Thesis topic:
Intensification of coagulation process
Motivation
Coagulation is a key method used in the treatment of drinking water and wastewater treatment to remove natural organic matter and suspended solids. Although it is a much-researched topic, there are still questions to be asked and answers to be sought.
One of them is the optimization of in-line coagulation with membrane technology. Natural organic matter can negatively affect membrane operation, so it is important to look for the key to targeted optimization and intensification of the in-line coagulation process.
Coagulation may also find its application in the treatment of firefighting water from electric cars fires. Electric mobility is on the rise, yet battery fires are a significant problem. To extinguish an electric car, the car must be immersed in a water bath, which then contains high concentrations of metals, including lithium. These waters then need to be purified, ideally to recover the valuable metals.
Solution
Within the dissertation I will analyze and optimize the factors influencing the coagulation efficiency (pH value, coagulant dose, mixing method...). The thesis will be divided into two main topics - in-line coagulation with membrane technology and coagulation of firefighting water from electric vehicle fires.
The aim of the first topic will be to optimize and intensify in-line coagulation with membrane technology in the treatment of water to drinking water. The effects of natural organic matter on membrane operation, the influence of pH, temperature, and coagulant dose on coagulation efficiency, and the nature of the precipitate formed will be investigated. We will also observe the by-products in drinking water after disinfection.
The second part will then focus on coagulation during wastewater treatment, specifically the removal of metals from wastewater generated during the extinguishing of electric cars fires. The research will involve laboratory experiments with different types of coagulants and their combinations, with the aim of achieving maximum efficiency with minimum chemical consumption. The results of this work may contribute to more efficient and sustainable firefighting water.
Another area of interest/Projects:
- Development of bioplastics as an alternative material to conventional plastics
- Plastics issues in contemporary society and the environment
- Sociological view on environmental issues (water recycling, plastic pollution, climate change)
- Popularization of science and environmental issues for the public
- Developing the professional competences of FET students in the field of water and the environment
- Cooperation on water audits for industrial companies
- Designing reconstruction and intensification of wastewater treatment plants within the framework of the consulting company DHI a.s.
- Digitization and data analysis in water management
Education:
- 2024 - present: UCT Prague, FET, Department of Water Technology and Environmental Engineering, PhD. Student
- 2021-2023: UCT Prague, FET, Department of Water Technology and Environmental Engineering, diploma thesis: “Development of degradable bioplastics and their environmental impact“ (distinction)
- 2017-2021: UCT Prague, FET, bachelor thesis: “Anaerobic degradability of modified starch-based polymeric materials“ (distinction)
Participation in teaching:
- Laboratory Course in Water Technology
- Laboratory Course in Water Analysis
Publications:
- Nová M.: V Česku vznike 11 000 sběrných míst na zálohované lahve a plechovky. Výše zálohy je ještě předmětem debat. SOSinfo.cz, 2023.
- Nová M.: Češi vodou šetří, přesto jí však ubývá. Kde ji brát, když neprší? Pomůže povinnost víc vodu recyklovat. SOSinfo.cz, 2023.
- Nová M., Čadek D., Kadeřábková A., Vurm R., Kofroňová J., Šmejkalová P.: Vliv bioplastů pro jednorázové použití a jejich rozložitelnost v různém prostředí. Vodárenská biologie 2023, ISBN 978-80-88238-26-3
- Nová, M. a Šmejkalová, P. (2022) „Anaerobní rozložitelnost bioplastů", ENTECHO, 5(1), s. 1–8. doi: 10.35933/ENTECHO.2022.001.
- Nová M., Šmejkalová P.: Vliv složení bioplastů na jejich anaerobní rozložitelnost. Vodárenská biologie 2022, ISBN 978-80-88238-24-9
- Cai, Z., Čadek, D., Šmejkalová, P., Kadeřábková, A., Nová, M., & Kuta, A. (2021). The modification of properties of thermoplastic starch materials: Combining potato starch with natural rubber and epoxidized natural rubber. Materials Today Communications, 26, 101912.
Conference proceedings, posters
- Martinková M: Data processing and analysis for the preparation of the digital model of WWTP Pardubice. Mladá voda břehy mele, Czech Republic, 2024.
- Nová M.: Impact of single-use bioplastics and their degradability in different environments. Vodárenská biologie, Czech Republic, 2023.
- Nová M.: Influence of the composition of bioplastics on their anaerobic degradability. Vodárenská biologie, Czech Republic, 2022.