Organizing Committee Member

Hector Alvarez-Vazquez

Hector Alvarez-Vazquez

Director
Specialized Water Systems Inc
Canada

Biography

Dr.Héctor Álvarez-Vázquez is a systematic energetic leader, Doctor in wastewater treatment position involved in water management schemes through team work and resources. Researching and developing novel and appropriate water conservation methods, and implementing water/wastewater treatment technologies, providing leadership and contribution for water protection issues and potable water supply. REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS AND DATES OF INVOLVEMENT Director Research; Boydel Waseater Technologies; September 2018 up to date. Projects included: Developing the new Boydel’s electrochemical system to reduce soluble BOD to treated effluents <10 mg/L and NH3 to < 5 mg/L, from regular sanitary wastewater. Coordinating and responsible of various treatment trials to achieve best performances of the Boydel technology. Results: Found a new treatment configuration to constantly achieve < 5 mg/L of soluble BOD from sewage treated wastewaters, as well as < 5 mg/L for NH3. Achieved removals > 85% for industrial wastewaters containing selenium, and >87% COD removals for dairy processing wastewaters. Director; Conventional and Wastewater Department and Research and Development, Hyflux, Singapore; March 2015 to March 2017. Projects included: Project management to develop containerized Membrane Bioreactors and Standard Systems to treat domestic type and industrial wastewaters of smaller flows (<1 to 50 MLD). Developing the new generation of submerged HF membranes for MBRs. Supporting business development by designing equipment requested by sales personnel. Responsible of growing the department to produce wastewater treatment plants treating large flows (>100 MLD). Supporting troubleshooting, and operation and maintenance of plants designed and installed by Hyflux. Developing operators training and plant startup protocols. Producing new knowledge on treatment of wastewater by creating new products and developing microbial products for the removal of contaminants from difficult to treat wastewaters. Results: Increased sales portfolio for BD and Channel Sales; effective removal and control of hydrocarbon refractory COD and landfill leachate in Singapore and Malaysia; effective color removal from textile wastewaters for one of the largest textile manufacturers in the world; a 68% of increased flux in Hyflux’s MBR membranes. Project and Product Manager/Research and Development consultant for Electrolytic based Systems; Canada; March 2009 up to March 2015. Projects included: Developing a containerized Electro Coagulation-Membrane based system to treat produce water in various Oil and Gas camps in Alberta. Project and research management to develop electrolytic cells to treat industrial and municipal type wastewaters. Design of a variety of reactor cell configurations and evaluation performance of alternative operating parameters, electrodes material and treatment trains at bench scale level, pilot scale and full scale. Development and design of the pilot plant system to be installed at Orangeville’s WWTP with a capacity to treat influent flows up to 20 LPM. Preparation of proposals and design of full scale industrial wastewater treatment electrolytic cell reactors and coordination to manufacture, test, install and commissioning of 3 small scale electrolytic reactors coupled to a micro gasification solid waste unit, for the treatment of sewage and oily water for one Canadian commercial vessel, one Canadian Coast Guard vessel and a remotely located Bed and Breakfast. Results: Elucidation of appropriate electrolysis treatment trains for industrial and sewage waters, determination of suitable electrodes materials and reduction of 97% in energy consumption requirements. These results were achieved in a record time of 6 months with a $25,000 budget, compared to the previous developed art designed within 7 years and a $7’000,000 research and development budget. $1’000,000 savings in pilot plant design costs. On time and under budget manufacturing, testing, installation and commissioning of 6 electrolytic treatment systems. Senior Technologist; CH2M HILL, Canada; March to December 2008. Projects included: • Project management for evaluation and design of the City of Calgary landfill leachate treatment bench scale and pilot testing. Results: Development of appropriate design parameters of a full-scale membrane based treatment system to meet sewer bylaw standards and to produce a high quality effluent, avoiding toxicological effects in the Elbow River. • Value engineering for the Membrane Bioreactor Component in the final design of an oil sand camp. Results: Savings in the order of 7% from preliminary design. • Participated in the evaluation and design of a membrane-based reclaimed wastewater treatment system, and the 30 km conveying system, of an oil refinery to reuse wastewater treated effluent as boiler feed water. Results: Two pilot units are being tested under site-specific conditions to determine membrane design hydraulic parameters and operation and maintenance costs. Full-scale plant detailed design awarded by the client. • Analyzed the toxicological effects of chloraminated water recycles from an oil refinery to the local WWTP in Fort Saskatchewan. Results: Eliminated effluent discharge surcharge costs for the client and developed potential recycling opportunities of the disposed water back to the refinery. Senior Process Engineer; Earth Tech, Canada; April 2006 to February 2008. Projects included: • Evaluation of process equipment and pre-purchase packages to upgrade wastewater treatment plant effectiveness, effluent quality, and plant capacity of the Municipal WWTP for the City of Grande Prairie, Alberta. Responsible for coordinating and approving equipment suppliers; served as support to process lead to interact and coordinate with other disciplines (mechanical, structural, and instrumentation) during design and tender stages, developed equipment specification documents. Addressed and resolved outstanding issues with contractor during pre-construction and construction phases. Results: Developed suitable design to meet customer needs and future effluent criteria. Met construction schedule and customer satisfaction. • Development of project proposals to evaluate, design and install submerged and sidestream membrane technologies coupled to Biological Nutrient Removal reactors (BNRs) to investigate their suitability to biologically remove