Seulki Yeo, Ph.D.

Thursday, November 21, 2024

1:30pm – 2:30 pm

Ford Activity Room (1520 Engineering Building)

Abstract: On April 10th, 2024, the USEPA announced groundbreaking regulations for 6 PFAS compounds. These regulations set new standards for water quality, with concentration levels measured in parts per trillion (ng/L), marking a historic moment in drinking water regulation. In conjunction with these regulations, the USEPA initiated UCMR5 in 2023, continuing until 2025, monitoring the occurrence of 29 PFAS compounds. Utilities serving over 10,000 people are required to submit quarterly sampling data. The USEPA expects this regulation to potentially impact up to 6,000 public water utilities. Amidst these stringent regulations, water utilities face significant challenges as they navigate treatment options, from uncertainty surrounding treatment longevity to financial constraints. The cost of analyzing samples for PFAS chemicals is rising rapidly, piloting skids are resource intensive and the implementation of capital improvement programs for new treatment facilities requires substantial investment. The pressing question remains: How can utilities costeffectively investigate treatment alternatives while maintaining regulatory compliance and preventing operational disruptions? This presentation will delve into the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in designing PFAS removal systems and its implementation across various water utilities in the US. Granular activated carbon (GAC) is a commonly employed treatment options for PFAS but is often inhibited by the presence of natural organic matter. The presentation will introduce a pioneering AI tool capable of identifying optimal GAC products and maintenance schedules for PFAS treatment as a function of water quality within minutes, without the need for physical tests. This GAC modeling tool can be augmented by blending analyses and cost modeling to determine the impact of changing regulatory targets and potentially hazardous waste regulations for spend absorbent. This AI-based tool offers unparalleled speed, cost-effectiveness, and comprehensive data-driven analysis, revolutionizing GAC assessment in the realm of PFAS treatment.

Bio: Dr. Yeo is a Project Engineer at Hazen and Sawyer. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in South Korea studying Civil and Environmental Engineering. After she finished her Ph.D. at the University of Texas at Austin, she joined Hazen. Her graduate research focused on physico-chemical reactions during coagulation and flocculation. At Hazen, she has worked on multiple projects for treatment process optimization, water treatability testing, and water/wastewater process design. Her current role includes South Central Regional Drinking Water Treatability Testing Lead and the regional PFAS initiative.