Dr. Pierre Bérubé

Professor

Environmental Systems Engineering

Office: CEME 2034

Email: berube@civil.ubc.ca

Phone: 604-822-5665

Publications: Google Scholar

Biography

Dr. Pierre Bérubé is a Professor with the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of British Columbia. He has over 25 years of research and consulting experience dealing with the development and optimization of membrane technologies for water and wastewater treatment applications. Dr. Bérubé actively collaborates with researchers nationally and internationally on a number of research projects funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Canadian Water Network, the Water Environment Research Foundation, and the European Membrane- Network.

Research Interests

Filtration/membrane processes for water/seawater treatment and resource recovery from wastewater; passive technologies for small/remote/decentralized systems; distribution system water quality assessment and modeling.

Courses

CIVL 305 Introduction to Environmental Engineering Applications

CIVL 598X Membrane Technologies for Water and Wastewater Treatment

Awards & Recognitions

  • 2019, Excellence and Innovation in the Water and Waste Industry Award, British Columbia Water and Waste Association
  • 2012-2013, Professor Appreciation Award, University of British Columbia
  • 2011-2012, Professor Appreciation Award, University of British Columbia
  • 2012, Donald R. Stanley Award, Canadian Society of Civil Engineering (CSCE)
  • 2008, Discovery Accelerator, Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada
  • 2002, Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

Student Research Opportunities

Expand to learn more

Thank you for your interest in joining our graduate research team. We are always looking for bright and motivated individuals with a diversity of perspectives, backgrounds, cultures, and personalities.

Successful applicants must 1) distinguish themselves academically, 2) demonstrate passion for environmental engineering, 3) have good communication skills (for international students, minimum TOEFL or IELTS scores of 110 or 7.5, respectively), and 4) be independent and creative thinkers. Successful PhD applicants must also have published at least one paper in a well-respected peer-reviewed journal.

If you meet the above qualifications, you are invited to email a preliminary application with “GRADUATE2023” in the subject line to berube@civil.ubc.ca. The preliminary application should include the following in a single pdf file.

1. A one-page (maximum) statement outlining: 1) your relevant qualifications as a graduate research student in environmental engineering, 2) why you are interested in the type of research done by our team.

2. A brief CV (3 pages maximum) to include contact information of two references.

After reviewing the preliminary applications, potential candidates will be contacted and encouraged to formally apply by Jan 31 for admission the following September. In any given year, 2 to 4 outstanding MASc and/or PhD candidates are selected to join the team. Please indicate in your Statement if you have (or are eligible for) an external fellowship (e.g., an NSERC Fellowship). I look forward to viewing your preliminary applications.

