Ernest R. Blatchley III
Ph.D., P.E., BCEE, F.ASCE
Lee A. Rieth Professor in Environmental Engineering
Lyles School of Civil Engineering and
Division of Environmental & Ecological Engineering
Purdue University
550 Stadium Mall Drive
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2051
Office: HAMP 2129
Phone: (765) 494-0316 | Email: blatch@purdue.edu
Curriculum Vitae
Education
| Ph.D. | University of California, Berkeley, Civil (Environmental) Engineering | 1988 |
| M.S. | University of California, Berkeley, Civil (Environmental) Engineering | 1983 |
| B.S. | Purdue University, Civil (Environmental) Engineering | 1981 |
Licenses, Registrations, and Certifications
Professional Engineer, State of Indiana, Registration No. PE60900120
Board Certified Environmental Engineer, American Academy of Environmental Engineers, Certificate No. 06-E0001
Specialty Group
Overview
Professor Blatchley teaches and conducts research in the area of physico/chemical processes of Environmental Engineering.
Specific foci within this area include:
- Theory, methods, and applications of ultraviolet (UV) radiation - The Blatchley group is active in development of fundamental photochemical reactor theory, development of numerical and diagnostic methods, and optimization of applications of UV radiation for treatment of water, air, and surfaces. Applications include those that rely on direct photolysis as well as processes in which a photochemical event initiates a process, often via reactive intermediates.
- Disinfection byproduct (DBP) dynamics - The reactions that are responsible for formation and decay of DBPs are explored, including investigations of mechanisms and kinetics of the underlying reactions, development of analytical methods, and descriptions of the dynamics of interphase transfer, which is especially relevant for volatile DBPs.
- Water and air quality in indoor swimming pools – Exposure to microbial and viral pathogens in swimming pools represents a common form of disease transmission among swimmers. Disinfection processes are applied to mitigate these risks, but are responsible for formation of DBPs that can present chemical hazards to swimmers and other pool patrons. Volatile DBPs have the ability to escape from water to the overlying gas phase, which results in degradation of indoor air quality in these venues. The Blatchley group is active in research to address the mechanisms and kinetics of the reactions that lead to volatile DBP formation in pools, as well as the dynamics of their transfer to the gas phase and consequent effects on indoor air quality.
- Water supply in developing countries: More than 1 billion people lack access to safe, affordable water, yet relevant technical solutions exist to alleviate or eliminate this problem. The Blatchley group is exploring technologies as well as non-technical approaches that offer promise in this area.
Patents
Apparatus for Improving UV Dosage Applied to Fluids in Open Channel UV Disinfection Systems, Ernest R. Blatchley III, Kuang-Ping Chiu, E. Ronald Magee, James M. Kallio, Zdravka Do-Quang, Dennis A. Lyn, U.S. Patent Number 5,952,663; issued 14 September 1999.
Dyed Microspheres for Characterization of Photochemical Reactor Behavior, Ernest R. Blatchley III, Chengyue Shen, Zorana Naunovic, Lian-Shin Lin, Dennis A. Lyn, Donald E. Bergstrom, Shiyue Fang, Yousheng Guan, J. Paul Robinson, Kathryn E. Ragheb, Gerald J. Gregori, U.S. Patent Number 7,842,512; issued 30 November 2010.
Continuous-Flow Solar Ultraviolet Disinfection System for Water, Ernest R. Blatchley III; Eric Gentil Mbonimpa; Bryan Vadheim, U.S. Patent Number 9,546,100 issued 17 January 2017.
Chlorination/UV Process for Decomposition and Detoxification of Microcystin-LR, Ernest R. Blatchley III; Jing Li; Xinran Zhang; Jer-Yen Yang, U.S. Patent Number 10,662,100 issued 26 May 2020.
Publications
Book
Blatchley III, E.R. (2021) Photochemical Reactors: Theory, Methods, and Applications of Ultraviolet Radiation, manuscript completed, publication pending.
Book Chapters
- Blatchley III, E.R. and Coohill, T.P. (2021) “Ultraviolet Disinfection,” Chapter 9 in Block’s Disinfection, Sterilization, and Preservation, 6th Edition, Gerald McDonnell and Joyce Hansen (Eds.), Wolters Kluwer Health, Philadelphia.
