396 Navigating Carbon Capture: Water Demands and Wastewater Solutions with Steve Russell

“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 Steve Russell, Senior Process Engineer at Kiewit. 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, and Steve’s expertise provides critical insights for water professionals. As Steve explains, “Carbon capture isn’t just about removing CO₂—it's about managing the water and wastewater byproducts effectively.” 

 Steve’s work with Kiewit involves finding solutions to treat the various wastewater streams generated during the carbon capture process. His experience illustrates the importance of understanding each facility’s unique needs and tailoring water treatment strategies accordingly.  

 Key Insights from Steve’s Work:  

• Understanding Wastewater Composition: Each facility produces different wastewater streams, largely dependent on fuel type and system design.  
• Working Across Teams: Effective carbon capture requires collaboration between water treatment engineers, mechanical engineers, and project managers.  
• Navigating Resource Limitations: Steve shares how he adapts his knowledge to treat complex wastewater streams when resources and data are limited. 

Flexibility and Teamwork  
Throughout his career, Steve has learned that flexibility and teamwork are crucial in tackling complex projects. Working closely with teams across various disciplines allows Steve to develop comprehensive solutions tailored to each project’s specific requirements. 

Top Takeaways: 

• Be Prepared to Adapt: Each project brings its own set of challenges, from wastewater quality variations to resource limitations. 
• Understand the Full System: Gaining a broader understanding of the carbon capture process can help anticipate potential issues and refine water treatment strategies. 
• Leverage Internal and External Knowledge: Steve emphasizes the value of tapping into team expertise and utilizing available resources for innovative solutions. 

Building a Career in Water Treatment Field 
With over two decades in water treatment, Steve shares his career advice for those just starting out or looking to advance. “Learning how to learn is essential,” he reflects. Steve encourages water professionals to build a foundation of flexibility and continuous learning, as the industry constantly evolves with new technologies and environmental demands. 

Steve’s Advice for Water Professionals: 

• Be Flexible and Organized: Expect the unexpected and keep a well-organized knowledge base to quickly adapt to project needs. 
• Build a Support Network: Collaboration and open dialogue with colleagues can accelerate problem-solving and professional growth. 
• Focus on Continuous Learning: Water professionals should embrace learning opportunities within and beyond their primary field. 

Final Thoughts: Flexibility and Continuous Learning 
Steve’s experience reminds us that flexibility and a commitment to learning how to learn are essential in water treatment. Each project is unique and staying adaptable and open to new knowledge is key to navigating complex industry challenges successfully. 

By embracing continuous learning, we drive impactful solutions for sustainability in our field.

Tune in Today! 
Listen to this enlightening conversation by playing the episode above or visiting ScalingUpH2O.com/396 to tune in. Gain insights that will help you navigate your own water treatment challenges and expand your expertise in sustainability.

Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!

Timestamps
01:31 - Trace Blackmore shares his Thanksgiving reflection, Small Business Saturday, and Giving Tuesday
06:44 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 
10:22 – Interview with Steve Russell, Senior Process Engineer from Kiewit about carbon capture technology and its implications for water and wastewater treatment.
51:05 - Drop by Drop with James McDonald 

Quotes  
“Carbon capture isn’t just about removing CO₂—it's about managing the water and wastewater byproducts effectively.”
“Each carbon capture facility is unique, and there’s no cookie-cutter approach.” 

Connect with Steve Russell 
Phone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.kiewit.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-russell-2b0a7960/
Read or Download Steve Russell's Press Release HERE 

Guest Resources Mentioned
IWC (International Water Conference) 
Carbon Capture Water Requirements and Wastewater Treatment by Steve Russell and Eric Eisenbarth 
John Quincy Adam: Militant Spirit by James Traub
Polk: The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America by Walter R. Bornerman
Grant by Ron Chernow
Coolidge by Amity Shlaes
An American Life by Ronald Reagan

Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned 
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Donate To Our 6K World Vision Team
Stellar Factory Werewolf – A Party Game for Devious People
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind 
U.S. Small Business Administration – Small Business Saturday 
307 How to Publish a Technical Paper with Mike Soller 
383 Treatment of Aerospace Machining and Inspection Wastewater with Mike Soller  
351 Maximizing Water’s Potential: Tech and Water Treaters in Perfect Harmony 
342 Beyond Compliance: Empowering Water Experts with In-Depth ELG Insights 
339 Jane Kucera’s Reverse Osmosis Masterclass 

Drop By Drop with James 
In today’s episode, we’re pondering something. We’re pondering ppm or parts per million. This can be a hard concept to grasp at times, so I find analogies to be very helpful to understand this expression of concentration. One minute in 2 years is a part per million. One inch in 16 miles is a part per million. 1 drop in 10 gallons is as well. One milligram in a Liter is 1 part per million, assuming the specific gravity of the liquid is 1, of course. One millimeter in a kilometer is one part per million. Did you know that 1 pound of ANYTHING dissolved in 1,000 gallons of water will give you 120 ppm? A 1% solution, based upon weight, is a 10,000-ppm solution. There are many more analogies out there of course. Find the one that resonates the best with you!  

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.