Emerging Issues, Challenges, and Innovations in the Membrane Industry
For this event, AMTA is focusing attention on some of the timeliest emerging issues in the membrane treatment field. For example, among the many aspects of PFAS regulation, numerous regulatory agencies and special interest groups in both North America and Europe are promoting a broad definition of PFAS that would include PVDF – the most common material used in MF/UF treatment systems across the globe. Such a definition could potentially ban the use of PVDF, with uncertain impact on existing systems using the material. The important topic will be a featured element of the workshop program, with extended time for attendee discussion and feedback to inform AMTA’s continued advocacy on behalf of the industry in response. Other featured topics include the advances in both sustainable manufacturing of membrane materials and the commercialization of the world’s first chlorine-tolerant RO membrane, along with an examination of membranes as both a best available technology for removing microplastics and a potential source of this important emerging contaminant. Additional sessions focus on innovative applications of MBR and waste discharge challenges associated with membrane residuals. A session on key membrane innovations stemming from the food and beverage industry is also included.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to tour the City of Ithaca Water Treatment Plant, a recently upgraded 6 MGD microfiltration facility with flocculation and plate settlers for pretreatment. The membrane facility replaced a 100-year old conventional sand filter plant.
For an extended stay, the area offers an assortment of wineries and scenic gorges with plentiful hiking trails to view the fall colors and spectacular waterfalls.
Technical Program
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
SESSION 1: Membrane Materials
Moderator: Brent Alspach, Arcadis
- The Dawn of Chlorine-Tolerant RO Membranes
Sue Mecham, NALA Membranes - Addressing an Increasingly Critical Challenge: The Use of Sustainable Solvents in UF Membrane Fabrication
Xiaobo ‘Max’ Dong, Cytiva - NF/RO Membrane Leachates and Their Fate in Water Treatment: DBP Formation and Permeation
Alma Beciragic, Arcadis
SESSION 2: Next Generation Contaminants
Moderator: Brent Alspach, Arcadis
- The Microplastics Maelstrom: Membrane Rejection or Reservoir
Brent Alspach, Arcadis - Full-Scale Implementation of Closed-Circuit Desalination to Reduce Discharge Flows
Christian Sanders, CDM Smith - Enhanced Phosphate Removal Using Membranes
Dan Hugaboom, Carollo Engineers
SESSION 3: Facility Tours
- Facility Overview – Ithaca Filtration Plant
Ben Movahed, WATEK Engineering Corporation - Facility Tour – Ithaca Filtration Plant
Thursday, October 5, 2023
SESSION 4: Membrane Bioreactors
Moderator: Ben Movahed, WATEK Engineering Corporation
- A New York MBR Story
Anthony Zamarro, CDM Smith - Advanced Recovery and Reuse of Beverage Facility Wastewater
Craig Duvall, Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions - Troubleshooting MBR Process Upsets in Landfill Leachate Treatment
Frank DeOrio, US Water Corp.
SESSION 5: Water Discharge Challenges
Moderator: Julie Nemeth-Harn, Komline-Harn
- Managing PFAS in NF Concentrate – Lessons Learned from Greensboro, NC
Katie Walker, HDR, Inc. - The Specter of PFAS: Combating PVDF Bans Across the Globe
Thomas Lebeau, DuPont Water Solution - PVDF-PFAS Panel Discussion/Audience Feedback
Thomas Lebeau, DuPont Water Solutions
Ben Movahed, WATEK Engineering Corporation
John Tonner, American Membrane Technology Association
SESSION 6: Membrane Innovations from the Food and Beverage Industry
Moderator: Greg Wetterau, CDM Smith
- Membrane Research in Cornell’s Food Science Program
Carmen Moraru, Cornell University - Reducing Carbon Footprint Using Anaerobic MBR
Brian Healy, Global Water and Energ - The Sugar Concentration with NF Membranes – From the Maple Syrup Industry to the Brewing
Matthieu Fortier, H2O Innovation
Registration
Registration for the AMTA Technology Transfer Workshop is now open. For the best prices, register by Monday, September 25, 2023.
Workshop Location and Hotel Information
The Hotel Ithaca
222 South Cayuga St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
The hotel room block is now closed. If you would like to book a room you will need to contact the hotel directly and see if they have any availability. To make a hotel reservation call the hotel directly at (607) 272-1000.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Written cancellation requests received by AMTA on or before Friday, September 25, 2023 will receive a refund, less a $50 processing fee. No refunds and no credits for future events will be granted if requested after Friday, September 25, 2023 (unless AMTA cancels the event). However, substitutions may be made at any time. AMTA reserves the right to make changes in programs and speakers, or to cancel programs when conditions beyond its control prevail. Every If a program is not held, AMTA’s liability is limited to the refund of the program fee only.