- Blatchley III, E.R. (2020) “Wastewater Disinfection,” Chapter 8 in Biological Wastewater Treatment: Principles, Modelling and Design (2nd Edition), Guanghao Chen, Mark C.M. Van Loosdrecht, George G.A. Ekama, and Damir Brdjanovic (Eds.) IWA Publishing, London.
- Blatchley III, E.R. (2019) “Disinfection and Antimicrobial Processes,” in Encyclopedia of Water, Patricia A. Maurice (Ed.), Wiley, New York.
- Blatchley III, E.R. and Thompson, J.E. (2016) “Groundwater Contaminants,” Chapter 5 in Groundwater Engineering Handbook, 3rd Edition (J.H. Cushman and D.M. Tartakavsky, eds.), CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, pp. 127-148.
- Blatchley III, E.R.; Scheible, O.K.; Shen, C. (2014) Innovations and Advances in UV Reactor Analysis and Validation, Chapter 8 in UV Disinfection for Wastewater, Water Environment Federation and International Ultraviolet Association.
- Grady, C., S.C. Weng, and E.R. Blatchley III. 2014. Global potable water: current status, critical problems and future perspectives. In Potable Water: Emerging Global Problems and Solutions. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry. Springer Publishing. 37-60.
- Blatchley III, E.R. and Thompson, J.E. (2006) “Groundwater Contaminants,” Chapter 17 in Groundwater Engineering Handbook, 2nd Edition (J.W. Delleur, ed.), CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, pp. 17-1 to 17-30.
- Blatchley III, E.R. and Hunt, N.K. (2002) “Ozone Disinfection of Drinking Water,” Chapter 15 in Control of Microbes in Water, ASCE, Reston, VA.
- Blatchley III, E.R. (2001) “Non-Ideal Reactor Behavior” Chapter 1.2.3 in Environmental Engineering Processes Laboratory Manual, Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (S.E. Powers, J.J. Bisogni, Jr., J.G. Burken, K. Pagilla, eds.).
- Blatchley III, E.R. (2001) “Process Behavior in Ultraviolet Disinfection Systems” Chapter 2.1.3 in Environmental Engineering Processes Laboratory Manual, Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors Professors (S.E. Powers, J.J. Bisogni, Jr., J.G. Burken, K. Pagilla, eds.).
- Blatchley III, E.R. and Peel, M. (2001) “Disinfection by Ultraviolet Irradiation” Chapter 41 in Disinfection, Sterilization, and Preservation, 5th Edition, S. Block (ed.), Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, pp. 823-851.
- Blatchley III, E.R. and Thompson, J.E. (1998) “Groundwater Contaminants,” Chapter 13 in Groundwater Engineering Handbook, (J.W. Delleur, ed.), CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, pp. 13-1 to 13-30.
- Blatchley III, E.R. and Scheible, O.K. (1996) "Ultraviolet Disinfection," Chapter 7 in Wastewater Disinfection: Manual of Practice FD-10, Water Environment Federation, Alexandria, VA, pp. 227-291.
Refereed Journal Publications
Research Interests
The Blatchley group is active in research related to four general theme areas:
- Photochemical Reactors – Photochemical reactions are often initiated by application of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV-based devices have been demonstrated to be effective in a broad range of applications, including disinfection of water, air, and surfaces; direct photochemical reactions; as well as so-called “indirect processes,” such as UV-advanced oxidation processes (UV-AOPs) and UV-advanced reduction processes (UV-ARPs). The Blatchley group has been active in advancing fundamental photochemical reactor theory, in development of numerical and diagnostic methods for characterization of photochemical reactor behavior, and for optimization of UV-based treatment processes.
- Disinfection Byproduct (DBP) Dynamics – Disinfection processes are applied in a wide range of settings for control of microbial and viral pathogens. These processes can be effective for control of pathogens, but are often accompanied by reactions that lead to formation or decay of DBPs. Many DBPs express adverse human health and/or environmental effects; therefore, disinfection process applications generally involve a balance between the benefits of pathogen control and the drawbacks of DBP formation. The Blatchley group has been active in research related to the fundamental mechanisms and kinetics of DBP formation and decay, as well as development of analytical methods for measurement and characterization of DBPs. Among specific applications, the Blatchley group has led research related to DBP dynamics in chlorinated swimming pools, where opportunities for human exposure tend to be much greater than in other settings. In addition, the chemistry that defines DBP dynamics in swimming pools is generally intermediate to that of drinking water and municipal wastewater. As such, the findings of research related to DBP dynamics in pools translates well to these other, more common applications.
- Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in Indoor Pool Facilities – Swimming is second only to walking as the most common form of exercise in the U.S. In indoor pool facilities, the formation of volatile DBPs, with subsequent transfer to the air space above the pool, has been associated with adverse respiratory outcomes among swimmers, pool employees, and other pool patrons. The Blatchley group has examined the chemistry and physics that govern IAQ dynamics in indoor swimming pool facilities. The information from this research is being used to inform the design of pools to allow improved IAQ in these settings.
- Water Supply in Developing Countries – More than a billion people on earth lack access to safe, affordable water. Engineering solutions are available to address these shortcomings, but non-technical issues often prevent their implementation. The Blatchley group is collaborating with scholars from the social sciences and health sciences to address and overcome the barriers to access to safe, affordable water in developing countries.
Teaching
Current teaching activities by Professor Blatchley include the following classes:
- CE/EEE 350: Introduction to Environmental & Ecological Engineering - Basic principles of environmental engineering are presented, including fundamental tools used to examine environmental systems and solve environmental problems (e.g., material balances, environmental chemistry, elemental cycles). Common environmental applications are presented, including treatment of municipal wastewater, potable water production, air pollution, global air pollution problems (i.e., stratospheric ozone depletion and climate change) and management of solid and hazardous wastes. We also examine approaches that have promise for allowing sustainable, long-term use of available resources, as well as contemporary and emerging environmental issues.
- CE 550: Physico/Chemical Processes of Environmental Engineering - Students in this class learn fundamental principles of physico/chemical processes that are commonly used by Environmental Engineers. Examples are presented from many applications, but the emphasis is on water treatment. The principles that are taught in this class have broad application in Environmental Engineering, and in other disciplines. As such, the focus is on fundamental concepts, so as to prompt their application in a wide range of settings, encourage questions and discussion, and to promote creativity. This class is taught online as part of the Affordable MS Program within the Lyles School of Civil Engineering.
- CE 597 (co-listed as BIOL 595, EEE 595, NUR 599): Water Supply in Developing Countries – This is a student-led, interdisciplinary, service-learning class in which students work with faculty and community members to design, build, and implement community-scale water treatment systems for impoverished communities in the Dominican Republic. Students work with community leaders from the target communities in the DR to develop system designs to address community needs for water. The class is conducted in a holistic manner, such that issues related to public health education, business development, and community engagement are addressed.
- CE 650: Photochemical Reactors: Theory, Methods, and Applications of Ultraviolet Radiation – This class (to be taught for the first time in the Spring 2022 semester) is derived from the book that is being written by Professor Blatchley with the same title. The course provides comprehensive coverage of topics that define and govern the behavior of photochemical reactors, including fundamental principles of photochemistry and photochemical reactors, sources of UV radiation, numerical and empirical methods for characterization of photochemical reactor dynamics, and summaries of common applications. This class is taught online as part of the Affordable MS Program within the Lyles School of Civil Engineering.
Service & Committees
Awards
- EPA Training Fellowship, University of California, Berkeley, 1982 – 1983
- Chi Epsilon, 1994 – present
- Harold Munson Outstanding Teacher Award, School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, 1997
- Roy E. and Myrna G. Wansik Research Leadership Award, School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, 1998
- William Edgar Award for Pioneering Research in Disinfection, Water Environment Federation, 2005
- Diplomate Environmental Engineer (DEE) (aka, Board Certified Environmental Engineer, BCEE), American Academy of Environmental Engineers, by Eminence in the Specialty of Water Supply and Wastewater, 2006-
- Sigma Xi, 2007 – present
- Aquatics International 2008 “Power 25” – Annual list of the 25 most influential aquatics professionals
- Fellow, American Society of Civil Engineers, 2014 – present
- Engagement and Service Award, Purdue University, College of Engineering, 2016. Awarded for leadership in development of interdisciplinary service-learning class entitled “Water Supply in Developing Countries.” The class designs, builds, and implements holistic, community-scale water treatment systems for impoverished communities in developing countries.
- Corps of Engagement Award (with Alex Delworth, Rachel Gehr, Rebecca Johnson, Allison Koeppen, Vicki Simpson), Purdue University Office of Engagement, 2020.
- SEEE Instructional Excellence Award, Division of Environmental & Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, 2021.