Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Phosphorus Removal and Recovery through Newly Developed Adsorption Technology
EPA Contract Number: EPD17019Title: Phosphorus Removal and Recovery through Newly Developed Adsorption Technology
Investigators: Varshovi, Amir A
Small Business: GreenTechnologies, LLC
EPA Contact: Hahn, Intaek
Phase: II
Project Period: March 1, 2017 through February 28, 2019
Project Amount: $300,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase II (2016) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) , SBIR - Water
Description:
According to the EPA, phosphorus pollution from municipal wastewater discharges, runoff from agricultural operations, and other sources is on track to becoming one of the most expensive and arduous environmental challenges of the future. Commonly used water treatment approaches to mitigate phosphorus pollution and its consequences in small watersheds include the use of chemicals to precipitate phosphorus or algaecides to terminate algal growth. Both approaches require the addition of chemicals to the waterbodies resulting in biomass/sludge build-up, solid precipitates and/or potential toxicity from added metal salts. There is a high demand for alternative technologies. GreenTechnologies' (GT) phosphorus adsorption filter is a disruptive innovation that fills a void in the water treatment industry and addresses the market demand.
GTs' phosphorus adsorption technology removes phosphorus from water bodies utilizing an absorption media that can be regenerated after saturation and reused. Removed phosphorus can then be beneficially reused in other industries. GT's phosphorus adsorption technology eliminates the need for chemical additives and costly sludge management, making it a more environmentally sustainable approach to water treatment than existing alternatives in the market. Moreover, unlike existing technologies, GT's phosphorus adsorption technology can reduce phosphorus to below detection limits, allowing for effective treatment of storm water outfalls that are not currently being managed and treatment of tank water used in aquaculture production. In addition, it can be used as a polishing filter in other industries and markets.
The focus of the Phase II Project was optimization of filter performance and establishment of suppliers, manufacturers and distributors.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
The SBIR Phase II objectives were to evaluate and optimize the technology under a range of conditions as part of commercial development. The objectives were described as follows in the Phase II proposal and the summary of findings follow:
1. Demonstrate the technology at scale in the field . GT identified partners to participate in pilot
projects in two market entry points, 1. community and resort stormwater management and 2. aquaculture. For stormwater maintenance and outflow management, GT worked with golf courses in the Naples area who currently purchase products from GT's existing fertilizer product line. GT sampled storm water ponds onsite at the golf courses to demonstrate effectiveness of the filter technology in the laboratory. Based on the results shared with those golf course partners, field testing will commence in June, 2019. In addition, GT set up and performed field testing of its phosphorus adsorption filtration system on its storm water retention pond at its facility in Jacksonville, Florida. Results from analysis of the filtration system samples show removal of Phosphorus at below detection levels as indicated in the SBIR Phase I results. In addition, GT is actively working with a large aquaculture producer in south Florida. Their facility is still under construction so onsite pilot testing cannot be scheduled until their construction is completed. Their anticipated start-up date is the Spring of 2020
2. Establish product lines . An objective of Phase II R&D was to use the pilot scale data to define and engineer the specific commercial products and associated services to be marketed. The regeneration process was to be engineered in parallel. As a result of initial findings, two (2) different filter prototypes have been designed for GT's phosphorus adsorption filtration system. One design utilizes cut sheets embedded with the filter resin to capture phosphorus. The cut sheets are then "washed" to recover the Phosphorus and regenerated for reuse in the filtration system. The second prototype utilizes cartridges containing GT's filter resin which can be easily removed and replaced onsite. The cartridge design is better suited for stormwater and lake management applications while the filter utilizing cut sheets is more appropriate for the aquaculture industry. The regeneration process is the same for both filtration prototypes.
3. Define requirements of production, manufacture, distribution and service, and identify necessary partners . GT has identified a filter manufacturer to design and manufacture its filter system. Another company has been engaged to provide filter resin size optimization for placement in filters. GT has also established a relationship with a large filter manufacturer and distributor to produce cutsheets with GT's embedded filter resin for incorporation into each filter system. GT is optimistic that this vendor relationship will also result in a distribution partner. GT is still trying to identify the best supplier for its filter resin. GT is exploring opportunities with its current supplier but they have not traditionally produced the base filter resin material on an industrial level. The quality of the base filter resin varies widely among producers and differences in production processes affect the performance of GT's filter. Therefore, suppliers have to be closely screened and material tested before it can be incorporated.
Conclusions:
Efforts to develop a filtration system for the adsorption, removal and recovery of phosphorus at low levels from water bodies have proven to be successful. Activation and regeneration techniques and procedures were refined during the Phase II study to optimize adsorption of phosphorus by GT's ZrP filter resin. Adsorption rates are the key to the commercial viability of the filtration system. Therefore, much time was spent determining thresholds and maximizing adsorption rates. After adsorption rates were maximized, removal of phosphorus and regeneration of the filter resin for reuse became a focus. Successful regeneration was accomplished, rendering the filter resin as effective after regeneration as when it was first activated for adsorption. Regeneration was performed over several cycles and adsorption rates remained consistent even after multiple repeated cycles.
GT designed two (2) filter prototypes for application in its initial identified markets. Filter design was engineered based on anticipated field conditions and ease of use and servicing on a regular basis. Initial design tests and analysis show that designs are conducive to the desired applications.
Phosphorus was recovered from the filter resin after rinsing. The recovered phosphorus was successfully recycled into fertilizer products already commercialized by GT.
COMMERCIALIZATION
GreenTechnologies, LLC has developed a product line of phosphorus filters designed to sequester phosphorus in impaired water bodies without adding chemicals to the environment or requiring large capital investments for expensive equipment. Initial market surveys conducted by GT have revealed tremendous interest in GT's technology in the stormwater and lake management industries as well as in the growing industry of aquaculture.
Two filters have been designed for each market based on typical phosphorus levels and volumes needed to be treated. Costing of filter manufacturing and sourcing of raw materials has commenced. Three companies have been selected for the design and construction of the filters and filter components. The selection for ZrP sources on an industrial level are still ongoing. Filter design parameters continue to be refined based on ongoing field testing but current design models are suitable for market entry.
GT has actively started marketing the roll out of its filter system on a limited basis. GT joined the Sustainable Phosphorus Alliance where it has been an active participant. In addition, GT has joined the Florida Lake Management Society and plans to exhibit at its annual trade show in July. GT has also engaged with filter distributors and is in active discussions with potential distributors to market and sell its filter through their distribution channels.
Competitive advantages in the form of product attributes and organizational strengths play a prominent role in GreenTechnologies commercialization plan for its innovative phosphorus adsorption system. The ability to treat water with total phosphorus levels near 1ppm or below, and reduce these levels even further, to the parts per billion range, opens doors to using GreenTechnologies adsorption system to control algal growth, providing an alternative to the use of algaecides. Furthermore, the ability to regenerate the zirconium-based adsorption resin translates to cost savings for end users. Low capital costs compared to other phosphorus removal systems in the aquaculture market is another competitive advantage that the zirconium-based adsorption system can exploit for commercial success.
SBIR Phase I:
Phosphorus Removal and Recovery through Newly Developed Adsorption Technology | Final ReportThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.