Budny, 10:00 R03 THE “RIGHT” CHOICE Connor Bassett (cjb114@pitt.edu) The most common mode of flow is called “dead-end mode.” In dead-end mode, flow is directed perpendicular to the membrane, so the particles and other forms of matter being filtered out remain on the surface of the membrane, while the water molecules pass straight through the membrane. Other methods such as cross flow (flow is directed tangential to the membrane) exist but are less common due to higher operating costs and the more complex equipment needed for these methods. [3] BACKGROUND Membrane filtration is a method of water processing that uses a thin layer of material to separate compounds by physical and chemical properties by applying a force across the membrane [1]. These membranes have a wide range of applications, including filtering wastewater, saltwater, and source water to produce potable (consumable) water. The use of these membranes would allow our society to remove the contaminants from existing freshwater and to produce freshwater from salt water. Membrane filtration was first introduced in the 1960’s, but has not become a cost effective method until recently. It is a technology that is continuing to improve and become more cost efficient. [2] THE BAD AND THE UGLY As appealing as all of these advantages of membrane filtration are, we must consider the various side effects of the technology. The membranes, like any filter, must be cleaned to maintain efficiency. This is comparable to a dryer filter. When the filter is not cleaned before doing a load of laundry, the laundry will not be dried as well as it would be if the filter was clean. If the filter is not cleaned after several loads, the laundry will be wet when you take it out. This occurs because as the amount of accumulated material increases, the efficiency of the filter decreases. The same goes for membranes. For a longer period of time in which the membrane is not cleaned, the membrane’s water processing efficiency will proportionally decrease. Now we reach the real issue, what is done with the material that is cleaned off of the filter? In the case of the dryer, we just scrape the lint off and throw it in the trashcan, but it can also be practically used as a fire starter, as it is very flammable. We must ask ourselves, is it ethically acceptable to just dump what is removed in a landfill? Membranes require intensive chemical cleaning to maintain optimal operation, which produces a hazardous byproduct. It should be noted that traditional treatment processes also produce various by-products. There are several different kinds of membranes, each of which removes particles of ascending size. The membranes are named by the processes they perform. “For example, microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), nanofiltration (NF), and reverse osmosis (RO) are four membrane processes that use pressure to transport water across the membrane. MF membranes are capable of removing suspended particles, colloids, and bacteria, while UF and NF membranes can remove macromolecules/natural organic matter and dissociated acids/divalent ions/sugars/pharmaceuticals, respectively. RO membranes retain many solutes as water permeates through the membrane.” [1] A diagram demonstrating this process is shown below. WHERE DOES IT GO? What is to be done with these by-products? Where do we put the substances filtered out, or the chemicals that are used to clean them? How do we handle such matter? Let us consider another comparison. Before the invention of the combustion engine, gasoline was considered a useless byproduct of oil refining. What was done with it? It was burned off in holding tanks the size of small lakes. A limited resource that only a few years ago, we paid over 4 dollars a gallon for Figure 1 [1] Membrane Classifications Based on Pore Size Used in series, these membranes could take wastewater, essentially what you flush down the toilet, and produce potable water of a higher quality than what comes out of the average faucet. University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering 2014-10-28 1 Connor Bassett it. How do we know that we are not faced with the same situation here? What if these membrane filtration by-products are a very valuable resource that we could just be throwing away? Even if these by-products are not a valuable resource, we must ask ourselves, is it acceptable to just throw them in a landfill as many water treatment by-products are? What are the consequences of doing so? Additionally, what consequences are negligible, and how should we make such a decision? The person most often responsible to make such a decision when implementing such a filtration process is the engineer. It is for this reason that codes of ethics exist that engineers are legally required to follow. The engineer must make a decision that will yield the greatest benefit with the least amount of consequences possible. The engineer must take into account the environmental impact (this is why environmental impact reports exist for such projects), the impact on the lives of humans, and the long term consequences of their decision. treatment plant hire a firm which specializes in the cleaning of such membranes, to clean the membranes on regular intervals. This option would be close to the same cost of treating the material at the plant, but would spread the cost over a longer time period. The cost of this option would decrease over time as the technology for treating the byproducts improved, as such a company tends to stay on the cutting edge, while if doing the treatment at the plant the same outdated machines will be used until the next upgrade. THE DILEMMA After work that day, I call my dad. As an award winning, very reputable civil engineer, he is more than qualified to discuss the subject. However, more importantly, he seems to always know what to do in a questionable situation. He first tells me to look at the codes of ethics for the societies of engineers which I am a part of, as they set the rules of what the