Project Narrative
In MacMaster, a small community of 1000, residents have concerns about the runoff of the neighbouring nuclear power plant, whose radioactive contaminants pose health hazards to residents and the environment. To provide MacMaster with safe and clean water, a filtration system is required in the new water treatment plant. The filter will intake contaminated wastewater from the power plant, remove radioactive contaminants, and output clean water. The filtration process should be cost-effective, environmentally safe, and generally efficient. Radionuclide contaminant levels in the output water supply must, under regulation, be lower than those stated in the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002. Furthermore, the filter material must not exceed a threshold stiffness and must have yield strength higher than stresses experienced during operation.
Team’s Work and Personal Contributions
Project Objectives
- ✓ Design a cost-effective filtration system for nuclear wastewater
- ✓ Remove radionuclide contaminants to meet Ontario Safe Drinking Water Act standards
- ✓ Ensure environmentally sustainable material selection
- ✓ Adhere to safety, transport, and packaging regulations for radioactive materials
Technical Constraints
- • Filter must be mechanically durable (stiffness & yield strength thresholds)
- • Must filter 0.1–1 μm particles (micro-filtration scale)
- • Budget-conscious materials with low environmental impact (low CO₂ and energy footprint)
- • Non-toxic, recyclable, durable in water, and manufacturable with elongation
Core Functions
- 🧪 Remove radioactive contaminants like Uranium isotopes, Cs-136, and Ra-226
- 🛡️ Prevent filter deformation or failure under pressure
- 🔬 Provide high pore density while maintaining structural integrity
- 📝 Conform to regulations for effluent and radioactive material handling