TING, Yen Peng

Associate Professor

PhD (Chem. Eng.) Monash, 1990
MSc (Chem. Eng.) UMIST, 1985
BSc (Chem. Eng.) UMIST, 1982

Contact information
Blk E5, 4 Engineering Drive 4, #02-20, Singapore 117576
Tel: (65) 6516 2190   Fax: (65) 6779 1936
Email: chetyp@nus.edu.sg

RESEARCH

Biosorption of Heavy Metals

A wide variety of microorganisms is capable of sequestering trace levels of heavy metal ions in dilute solutions and concentrating the ions to a very high degree within the cell structure. Present work is focussed on modelling the uptake process, both for the removal of toxic heavy metals, as well as the recovery of precious metals. Freely suspended and immobilized microbial systems are investigated. This project also examines the effect of heavy metal ions on the performance of secondary treatment processes for wastewater and other treatment processes.

Bioremediation and Decontamination

Bioremediation has been recognised as an effective and "green" technology for the remediation of contaminated sites and for the disposal of a broad class of pollutants (including oily sludge). Previous collaborative work with local refineries has demonstrated the potential for the bioremediation of petroleum sludge under local environments. Current work is focussed on the bioremediation of soil contaminated with both organics and heavy metals. In addition, we are also investigating the immobilization of isolated hydrocarbon degraders on several oil absorbents for application in marine bioremediation.

Bioleaching of Metals from Solid Wastes

Some microorganisms are known to be responsible for mediating the mobilisation of various elements in natural biogeochemical cycles. These microorganisms produce organic/inorganic acids that result in the solubilization of metals from otherwise comparatively stable or inert mineral ores. The objective of this project is to assess the potential of exploiting the natural bioleaching capability of selected microorganisms in heavy metals removal (ie. detoxification) or metals recovery (ie. recycling) from solid waste residue.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

S. B. Deng and Y. P. Ting, "Polyethylenimine-modified biomass as a high capacity biosorbent for Cr(VI) anions: sorption capacity and uptake mechanisms", Environmental Science and Technology, 39, 8490 (2005).

S. B. Deng and Y. P. Ting, "Fungal biomass with grafted Poly(acrylic) acid for enhanced Cu(II) and Cd(II) biosorption", Langmuir, 21, 5940 (2005).

K. M. M. Aung and Y. P. Ting, "Bioleaching of spent fluid catalytic cracking catalysts using Aspergillus niger", Journal of Biotechnology, 116, 159-170 (2005).

H. Y. Wu and Y. P. Ting, "Metal extraction from municipal incineration fly ash - chemical leaching and fungal bioleaching", Enzyme and Microbial Technology, 38, 839 (2006).

D. Santhiya and Y. P. Ting, "Use of adapted Aspergillus niger in the bioleaching of spent refinery processing catalyst", Journal of Biotechnology, 121, 62 (2006).