384 Innovations in Sunflower Oil Wastewater Solutions with Dr. Swati Sharma
Release Date: 10/04/2024
399 Pinks and Blues: The Science of Serial Dilution
Scaling UP! H2O
Having a product does not mean it’s going to work well. Having a product and having the experience to use it properly, that’s the determining factor. - Trace Blackmore Dive into one of ’s favorite formats: the "Pinks and Blues" episode! In this special installment, Trace tackles real-world questions from water treatment professionals like you, offering clear, practical solutions rooted in chemistry, strategy, and years of experience. From mastering serial dilutions to making the most of leftover competitor products, this episode is all about equipping you with the tools to excel in...
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398 Water Treatment Project Success: Essential Steps for New Facilities and Expansions
Scaling UP! H2O
"Don’t be afraid to ask questions early and often when working with engineering firms or general contractors on your water treatment program... Getting it right the first time is the easiest and least painful way to a long-term successful water treatment program." – Walker Burnette In this episode of the Scaling Up H2O podcast, host Trace Blackmore sits down with , Water Treatment Consultant at to explore the importance of early involvement in water treatment projects for new and expanding facilities. Together, they uncover essential lessons, challenges, and best practices that can make...
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397 Pinks and Blues: How to look at your tests
Scaling UP! H2O
“Your test kit is your tool, and you are the master of that tool. “- Trace Blackmore In this insightful episode of Scaling Up! H2O Podcast, host delves into the critical topic of understanding and optimizing water treatment tests. This episode is designed to equip water treatment professionals with practical knowledge to enhance their test-taking techniques and interpretation skills. The Concept of Pinks and Blues Trace shares the origins of the term “pinks and blues,” coined by his father, and explains its significance in water testing. He stresses the...
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396 Navigating Carbon Capture: Water Demands and Wastewater Solutions with Steve Russell
Scaling UP! H2O
“Learning how to learn is essential. “- Steve Russell In this week’s episode of the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast, we’re excited to share a deep dive into the complex world of carbon capture and water treatment with , Senior Process Engineer at . Host Trace Blackmore and Steve explore the challenges of treating wastewater in carbon capture facilities, including the need for innovative approaches to meet environmental and operational standards. Navigating Carbon Capture: A Process Engineer’s Perspective Carbon capture is a hot topic in today’s industrial landscape,...
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395 A Career Flowing with Purpose: Five Decades of Water Wisdom with Bob Cunningham
Scaling UP! H2O
Here we go! We have the privilege of collaborating with our lab partner , of , a true water industry expert whose journey flows through five decades of dedication, transformation, and insight. Starting his own company 35 years ago, Bob has navigated the currents of change in the field, sharing the lessons that come from a lifetime of experience. For those new to the water industry, Bob’s story will inspire you to write your own chapters with integrity and resilience; for seasoned professionals, it’s a reminder of the profound impact a lifelong commitment to this work can make. What Was...
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394 Visibility and Value: Enhancing Sustainability in Water Treatment
Scaling UP! H2O
By highlighting cost savings, clients can see how efficient water treatment impacts their bottom line. Sustainability isn’t just a trendy term—it’s about implementing practical practices that protect our planet for current and future generations. By adopting sustainable strategies, we can conserve resources, cut costs, and create lasting benefits for both the environment and our client’s businesses. In our latest episode of the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast, we had the privilege of speaking with , CWT, LEED AP of an advocate for water sustainability, who shared actionable insights on how...
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393 High Recovery Reverse Osmosis (HRRO): Expert Guidance on Optimizing System Performance
Scaling UP! H2O
We’re focusing on High Recovery Reverse Osmosis (HRRO) with insights from , Director of North America Application & Sales at . With over 40 years of experience in membrane technology, Ken sheds light on how HRRO is transforming water treatment and tackling industry challenges. Here are the key highlights from our conversation. What is Reverse Osmosis (RO)? Ken describes reverse osmosis as a method for rejecting dissolved minerals and macro-organics from water. He stated, “Today's systems, most of them are using what they call a thin film composite membrane, which are categorized into...
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392 Breaking Barriers: How Diversity and Confidence Drive Growth in Water Treatment
Scaling UP! H2O
“Your most limiting factor is yourself.” - In this week's episode of the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast, we're thrilled to bring you an empowering conversation between host Trace Blackmore and two leaders in the water treatment industry— , Sales Director, and , Service Quality Supervisor at . Together, they explore how diversity fuels success, the importance of overcoming Imposter Syndrome, and how you can take meaningful steps to give back to our industry. Diversity Drives Success: The Data Speaks Diversity isn't just about creating fair workplaces—it's a proven driver of business success....
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391 Multimeter Troubleshooting: Your Guide to Accurate Diagnostics, Part 2
Scaling UP! H2O
We continue our in-depth conversation with , Product Specialist and equipment guru at diving deeper into the technical aspects of multimeter troubleshooting. This episode is packed with practical tips designed to help you navigate the often-confusing world of diagnostics and electrical troubleshooting. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just getting started, Tom’s hands-on advice will guide you through common troubleshooting challenges so you can improve your accuracy and efficiency in the field. Missed Part 1? No worries! You can catch up on to get the foundation before diving...
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390 Multimeter Troubleshooting: Your Guide to Accurate Diagnostics, Part 1
Scaling UP! H2O
In our latest episode, we had the pleasure of welcoming back , Product Specialist and equipment guru at . Tom shared invaluable insights into troubleshooting multimeters—an essential tool every water professional should have on hand during site visits. Here are some key takeaways from our discussion that you won’t want to miss! Why You Need a Multimeter: An Essential Tool for Your Kit Tom emphasized the importance of carrying a multimeter. “This is the tool that checks the controller to ensure you’re delivering your products and services on site while you’re not there. If you need to...