Total Phosphorus (TP) parallel to the effective elimination of ammonia, E. Coli, and Total and Fecal coliforms to meet Alberta Environment (AENV) effluent discharge criteria. Responsible for design of equipment bid package and selection of membrane BNR supplier. Led and coordinated final design, fabrication and onsite installation, and developed biological and hydraulic analytical protocols. Results: System rendering effluent levels that exceeded imposed AENV regulations. Development of an appropriate configuration of this novel technique capable to meet stringent treated effluent standards. • Evaluated existing Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) facilities to determine the need for upgrading to accommodate increased population in oil and mine camps in Northern Alberta and Northwest Territories. Results: Significant cost savings to customer by recommending adequate upgrading needs for existing equipment. • Evaluation and approval of compost building equipment and biosolids handling and mixing systems supplied to the new WWTP facility in the Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Fort McMurray, Alberta. Results: Guaranteed processed bio-solids production suitable for land-filling or reuse. • Developed hydraulic profiles in existing municipal WWTP facilities and recommended actions to avoid flooding onsite due to spring runoff. Results: Alleviation of spring runoff flooding. External Water and Wastewater Consultant; Sistemas Especializados Para Agua SA de CV; Tijuana, Mexico; 1994 to 2006. Projects included: • Design of an industrial laundry wastewater treatment system to recover and reuse the water employed to wash rags contaminated with truck oil. Results: Direct process reuse of treated effluent, generating savings in the order of 35% of potable water consumption. • Design and installation of a hybrid (submerged and sidestream) pilot-scale Membrane Bio-Reactor (MBR) for the treatment of stabilized landfill leachate. Analyzed and studied physical, chemical, and biological characteristics (including kinetics) of the sludge, along with membrane aeration and hydrodynamics. Results: Elucidated the direct causes of membrane fouling during the treatment of leachates. Obtained the appropriate loadings and environmental conditions to develop suitable biomass groups to achieve >99.9 percent and 70 percent removals of ammonia and refractory COD respectively. • Design and installation of water and wastewater reclamation and reuse systems for the electronic, mechanical, and laundry industries. Analyzed and evaluated customer motivations for water recovery; conducted laboratory investigations and studied wastewater treatability; made ample cost analyses on investment and payback times; managed meetings with customers, technicians and engineers, and supervised the design and installation of the systems. Results: Reduction on water supply needs, and maintenance costs achieving an average investment payback time from six months to two years, compliance with environmental legislation, and protection of potable water sources. • Design and manufacture of a membrane-based, industrial wastewater reclamation system for the dyeing industry. Carried out feasibility studies and pilot scale trials; examined costs and risks associated to the reuse of the water in the process line. Results: Installation of pilot-scale equipment capable of producing water up to process quality standards; and offering the customer the possibility to save over 75 percent of its potable water supply costs, in an average payback time of eight months. • Introduced the KINETICO brand to the state of Baja, California, as an exclusive dealer of one of the largest water treatment manufacturers worldwide. Searched for the most advanced and user-friendly technology for water conditioning, managed talks and meetings with the manufacturer and customers. Results: Assured constant (24 hours) quality water supply to our customers, and boosted their savings between 35 percent and 45 percent from their previous maintenance and operational costs. • Opened and developed the assembling and manufacturing department. Analyzed and understood market needs, studied most suitable system technologies applicable to cover customer requirements according to water quality standards. Gathered and trained a team of technicians and engineers to begin with the design and manufacturing of water and wastewater treatment systems. Results: High penetration of our products at the commercial and industrial market; increased company profits. Biology, Physics, and Chemistry Instructor; Instituto México/Colegio Niños Héroes; Tijuana, Mexico; 1994 to 1997. Environmental Surveyor; Secretaría de Desarrollo Urbano y Ecología (SEDUE); Tijuana, Mexico; 1991 to 1992. Duties included: • Surveying and identifying companies using water in their production processes • Developing the first all-inclusive database of companies treating their own effluents • Coordinating analyses and studies of treated effluents • Assessing treatment schemes • Implementing water discharge regulations Environmental Engineer; HYUNDAI; Tijuana, Mexico; 1991. Duties included creating the environmental engineering department. Reviewed federal, state and local environmental legislations. Designed a comprehensive management program for wastewater treatment and hazardous waste production; planned hazardous waste storage and handling facilities; formed the network with external environmental consultants. Results: Minimized operational costs, assuring environmental protection and enhancing sustainable development. PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATIONS ACPA: Former Certified Professional Chemist (P.Chem) APEGA: Eligible for P.Eng certification EDUCATION Ph.D., Waste Water Engineering of Membrane Bioreactors, Cranfield University, School of Water Sciences; United Kingdom, 2006 M.S., Marine and Water Pollution, Oregon State University, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences; United States, 1994 B.S., Chemical Oceanography, UABC, Marine Sciences Faculty, México, 1990 PATENTS Inventor of the "System and Method for oil sands tailings treatment" under Patent WO2013016821 A1, published in February 7, 2013 (Patent Owner: Xogen Technologies, Inc.) Co-inventor for "treatment of waste stream through production and utilization of oxyhydrogen gas for the removal of radioactive isotopes” under Patent WO2013075240 A1, published in May 30, 2013 (Patent Owner: Xogen Technologies, Inc.) LANGUAGES Spanish (100%), English (100%), French (basic)

