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About
Mickley & Associates
Background
& Experience
(test)
Mickley
& Associates is a Boulder, Colorado-based consulting science and
engineering firm specializing in water and wastewater applications
of separation and treatment technology.
We offer
a wide range of services, from research
and development through permitting of effluent stream disposal.
We can assist in one specific area or provide ongoing assistance
through months and years of program development. Our strong research
and development capabilities combined with traditional engineering
have proven attractive for clients considering:
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Feasibility
studies
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Evaluation
and selection of processing alternatives
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Process
research and development
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Lab-scale,
bench-scale, and pilot performance studies necessary for evaluation, demonstration,
and scale-up
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Membrane
and process technology
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Environmental
assessments and evaluations
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Industry
surveys
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Waste
recycling, reuse, and disposal
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NPDES
permitting
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Master
planning of technical projects
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Technical
problem solving through study, testing, and analysis
Our associates
bring their particular areas of expertise, making Mickley & Associates
an association of consulting scientists and engineers with decades
of experience and relatively low operating and overhead costs.
A major area of focus
has been membrane and process technology. We have researched,
developed, tested, and evaluated membrane products (membranes,
devices, and systems), as well as designed pilot and full-sized
systems and supported their permitting and startup. Since membrane
systems are frequently interfaced with other treatment steps in
hybrid processes, we are necessarily experienced with a wide range
of water and wastewater treatment technologies, including innovative
new technologies. We have developed expertise in the disposal
of membrane concentrate and other waste products.
As a reflection of
our work focus, of our last 30 projects:
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19
have been membrane-related
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13
have involved laboratory research (on our part)
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9
have performed feasibility studies
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7
have developed reference books or documents
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7
have developed software
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3
have conducted industry-wide surveys
Dr.
Michael Mickley's Membrane and Desalination background and experience
Dr. Mickley has over
34 years of experience in the field of membrane and desalination
technology, beginning with thesis work for graduate degrees. This
experience ranges from the theoretical to the practical and includes
research, development and manufacturing experiences with both
products and processes, consulting, giving invited presentations
in the U.S. and Europe, and the teaching of a graduate school
course in membrane technology.
Graduate School
-- This work at the University of Colorado was in connection with
the use of membranes in the biomedical industry.
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Master's
Thesis - concerned with the mathematical modeling of an artificial
kidney membrane device.
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Doctoral
Thesis - involved the theoretical modeling of mass transport
through synthetic membranes and the experimental determination
of concentration gradients and fluxes through membranes using
a laser interferometer.
Cobe Laboratories
-- In 1976, Dr. Mickley began working with Cobe Laboratories of
Lakewood, Colorado, a medical device company whose products included
hollow fiber and flat plate membrane artificial kidneys.
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As
process controller of the hollow fiber artificial kidney manufacturing
process, Dr. Mickley performed a design optimization of the
product, developed quality control procedures, and improved
the manufacturing yield.
As
manager of Advanced Projects Department, he had full technical
responsibilities for the development of a new product line -
a system of hardware and software devices for continuous separation
of plasma from blood by means of microporous membrane technology
and centrifuge technology.
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In
the same position, he had full responsibility for a membrane
development program aimed at the in-house manufacture of less
expensive, high quality membranes for several Cobe products.
He developed a new cellulose solvent system for use in membrane
production, cast flat sheet membranes and spun hollow fiber
membranes at a laboratory scale.
Coury and Associates
-- In 1980, Dr. Mickley began work at this small engineering services
and consulting company whose work included process research and
design for the geothermal, desalination, water treatment and energy
industries. Most of the work did not involve membranes per se,
but much of it involved water treatment.
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Developed
selective ultrafiltration process that utilized complexing agents
to modify transport properties of selected solutes for their
removal and recovery.
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Determined
mechanisms and conditions under which silica scales reverse
osmosis membrane devices.
Mickley & Associates
-- Since the formation of Mickley & Associates in 1984, several
projects have involved membranes.
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Development
of proprietary techniques for modifying surfaces of membranes.
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Taught
graduate chemical engineering course in membrane technology;
sponsored by both the University of Colorado and the National
Bureau of Standards.
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Consulted
for a large mining and mineral company on the cleanup of wastewaters
for recovery of metals and the reuse of water.
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Consulted
for large California power company on treatment of contaminated
groundwaters.
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Three
contracts with the USDA on the modification of membrane surfaces
for membrane processing of irrigation runoff waters.
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One
contract with DOE on developing surface modified membranes for
softening applications.
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Consulted
for major biotechnology company on the use of and cost of membrane
processing in separation and purification schemes.
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Worked
with National Bureau of Standards on a project involving the
research and development and possible commercialization of a
unique type of membrane.
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Served
as member of the ASTM Committee E-48 on Biotechnology; developing
standards in membrane separation of bioproducts.
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Served
on several thesis committees for graduate students in the Chemical
Engineering
Department at University of Colorado for work involving membranes.
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Principal
Investigator on 2-year study to address issues concerning
the disposal of membrane concentrate waste, for the American
Water Works Association Research Foundation (AWWARF). Resulted
in book, Membrane Concentrate Disposal.
