Grantee Research Project Results
Nontoxic Sparker Control of Zebra Mussels
EPA Contract Number: 68D01040Title: Nontoxic Sparker Control of Zebra Mussels
Investigators: Schaefer, Raymond B.
Small Business: Phoenix Science and Technology Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: April 1, 2001 through September 1, 2001
Project Amount: $70,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2001) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Watersheds , SBIR - Water and Wastewater , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
Following their inadvertent introduction to Lake St. Clair, zebra mussels quickly spread throughout the Great Lakes and into many inland lakes, rivers, and canals. Zebra mussels clog intake screens, pipes, and cooling systems and pose a serious problem. Chlorine injection effectively controls zebra mussels, but also produces toxic byproducts, some of which are carcinogenic. Furthermore, regulatory actions in the United States and Canada are expected to eliminate chlorine for controlling zebra mussels. The objective of this project is to demonstrate the feasibility of using high-intensity pressure pulses from sparkers for the nontoxic, low-cost control of zebra mussels.Sparker pressure pulses both prevent young zebra mussels from attaching to surfaces and eradicate attached mature zebra mussels by interfering with feeding. Acceptance of the only commercial sparker for controlling zebra mussels has been limited in part because it requires maintenance twice per day. In addition, potential users are unconvinced that the sparker will work at their sites because the pressure levels needed to control zebra mussels are not known.
In Phase I, Phoenix Science & Technology, Inc., will implement an "innovative" electrode to increase the maintenance time from twice per day to once every 5 weeks. The new electrode will be tested at a commercial water plant, and pressure levels that both prevent and eradicate zebra mussels will be measured. These pressure measurements will be used to begin development of a phenomenological design model for zebra mussel control to support widespread use of sparkers.
Phoenix Science & Technology, Inc., also will design and cost a prototype sparker system for evaluating commercial potential. The prototype would be built in Phase II and used in field tests to determine sparker operational requirements and extend the design model for use with the wide range of pipe diameters, pipe lengths, flow rates, and other characteristics of zebra mussel problem sites. A successful program will result in a nontoxic, practical, low-cost sparker for controlling zebra mussels and for other antibiofouling applications.
Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, water treatment, zebra mussels, sparker, chlorine, chemistry, EPA, biofouling, water, drinking water., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Toxics, Water, Geographic Area, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Sustainable Industry/Business, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Ecosystem Protection, exploratory research environmental biology, Environmental Chemistry, HAPS, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Environmental Monitoring, New/Innovative technologies, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Environmental Engineering, Great Lakes, chlorine injection, sparker pressure pulses, Lake St. Clair, Chlorine, sparker control, chlorine alternative, sparker electrodes, sparker pressure pulse, zebra mussels, zebra mussel controlProgress and Final Reports:
SBIR Phase II:
Nontoxic Sparker Control of Zebra MusselsThe 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.