engineer must do in such a situation. Then he continues that I must meet budget if I wish to maintain upward mobility within the company. He leaves me with the advice that in any situation, there is an outcome that is favorable to all parties, even if it comes at a great cost. [8] I first take the issue to my boss. He tells me that back when he was where I am, they would have just dumped it over the bank and forgot about it. However, as that is not an option, he leaves me to make the decision, but it must meet budget. Faced with a rapidly approaching deadline, I must make a choice, but I do not know what choice is the right one. WHAT DEFINES ACCEPTABLE? Let me propose a situation in which I am faced with the dilemma of the disposal of these dangerous by-products of the membrane filtration process. I am a young project manager and process engineer in charge of my first wastewater treatment process, an upgrade of a 5 MGD plant serving a nearby town, which includes a membrane filtration system. To get this job, my firm bid an amount that despite the warnings of myself and the other process engineers in the office, was quite low. I am currently wading through the design stages of the process, having a very hard time meeting the budget for the project. At project meetings every week, I express my concerns to my superiors, who reply that budget must be met, even if corners must be cut. Despite my efforts to cut costs by cutting out all of the unnecessary atheistic features, the threat of not meeting budget looms overhead. With this advice in mind, I set out on a hike. I have made this particular trip many times before, with a question, issue, or dilemma heavy on my shoulders. I head to the cliffs high atop Cove Mountain across the creek from my house. No matter how difficult the issue, no matter how sticky the situation, the cliffs will answer. There is something about sitting there, about 1600 feet above the bottom of the valley, watching life go on below, that removes you. It both mentally and spiritually removes you from everything that defines our daily lives. Many choices that have brought me to where I am today have been made here. After sitting here sometime, I am sure of the answer. Eventually, during the design stages of the membrane system, I am faced with the decision of what is to be done with the material which accumulates on the filters, and the chemicals used to clean them. There are only a few options that are economically feasible for this project. The first option is simply taking the by-products of the process, as is usually done with the large particles and grit, to the landfill and dumping them there. However, this material is much more reactive and hazardous than standard treatment process grit. Another option would be to add another treatment process within the plant that would take the by-products, chemically treat them, and produce neutral compounds suitable for disposal. This option is the most thorough of all, but is extremely costly, and would put the project well over budget. A final option is to have the municipality which owns the Returning home, I read the codes of ethics as suggested by my father. The first of the fundamental canons of both the ASCE and NSPE codes of ethics state that “Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public” [4] [5], The ASCE code of ethics continues that “Engineers should seek opportunities to be of constructive service in civic affairs and work for the advancement of the safety, health and well-being of their communities, and the protection of the 2 Connor Bassett environment through the practice of sustainable development.” [5] In relation to my dilemma, the last part is of paramount importance. To dump the untreated by-products into a landfill would put the environment at risk and would not be a sustainable practice, therefore violating the code of ethics. human beings. Such a move would be cutting a hypothetical corner in the job, which is not virtuous or effective, and therefore should not be done. Choosing to have another firm handle the cleaning would cost more, but would have the greatest benefit without any environmental impact. In this case, I would chose to have a firm clean the membranes for the plant. It would eliminate the risks of dumping reactive waste into a landfill, making it an ethically acceptable alternative. Having another firm clean the membranes would spread the cost of this additional step of the treatment process over time, allowing the project to meet budget. It would cost the municipality a greater amount of money than dumping the by-products. However, as the only ethically acceptable option with the greatest benefit at the least cost, it is the obvious choice. WORD FROM THE WISE Engineers around the globe are faced with dilemmas such as the one I proposed every day. There is no way to completely avoid such situations, and therefore there exists resources at the engineer’s disposal to help them make the right decision. In addition to these sources, any engineer has a network of other engineers to refer to for aid. For any engineer faced with a decision, problem, or dilemma similar to the one I proposed, I have a method of facing the problem that I would suggest them to consider. First, thoroughly analyze the situation. What factors affect the situation? Who or what is involved? What is at risk? Then proceed to consider every possible option, and the outcome that each would produce. Find the benefits and costs of each outcome. Finally, choose the outcome with the greatest benefit at the least cost that is ethically acceptable. To find what is ethically acceptable ask yourself a few questions. Would I do such a thing to myself or my own property? In decisions such as this before, what choices were made that were regretted? For this question, consider the use of DDT, which had many benefits as a pesticide, but had a huge toll on the populations of many species, such as shellfish and birds. The old saying goes “hindsight is 20-20” and therefore I would encourage