonic Transducer into a Commercial Flat Sheet Membrane for Defouling
Clayton Drees, MS 2005, Sonochemical Degradation of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS)
Xueming Tang, MS 2005, Applying Photoactivated Periodate as a Technology to Decompose Hydrolysates of Chemical Warfare Agents
Liang-Hiong Chia, MS 2003, Photoactivated Periodate as a Novel Advanced Oxidation Technology: Reaction Kinetics and Mechanism of Photoactivated Periodate with 4-Chlorophenol in Acidic Solution
J. Aaron Frim, MS 2001, The Sonochemical Release of Chelated Metals
Maggie Gim Yang Pee, MS 2000, The Application of Sonochemistry for the Destruction of Surface-Active Contaminants
Yifang Lu, MS 2000, Sonochemical Desorption and Destruction of 4-Chlorobiphenyl from Synthetic Sediments