Publications

  • T. C., N.M., P., Bérubé, P. R., and R.C., A., “Impact of Low Coagulant Dosages on Protein Fouling of Ultrafiltration Membranes”, Journal of Water Process Engineering (Short Communications), In Press.
  • R. E, X., L., K.H, T., G., M., F.J., T., Bérubé, P. R., and G., L., “Numerical and experimental investigation of pulse bubble aeration with high packing density hollow-fibre MBRs”, Water Research, In Press.
  • Z. Liu, Lompe, K. Maren, Mohseni, M., Bérubé, P. R., é, ébastien, and Barbeau, B., “Biological ion exchange as an alternative to biological activated carbon for drinking water treatment”, Water Research, vol. 168, p. 115148, 2020.
  • T. A. Malkoske, Bérubé, P. R., and Andrews, R. C., “Coagulation/flocculation prior to low pressure membranes in drinking water treatment: a review”, Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 2020.
  • S. Robinson and Bérubé, P. R., “Membrane ageing in full-scale water treatment plants”, Water Research, vol. 169, p. 115212, 2020.
  • A. S.Z and Bérubé, P. R., “Filtration and Cleaning Performance of PVDF-Based Membranes Aged with Exposure to Sodium Hypochlorite”, Separation and Purification Technology, vol. 195, pp. 253-259, 2018.
  • W. J., M, S., H., W., B., B., and Bérubé, P. R., “The impact of loading approach and biological activity on NOM removal by ion exchange resins”, Water Research, vol. 134, pp. 301-310, 2018.
  • A. N., I., P., V., S., Bérubé, P. R., M., M., and B., B., “Long-Term Performance of Biological Ion Exchange for the Removal of Ammonia and Natural Organic Matter for Surface Waters”, Water Research, vol. 146, pp. 1-9, 2018.
  • H. M., T., O., Bérubé, P. R., and B., B., “Performance of Thin-Film Composite Hollow Fiber Nanofiltration for the Removal of Dissolved Mn, Fe and NOM from Domestic Groundwater”, Water Research, vol. 145, pp. 408-417, 2018.
  • S. M., J, W., H., W., B., B., and Bérubé, P. R., “Biologically-Active Ion Exchange (BIEX) for NOM-Removal and Membrane Fouling Prevention: Synergistic Effects and Impact on Regeneration”, Water Science and Technology, vol. 17, no. 4, 2017.
  • L. A., Bérubé, P. R., and R.C, A., “The Effect of Concentration Factor on Membrane Fouling, Membranes”, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 50-56, 2017.
  • W. J, B., B., and Bérubé, P. R., “Nanofiltration for Surface Water Treatment – Optimization of Hydrodynamics and System Configuration”, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 34-48, 2017.
  • O. P, N., K., and Bérubé, P. R., “Operation of Passive Membrane Systems for Drinking Water Treatment”, Water Research, vol. 115, pp. 287-296, 2017.
  • L. A., Bérubé, P. R., and R.C, A., “Optimization of air sparging and in-line coagulation for ultrafiltration fouling control”, Separation and Purification Technology, vol. 188, pp. 60-66, 2017.
  • P. A., Bérubé, P. R., and B., B., “Physical Cleaning Efficiency of Hollow Fiber Nanofiltration Membranes in Drinking Water Applications”, Physical Cleaning Efficiency of Hollow Fiber Nanofiltration Membranes in Drinking Water Applications, Desalination and Water Treatment, vol. 63, pp. 15-23, 2017.
  • R. S. Abdulla S., Bérubé, P. R., and P., L. C., “Ageing of Membranes for Water Treatment: Linking Changes to Performance”, Journal of Membrane Science, vol. 503, pp. 177-187, 2016.
  • W. J., W., U., and Bérubé, P. R., “Integrated Oxidation Membrane Filtration Process – NOM Rejection and Membrane Fouling”, Water Research, vol. 104, 2016.
  • O. L., Bérubé, P. R., and B., B., “Role of PAC Fines in Fouling of Polymeric and Ceramic Low pressure Membranes for Drinking Water Treatment”, Membranes, vol. 6, no. 38, pp. 1-14, 2016.
  • H. Wray, R.C., A., and Bérubé, P. R., “Coagulation Optimization for DOC Removal: Pilot-Scale Analysis of UF Fouling and Disinfection Byproduct Formation Potential, ”, Water Science and Technology: Water Supply, vol. 16, pp. 473-480, 2015.
  • A. S., Wray, H., R.C, A., and Bérubé, P. R., “Distribution of Surface Shear Stress for a Densely Packed Submerged Hollow Fiber Membrane System”, Desalination, vol. 357, pp. 117-120, 2015.
  • S. C. and Bérubé, P. R., “Reuse of Air for Return Activated Sludge Pumping in Submerged Membrane Bioreactors”, Chemie Ingenieur Technik, vol. 88, pp. 70-76, 2015.
  • B. L., S., J., J., T., Bérubé, P. R., and M., K., “Application of the Electrodiffusion Method to Measure Wall Shear Stress: Integrating Theory and Practice”, Chemical Engineering Technology, vol. 37, pp. 1-14, 2014.
  • Y. D., S., S., and Bérubé, P. R., “Pulse Bubble Sparging for Fouling Control in Submerged Hollow Fiber Membrane Systems”, Separation and Purification Technology, vol. 123, pp. 153-163, 2014.