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Evaluated
feasibility of new membrane product ideas for leading ion
chromatographic manufacturer.
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Conducted
research (NSF SBIR contract) to develop low-fouling ultrafiltration
membranes.
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Conducted
pre due diligence study evaluating technology, market, and
staff of membrane/membrane device company being considered
for possible purchase by major company.
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Provided
R&D services for a major producer and washer of aluminum cans
for the development of a new detergent system complete with
membrane process recovery of detergent and recycle of process
waters.
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Providing
consulting services for diagnosing membrane performance problems
with commercial membrane systems. Tasks include water analysis,
analysis of scaling and fouling potential, analysis of operating
records, membrane wet tests, membrane autopsy, and analysis
of foulants/scalants.
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Investigated
feasibility of using ultrafiltration and microfiltration ahead
of reverse osmosis as a pretreatment step for various wastewater
applications.
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Developed
small membrane area tests for determination of fouling characteristics
due to irreversible fouling.
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Offered
training sessions for operations personnel of membrane treatment
plants.
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Assisted
several Florida membrane drinking water plants in their permitting
efforts dealing with membrane concentrate discharge to surface
waters.
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Won
the award for best poster presentation at the 1994 Biennial
Conference and Exposition of the American Desalting Association
held at Palm Beach, Florida. The poster was entitled "The
Usefulness of Networking in the Design and Operation of Membrane
Plants."
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Keynote
speaker at the International Water Supply Association workshop
on Membranes in Drinking water Production held in Paris on
March 27 - 29, 1995. Presentation was entitled "Regulation
and Disposal of Membrane Concentrate in the United States."
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Co-chair
of membrane concentrate disposal workshop at AWWA Membrane
Technology Conference held in Reno, Nevada, August 1995. Four
presentations: two at workshops and two at conference sessions.
Titles include: "Promoting the Benefits of Membrane-Produced
Drinking Water" and "Membrane Concentrate and Common
Ion Toxicity"
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(August,
1995) contract from American Water Works Association Research
Foundation (AWWARF) to study of common ion toxicity in membrane
concentrates
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(October,
1995) consulting work for VBB Viak, Stockholm, Sweden in area
of membrane concentrate disposal.
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(November,
1995) gave several presentations as part of a pollution prevention
workshop in San Jose, Costa Rica
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(February,
1996) Invited presentation at the American Water Works Association
Research Foundation (AWWARF) Tampa Technology Transfer Conference:
Meeting The Management Challenge Through Research. February
8-9, 1996. Tampa."
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(April,
1996) Contributing author to Technology Transfer Handbook:
Management of Water Treatment Plant Residuals. April 1996.
EPA/626/R-95/008. ASCE and AWWA.
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(May,
1996) Invited presentation at "The Role of Membrane Technology
for Water Quality Improvement" workshop at Ben Gurion University,
Beer-Sheva, Israel, May 8-9, 1996.
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(December/January
1997) consulting work for Black & Veatch, Gaithersburg, Maryland
on reviewing disposal options for membrane-based plant planned
to treat effluent from computer chip manufacturing plant.
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(February,
1997) Presentation entitled "Essential Ion Toxicity in
Membrane Concentrates" given at American Water Works
Association (AWWA) Membrane Conference, New Orleans.
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(October,
1997) Invited presentation for the annual meeting of the States
Association of Drinking Water Administrators in Savannah.
Topic in membrane concentrate disposal and toxicity issues.
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1997-1999
Consulting work for various Florida drinking water utilities
dealing with membrane concentrate disposal to surface waters.
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(September,
1998) Outstanding Paper Presentation award given for presentation
given at 1998 American Desalting Association North American
Biennial Conference & Exposition, Williamsburg, Virginia,
August 5.
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(Ongoing
October, 1998) grant from Bureau of Reclamation to conduct
an in-depth survey (with emphasis on waste disposal practices)
of all membrane drinking water and wastewater facilities in
the US as well as all public and private thermal desalination
plants in the US; regulations affecting concentrate disposal
will be reviewed on a state-by-state basis; disposal issues
will be identified and discussed
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(November,
1998) consulting work for contractor to Los Alamos National
Laboratories on disposal of membrane concentrate
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(November,
1998) Invited presentation in the United Kingdom to IChemE
Water Subject Group Meeting entitled "RO Membrane Concentrates,"
November 23, Nottingham.
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(1999)
Development of broad laboratory protocol to allow definition
of all causes of toxicity that might be present in membrane
concentrate; this will supplement EPA TIES and Florida protocols
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(February,
1999) Invited presentation given in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
for the AWWARF Technology Transfer Conference entitled "Advancing
the Science of Water: Research Solutions to Treatment, Distribution,
and Management Problems."
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(March,
1999) Bureau of Reclamation grant being extended to include
task of gathering cost information associated with concentrate
disposal.
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(Ongoing)
consulting work for Black & Veatch, Las Vegas, Nevada on definition
and evaluation of thermal desalination technologies for treatment
of membrane concentrate and production of drinking water, and
on disposal of any resulting waste streams; part of Research
and Development of the Saline Shallow Aquifer in the Southeastern
Las Vegas Valley; project funded by Southern Nevada Water Authority.
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