The American Membrane Technology Association (AMTA) is pleased to announce that the 2022 recipient of the Ian C. Watson Fellowship for Membrane Advancement is Mr. Christopher Hagglund of the University of Central Florida. Hagglund is a graduate environmental graduate student studying the Evaluation of the Impacts of Blending Nanofiltration Concentrate into the Feed Water of a Reverse Osmosis Membrane Process Treating Brackish Groundwater under the guidance of Dr. Steven Duranceau. Hagglund has a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Central Florida.
“The study evaluates changes in physical-chemical water quality when full-scale nanofiltration (NF) concentrate is blended into the anaerobic feed water of a brackish reverse osmosis (RO) treatment plant to identify possible foulants that the resultant blend may cause. A NF concentrate and RO feed water blending strategy could provide a practical zero discharge NF process operation while the
corresponding dilution of RO source water salinity could lower overall operating costs. This research is important to the industry for advancing the integration of NF and RO facilities in a manner that could improve utility operations cost, performance, and treatment effectiveness.”
“Since completing his B.S. degree, he has excelled in working with me on applied engineering projects with Jupiter Water Utilities. Currently, he is performing a pilot-scale assessment of ‘new’ generation membranes in advance of Jupiter’s impending membrane replacement at its reverse osmosis water plant. He possesses the ability for independent thought, organization skills, and critical thinking,” said Dr. Steven Duranceau.
Advanced treatment of alternative supplies is becoming increasingly critical for long-term water security, and most such alternatives—including brackish groundwater, seawater, and recycled wastewater—require both membrane filtration and desalination technology. Accordingly, innovations in membrane technology have significant potential to reduce the cost, energy, and environmental impact of advanced treatment, yielding clean, safe, abundant, and cost-effective water supplies across the United States and throughout the world.
As the leading professional association dedicated specifically to membrane treatment technology and research, AMTA with its partners administers several fellowships for university students researching the use of membranes for water treatment, with more than $680,000 awarded since 2007. This financial support not only yields cutting-edge innovations in membrane technology, but also provides career development for the industry’s brightest young minds.
“As the professional community of membrane practitioners, AMTA is proud to support our industry’s best young talent,” said Brent Alspach, AMTA’s Fellowship Committee Chair. “The Ian C. Watson Fellowship is fully
funded by AMTA, including generous donations from our membership, which is committed to fostering both innovative membrane research and future industry leaders.”
In 2018, AMTA expanded its commitment to academic scholarship and innovative membrane research by establishing the Ian C. Watson Fellowship for Membrane Advancement in honor of his long and distinguished career dedicated to the beneficial application of membrane technology and his positive influence on both novice and seasoned membrane practitioners. Ian is a modern pioneer of membrane processes and served as AMTA’s first Executive Director. Reed is the fourth recipient of the Ian C. Watson Fellowship for Membrane Advancement.
The American Membrane Technology Association’s mission is to promote, advocate and advance the understanding and application of membrane technology to create safe, affordable and reliable water treatment solutions. Visit www.amtaorg.com for more information.