Grantee Research Project Results

Optimization and Deployment of Biofilters with Ultra-High Surface Media for Highly Efficient Stormwater Remediation

EPA Grant Number: SV840823
Title: Optimization and Deployment of Biofilters with Ultra-High Surface Media for Highly Efficient Stormwater Remediation
Investigators: Kardel, Kamran
Institution: Georgia Southern University
EPA Project Officer: Brooks, Donald
Phase: II
Project Period: September 1, 2024 through May 10, 2025
Project Amount: $99,933
RFA: 18th Annual P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet Phase 2 (2024) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Urban Air Toxics , Endocrine Disruptors , Heavy Metal Contamination of Soil/Water , Water Quality , Water , P3 Awards , P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources , Water Treatment , Lifecycle assessment (LCA)

Description:

This proposal builds on a very successful Phase I proof-of-concept effort to develop and test advanced media as carriers for biofilm bacteria and algae by using the latest 3D printing technology. The media employed in biofilter reactor design for microbial biofilms has traditionally been limited to designs along an axis of symmetry that are amenable to traditional tool-and-die manufacturing processes (e.g., polymer extrusion, injection molding, etc.). The proposed effort is innovative in that it expands the current paradigms in media design complexity, and functionality will be tested to achieve a higher performing biofiltration process. The preliminary findings in Phase I have already been subjected to invention disclosures and might lead to intellectual property and potential commercialization in the future.

Objective:

The objective of Phase II of this EPA P3 proposal is to improve efficiency of biofiltration by advanced media design and by understanding nutrient transport in the biofilm that grows in the media surface. Our goal will be accomplished by achieving the following objectives:

1. Optimization of biofilter media topology with multiple objectives (e.g., max SSA or void ratio).
2. Characterization of microbial biofilm to understand the environmental conditions within the media that promote enhanced nutrient removal performance.
3. Life Cycle Assessment of deployed biofilters in real-life setups.

Expected Results:

The proposed research project is well aligned with the EPA's strategic goal #5 (Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities) described in its FY2022-2026 strategic plan. This goal is stated as to "ensure safe drinking water and reliable water infrastructure and protect and restore water bodies and watersheds" (EPA 2022). Within this EPA goal, our Phase II proposal has the potential of advancing the second objective ("Protect and restore watersheds and aquatic ecosystems") and in particular, the FY2022-2026 Agency Priority Goal ("Invest in water infrastructure to enhance the livability...by addressing the largest sources of pollution"). Indeed, nutrient pollution is a significant source for impaired water across the U.S. The resulting biofilter will offer significant potential towards effective and sustainable treatment for nutrients coming from urban and agricultural watersheds to control eutrophication of receiving water bodies. The proposed filter also provides a cost-effective alternative for stormwater structural BMPs that can be implemented in communities having fewer resources for pollution control.

Expected results for the objective 1:

1. A set of ultra-high surface area designs of filtration media that is shown to improve each of the three objectives: maximize specific surface area, maximize void ratio, and facilitate mixed biofilm colonization.
2. Established correlations (simple models) between the new updated media and its performance that can be used to design better biofilters.
3. Increase in the efficiency of biofilter systems for nutrient removal from stormwater runoff.

Expected results for the objective 2:

1. A better understanding of the biofilm structure will help design better biofilters using optimum media shapes. Results from the biofilter characterization will retrofit the overall media design process described in objective 1.
2. A better understanding of the environmental conditions enhancing or hindering nutrient removal in the biofilter built with the proposed media. The resulting knowledge will help to define the actual application for the proposed biofilters. This will speed up the expected in situ application practices.
3. Increase in the efficiency of biofilter systems for nutrient removal from stormwater to target NPS pollution in urban and rural watersheds.

Expected results for the objective 3:

1. A detailed evaluation of the proposed biofilter field performance and recommendations for future implementation in other watersheds.
2. An implementation plan in case the results from the field experiment are favorable.
3. A set of "sustainability guidelines" for advanced media design based on life cycle assessment.
4. Increased capacity of stormwater treatment systems.

Supplemental Keywords:

Biofilters, 3D Printing, Nutrient Recovery, Biofilm, Additive Manufacturing

Progress and Final Reports:

Final

P3 Phase I:

Additively manufactured novel media for the enhancement of biological in situ stormwater remediation  | 2023 Progress Report  | Final Report