Research Area

25 years of experience in designing and implementing water and wastewater treatment plants; researching and analyzing water quality/quantity standards and supplies; managing interdisciplinary teams of scientists and engineers for wastewater reuse and water conservation; investigating and designing electrolytic systems and membrane bioreactor practices for the treatment of landfill leachate and recycling of industrial and domestic wastewater; analyzing and evaluating potential hazardous waste and marine pollution problems; examining, developing and implementing remedial biotechnology designs; estimating cost and bid preparations; supervising and monitoring of laboratories and analytical processes; developing and leading presentations at international conferences and publishing in a number of international journals. PRESENTATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Large MBR design and Residual handling, WEF webcast, June 12, 2007 Evaluation of operational parameters of a pilot scale MBNR for simultaneous pathogen and biological nutrient removal. WCWWA Annual Conference, Edmonton Alberta, October 23 – 26, 2007. Membrane fouling and control in water and wastewater treatment. Membrane and filters in water and wastewater treatment seminar, Calgary Alberta, January 29, 2007 Membrane Bio Reactors for wastewater treatment. New developments in wastewater treatment technology, Red Deer Alberta, November 30, 2006 4th International symposium on wastewater reclamation and reuse. International Water Association-UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico, November 12 – 14, 2003 6th Symposium for environment and water. Regional Center for Water Studies, Albacete, Spain; September 3 – 5, 2003 Young membranes network. INSA, Tolouse France, July 5 – 7, 2002 Wastewater treatment and normativity. CICESE, Ensenada B.C. Mexico, May 6 – 20, 2000 Water conditioners, backwashing filters and reverse osmosis. Water Group Systems Intl, Cabo San Lucas B.C.S. Mexico, June 24 – 27, 1997 Wastewater treatment: reverse osmosis membrane technology, KINETICO water treatment systems, wastewater treatment systems, pump selection and sizing, chemical treatment. Water Group Systems Intl, San Diego CA. USA, March 26 – 29, 1996 Industrial wastewater treatment. ENCB IPN, Tijuana B.C. Mexico, April 26 and 27 – May 3 and 4, 1995 Extended aeration on wastewater treatment. JET Inc., Cleveland OH USA, December 6 – 9, 1994 PUBLICATIONS Character of extra polymeric substances and soluble microbial products and their effect on membrane hydraulics during airlift membrane bioreactor applications. Water Environment Research, 2008. Alvarez-Vazquez H, Pidou M, Holdner J and Judd S. Evaluation of operational parameters of a pilot scale MBNR for simultaneous pathogen and biological nutrient removal. WCWWA proceedings, Annual Conference, Edmonton Alberta, October 23 – 26, 2007. Alvarez-Vázquez H, Yangang F, Zeljko N, Antrim B and Johnston J. Fouling potential and membrane fouling determination during the treatment of sewage and stabilized leachate using a pilot scale submerged MBR. WEFTEC proceedings; San Diego California, USA October 13 – 17, 2007. Alvarez-Vázquez H, Pidou M, Holdner J, and Judd S. The impact of intermittent aeration on the operation of air-lift tubular membrane bioreactors under subcritical conditions. Separation Science and Technology. Judd SJ and Alvarez-Vázquez H. Separation Science and Technology 41(7): 1293-1302 (2005). Membrane bioreactors vs conventional biological treatment of landfill leachate: a brief review. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 79:1043-1049 (2004), Alvarez-Vázquez H, Jefferson B, and Judd S. Fluid hydrodynamics in submerged and sidestream membrane bioreactors. Water Science and Technology 48:3, 113-119 (2003). Le Clech P, Alvarez-Vázquez H, Jefferson B, and Judd S. Biological treatment of landfill leachate. VI Symposium for Environment and Water, Albacete, Spain (2003), Alvarez-Vázquez H, Jefferson B, and Judd S. Industrial water recycling with membranes. 4th International Symposium on Wastewater Reclamation and Reuse, Mexico City, 2003 Jefferson B, Alvarez-Vázquez H, and Judd S.

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