anybody in such a dilemma to look into the past at previous decisions that the effects of which can now be seen to determine what they should do. A QUESTION OF ETHICS As the designers of almost every piece of technology, our infrastructure, and many facets of science, engineers have an enormous impact on our lives. When engineering is done right, it contributes greatly to the quality of life. When an engineer makes a mistake, its impact can be great. In his article Ethics in Engineering, William A. Wulf phrased it “Because of the enormous impact of engineers on individuals and society, we also have deep moral and ethical responsibilities”. [6] It is because of this great deal of this responsibility held by engineers that we are legally required to follow codes of ethics. We must, as I did, make our decisions considering the impact of them on all that is involved. However, ethics in engineering do not only involve the impacts of a decision by an engineer. It ranges from this subject to issues such as corruption, interactions between engineers, and professional development. These codes are intended to eliminate corruption, malpractice, and dangerous actions. If every engineer perfectly abided by their respective codes of ethics, our industry would be completely efficient. CONCLUSION Considering the massive amount of influence that engineers have over our lives, they must be held accountable for their actions. Regardless of the situation, as long is there an ethical issue in question during the making of a decision, the engineer must be able to respond in the appropriate manner. The easiest, cheapest, or most beneficial choice is not necessarily the best choice. There can be other impacts and consequences of the decision that must be taken into consideration. Engineers should know and abide by the codes of ethics for their respective societies. If every engineer did so we would have an industry without corruption and other forms of malpractice. However, no single man is fully capable In making my decision in regard to the dilemma I was faced with, I found guidance to the answer in an article by Samuel C. Florman. A particular piece which guided me states “Engineers should be constantly aware that their fellow citizens are relying upon them. As a consequence, if they do their jobs well, they are acting more than competently. In serving their fellow human beings, and serving them well, they are acting righteously. Reliability is a virtue. Therefore, the conscientious, effective engineer is a virtuous engineer.” [7] Choosing to simply dump the remains from the filtration process would be to ignore the effects it could have on other 3 Connor Bassett of defining what is right and what is wrong. For this reason, we have set codes of ethics that engineers must abide by. [10] NSPE Board of Ethical Review. "Public Health and Safety-Delay in Addressing Fire Code Violation." (n.d.): n. pag. Http://www.nspe.org/sites/default/files/BER%20Case%20N o%2013-11-FINAL.pdf. National Society of Professional Engineers, 30 Apr. 2014. Web. 26 Oct. 2014. http://www.nspe.org/sites/default/files/BER%20Case%20No %2013-11-FINAL.pdf REFERENCES [1] Yoon, Yeomin. "Membrane Filtration." - IWA Water Wiki. International Water Association, 30 Nov. 2012. Web. 27 Sept. 2014. http://www.iwawaterwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Articles/Mem braneFiltration [2] García, Dora. 2001. “Fundamentals of Membranes for Water Treatment” Texas Water Development Board. Texas Water Development Board, 9 Oct. 2012. Web. 28 Sept. 2014. https://www.twdb.texas.gov/publications/reports/numbered_ reports/doc/R363/C6.pdf [11] "What's the Angle?" Texas Tech University. National Institute for Engineering Ethics, n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2014. http://www.depts.ttu.edu/murdoughcenter/products/cases.ph p. ADDITIONAL SOURCES [3] Wang, Lawrence K., Chen, Jiaping Paul, and Hung, Yung Tse, eds. “Handbook of Environmental Engineering : Membrane and Desalination Technologies”. Totowa, NJ, USA: Humana Press, 2008. ProQuest ebrary. Web. 27 September 2014. http://site.ebrary.com/lib/pitt/reader.action?docID=10434859 Duke, Mikel, Zhao, Dongyuan, and Semiat, Rafael, eds. New Materials for Sustainable Energy and Development: Functional Nanostructured Materials and Membranes for Water Treatment. Somerset, NJ, USA: John Wiley & Sons, 2013. ProQuest ebrary. Web. 28 September 2014. http://site.ebrary.com/lib/pitt/reader.action?docID=10674814 [4] "Code of Ethics." National Society of Professional Engineers. National Society of Professional Engineers, July 2007. Web. 24 Oct. 2014. http://www.nspe.org/resources/ethics/code-ethics ACKNOWLEDGMENTS [5] Flavell, Eric L., P.E. "Code of Ethics." Code of Ethics. American Society of Civil Engineers, 23 July 2006. Web. 26 Oct. 2014. http://www.asce.org/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/ I would like to thank my father, Britt Bassett, a licensed professional engineer with extensive experience in the process engineering of water treatment plants, for his help with choosing the topic of this paper and pointing me in the right direction for research. I would also like to thank Ben Stutz, Sam Cooke, Orin Keel, and Drew Gordish for their insightful discussions about this paper. Finally, I would like to thank Rebekah Shearer for assisting in proofreading my paper. [6] Wulf, William A. "Engineering Ethics." News Rss. National Academy of Engineering, Fall 2002. Web. 26 Oct. 2014. https://www.nae.edu/Publications/Bridge/EngineeringEthics 7377/EngineeringEthicsEditorial.aspx. [7] Florman, Samuel C. "Engineering Ethics." News Rss. National Academy of Engineering, Fall 2002. Web. 26 Oct. 2014. https://www.nae.edu/Publications/Bridge/EngineeringEthics 7377/EngineeringEthicsTheConversationwithoutEnd.aspx. [8] B. Bassett. (2014, Oct. 23). Conversation [9] Disposing of Toxic Waste" Online Ethics Center for Engineering 3/30/2006 National Academy of Engineering Accessed: Sunday, October 26, 2014 www.onlineethics.org/Resources/Cases/Toxic.aspx 4