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Discover Breakthroughs in Sunflower Oil Wastewater Treatment: A Special Re-Air of Our Most Popular Episode from 2023
When it comes to oil wastewater treatment, the challenges can feel overwhelming. But what if there was a way to tackle these obstacles with cutting-edge solutions? In this special re-airing of our most popular episode from 2023, Swati Sharma, Ph.D. an expert at Water Engineering Inc. (WEI), walks us through her innovative research that’s helping water treaters around the world.
Her expertise is backed by groundbreaking research, including her thesis titled "How to Estimate the Best Treatment Conditions for Sunflower Oil Wastewater Using Advanced Electrooxidation Process", which she graciously shares with our global audience. Gain insights into electrooxidation processes and valuable advice for aspiring water treatment researchers.
Even if you’ve heard this episode before, we promise you’ll learn something new this time around. Dr. Sharma’s expertise in electrooxidation processes and her passion for solving complex wastewater problems is sure to inspire and equip you to approach your next challenge with confidence.
What makes treating sunflower oil wastewater so difficult?
Sunflower oil wastewater is particularly challenging because it contains high levels of organic pollutants. Traditional methods often fall short, leaving treaters frustrated and looking for better solutions. But as Dr. Sharma shares, every wastewater is different, and each treatment process behaves uniquely depending on the specific characteristics.
“I found that each wastewater was so different in its characteristics, that each of these treatments behaved completely differently. Electrocoagulation (EC) was really good with the canola oil, whereas I found that Electrooxidation (EO) was a better process for sugar beets, which are really high in organic loading.” – Dr. Swati Sharma
How does electrooxidation make a difference?
Dr. Sharma explains that advanced processes like electrooxidation and electrocoagulation offer more precise control over treating specific types of wastewaters. Electrooxidation, for instance, can target and break down organic pollutants more effectively than conventional methods, making it a game-changer for sunflower oil wastewater.
“Wastewater is like math, it’s like a game. You have to understand it and enjoy doing it. It’s a puzzle, you need to connect the dots to make a beautiful picture.” – Dr. Swati Sharma
What advice does Dr. Sharma have for aspiring researchers?
Dr. Sharma’s path to success wasn’t without challenges. In the episode, she offers valuable insights into the importance of persistence and curiosity. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, her advice applies across the board.
“Sometimes your hypothesis doesn’t match your findings and it’s hard. You dedicate so many hours of your life to your study and you are so passionate about this, and it's demotivating at times. But you have to learn what has failed and why it has failed. Find the reason behind your failure and it will lead to your success. That's what I believe in.” – Dr. Swati Sharma
What’s the key to successful wastewater treatment?
Understanding the specific characteristics of the wastewater you’re dealing with is essential to finding the right solution. Dr. Sharma emphasizes that it’s not just about adding chemicals but truly understanding the problem.
“It’s not about the addition of chemicals, it’s about understanding the characteristics of your wastewater. pH, temperature, composition, where is it coming from and where is it going—all of these matters matter. Understanding how this work is important.” – Dr. Swati Sharma
Whether you’re hearing this episode for the first time or revisiting it, Dr. Sharma’s research will leave you better equipped to tackle your next wastewater challenge with new insights and practical takeaways.
Timestamps
01:00 - Trace Blackmore reminds you that next week there will be a new episode heard every day as we celebrate all 5 days of Industrial Water Week
06:00 - Introducing our top five episodes since Industrial Water Week 2023
08:03 - Interview with Doctor Swati Sharma of Water Engineering Incorporated, about
43:30 - Drop by Drop with James McDonald
Connect with Swati Sharma, Ph.D.
Phone: 402.521.4161
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.h2oeng.com
LinkedIn: in/swati-sharma-ph-d-91449518
company/water-engineering-inc
Read the Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
“How to Estimate the Best Treatment Conditions for Sunflower Oil Wastewater Using Advanced Electrooxidation Process” - Thesis by Dr. Swati Sharma
Follow Dr. Swati Sharma on Google Scholar and be updated on her publications
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Top 5 Episodes since 2023’s Industrial Water Week
341 Guarding Against Legionella: The Hidden Dangers of Dead Legs in Water Systems with lab partner Richard Philip Beckett
348 Credentials and Codes: Plumbing Strategies Against Legionella with Christoph Lohr
328 Industrial Water Week 2023: Pretreatment Monday with Wes Bryne
324 Endless Career Possibilities in Industrial Water Treatment with Chelsea Farmer
Books Mentioned
Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Resource Recovery by Inc. Metcalf & Eddy
Drop By Drop with James
In today’s episode, we’re thinking about annual reviews. Yes, annual reviews. They come due before you know it each year. Do you do annual reviews for your customers? If your answer is no, why not? I’ve always found annual reviews to be a great time to remind your customer of the value you bring to their operation. Industrial water treatment is important! Without it, it would cost more for them to operate. In many instances, their operations could be shut down. Plus, there are many safety aspects that good industrial water treatment brings to the table from helping keep boilers from exploding to helping minimize Legionnaires Disease. It’s also a good time to get everyone on the same page to both maintain and improve the water treatment operations. Sure, it could be an opportunity for the end user to complain, but that’s good! Would you rather they have an opportunity to tell you their issues face to face or in an email informing you they’re changing industrial water treatment vendors? Be sure to document the annual review with a prepared document or presentation. Also be sure to follow up on any issues they have and commitments you have made.
Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