  • J. S and Bérubé, P. R., “Pulse Sparging for Fouling Control”, Journal Particle and Separation Technology, vol. 134, pp. 58-65, 2014.
  • B. K. and Bérubé, P. R., “Rate and Extent of NOM Removal During Oxidation and Biofiltration”, Water Research, vol. 52C, pp. 40-50, 2014.
  • A. S.Z. and Bérubé, P. R., “Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) Imaging of Membranes: Importance of sample and imaging parameters”, Journal of Membrane Science, vol. 463, pp. 113-125, 2014.
  • W. H., R.C., A., and Bérubé, P. R., “Shear Stress and Rejection of Emerging Contaminants During Ultrafiltration for Drinking Water Treatment”, Separation and Purification Technology, vol. 122, pp. 183-191, 2014.
  • W. H., R.C., A., and Bérubé, P. R., “Ultrafiltration Fouling Control: Comparison of Air Sparging and Coagulation”, Journal of the American Water Works Association, vol. 106, pp. E76-E85, 2014.
  • L. Li, Wray, H. E., Andrews, R. C., and Bérubé, P. R., “Ultrafiltration Fouling: Impact of Backwash Frequency and Air Sparging”, Separation Science and Technology, vol. 49, 2014.
  • A. S.Z. and Bérubé, P. R., “Assessing the Effects of Sodium hypochlorite Cleaning on the Characteristics of PVDF Membranes”, Water Research, vol. 47, no. 14, pp. 5392-5399, 2013.
  • R. I. Thoren, Atwater, J. W., and Bérubé, P. R., “A Model for Analyzing Water Reuse and Resource Recovery Potential in Urban Areas”, CSCE, vol. 39, no. 11, pp. 1202-1209, 2013.
  • J. S. and Bérubé, P. R., “Power Induced by Bubbles of Different Sizes and Frequencies on Hollow Fibers in Submerged Membrane Systems”, Water Research, vol. 47, pp. 6516-6526, 2013.
  • W. H., R.C., A., and Bérubé, P. R., “Surface Shear Stress and Membrane Fouling when Considering Natural Water Matrices”, Desalination, vol. 330, no. 2, pp. 22-27, 2013.
  • C. Stoquart, Servais, P., Bérubé, P. R., and Barbeau, B., “Hybrid Membrane Processes Using Activated Carbon Treatment for Drinking Water Production: A Review”, Journal of Membrane Science, vol. 411, pp. 1-12, 2012.
  • L. Bohm, Drews, A., Prieske, P., Bérubé, P. R., and Kraume, M., “The Importance of Fluid Dynamics for MBR Fouling Mitigation”, Journal of Bioresource Technology, vol. 122, pp. 50-61, 2012.
  • R. I. Thoren, Atwater, J. F., and Bérubé, P. R., “A model for analyzing water reuse and resource recovery potential in urban areas”, Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering (in press), 2012.
  • B. Fulton and Bérubé, P. R., “Optimizing the Sparging Condition and Membrane Module Spacing for a ZW500 Submerged Hollow Fiber Membrane System”, Desalination and Water Treatment, vol. 42, 2012.
  • N. Geismar, Bérubé, P. R., and Barbeau, B., “Variability and Limits of the Unified Modified Fouling Index: Application to the Reduction of Low-Pressure Membrane Fouling by Ozonation and Biofiltration”, Desalination and Water Treatment, vol. 43, no. 1-3, pp. 91-101, 2012.
  • N. Ratkovich, Bérubé, P. R., and Nopens, I., “Analysis of Shear Stress and Energy Consumption in a Tubular Airlift Membrane System”, Water Science and Technology, vol. 64, no. 1, pp. 189-198, 2011.
  • N. Ratkovich, Bérubé, P. R., and Nopens, I., “Assessment of Mass Transfer Coefficients in Coalescing Slug Flow in Vertical Pipes and Applications to Tubular Airlift Membrane Bioreactors”, Chemical Engineering Science, vol. 66, no. 6, pp. 1254-1268, 2011.
  • B. Fulton, Redwood, J., Tourais, M., and Bérubé, P. R., “Distribution of Surface Shear Forces and Bubble Characteristics in Full-Scale Gas Sparged Submerged Hollow Fiber Membrane Modules”, Desalination and Water Treatment, vol. 281, pp. 128-141, 2011.
  • C. C. V. Chan, Bérubé, P. R., and Hall, E. R., “Relationship Between Types of Surface Shear Stress Profiles and Membrane Fouling”, Water Research, vol. 45, no. 19, pp. 6403-6416, 2011.
  • N. Ratkovich, Chan, C. C. V., Bérubé, P. R., and Nopens, I., “Investigation of the Effect of Viscosity on Sludge Flow in Airlift Tubular Membranes – In Search for a Slug Surrogate”, Water Science and Technology, vol. 61, no. 7, pp. 1801-1809, 2010.
  • Z. Geng, Hall, E. R., and Bérubé, P. R., “Roles of various mixed liquor constituents in membrane filtration of activated sludge”, Desalination and Water Treatment, vol. 1, pp. 139-149, 2009.
  • Z. Geng, Hall, E. R., and Bérubé, P. R., “Membrane fouling mechanisms of a membrane enhanced biological phosphorus removal process”, Journal of Membrane Science, vol. 296, no. 1/2, pp. 93-101, 2007.
  • C. C. V. Chan, Bérubé, P. R., and Hall, E. R., “Shear profiles inside gas sparged submerged hollow fiber membrane modules”, Journal of Membrane Science, vol. 297, no. 1/2, pp. 104-120, 2007.

For a full list of my publications, visit my profile on:

Google Scholar