U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Business Innovation Research
BU*/A
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Arsenic for Point-of-Use/Point-of-Entry 6
ADA Technologies, Inc.
Mercury Carbon Derived Waste Tires [[[ .8
Advanced Fuel Research, Inc.
Ultralow NOX for Process [[[10
Altex Technologies Corporation
Real-Time Mercury Analysis: A Dry Conditioning [[[ .12
Apogee Scientific, Inc.
Solid Scrubber for the Semiconductor [[[ .14
ATMI, Inc.
Filtration™ Air Quality 16
Atmospheric Glow Technologies, Inc.
Technology for NOX 18
Compact Membrane Systems, Inc.
Phytoremediation of Arsenic-Contaminated Soils [[[ .20
Edenspace Systems Corporation
Water Treatment [[[22
Eltron Research, Inc.
A Novel Approach to [[[24
eSpin Technologies, Inc.
of Toxic in the Process 26
Faraday Technology, Inc.
Progestin-Based Endocrine Disruption 28
Fort Environmental Laboratories
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Recovery of Valuable Feedstock 38
Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
High-Speed of Plastic for [[[40
National Recovery Technologies, Inc.
Lead ...... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .42
NITON LLC
of Powder for [[[44
OnMaterials, LLC
A Novel Liquid Leak Detection [[[46
Ophir Corporation
Ultraviolet for of 48
Phoenix Science & Technology, Inc.
Vehicle-Mounted [[[50
Physical Sciences Inc.
Portable Unit [[[52
PlasmaSol Corporation
for Pollution [[[54
Rupprecht & Patashnick Co., Inc.
Gas-Phase for Cost-Effective Mercury Control [[[56
Sorbent Technologies Corporation
Nanoparticle-Anchored Plasticizers 58
TDA Research, Inc.
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8100 Shaffer Parkway, #130
Littleton, CO 80127
Telephone: 303-792-5615
http://www. adatech. com
http://www.amendedsilicates.com
Arsenic contamination in groundwater poses a
severe health risk to populations throughout the
world. In the United States, the problem is most
pronounced in the West, parts of the Midwest, and
the Northeast. In response, EPA announced a
tougher drinking water standard for arsenic, lower-
ing the standard from 50 ppb to 10 ppb. This
change is expected to impact 10% ot the nation's
community drinking water systems. Although sever-
al technologies are readily amenable to incorpora-
tion in large water treatment processes, fewer
options are available for small water systems, partic-
ularly those serving fewer than 500 users.
With support from EPA's SBIR Program, ADA
Technologies, Inc., developed and commercialized
a complete arsenic removal system for point-of-
use/point-of-entry (POU/POE) drinking water sys-
tems. The unit combines a highly effective arsenic
sorbent with an automatic shutoff feature that pre-
vents overuse of the sorbent media. The unit fea-
tures ADA Technologies' new Amended Silicate™
sorbent, a material that exhibits high capacity and
the ability to remove both arsenite and arsenate,
the forms of arsenic that commonly arc found in
well water. Tested in cooperation with Kinetico
Incorporated, the system provides easy-to-maintain
hardware for individual home use or deployment in
small, centrally managed water systems.
ADA Technologies has continued to improve the
performance of the Amended Silicate"'1 sorbent by
modifying the formulation process. Amended
Silicate'" recipes were compared to commercial
granular ferric hydroxide (GFH1. Small-scale column
tests compared the performance ol V8 i,an Amend-
ed Silicate™ formulation) with GFH, with and with-
out pretreatment processing. Columns were filled
with equal volumes of the two sorbents, but
because of the differences in bulk density, roughly
four times more GFH was used by weight. Column
life ranged from 3,500 to more than 5,000 bed vol-
umes when tested with the arsenic challenge water
at pH 8.5. Several electrochemical pretreatment
options were tested. An electrocoagulation (EC)
process removed arsenic to less than 10 ppb by
itself but provided little benefit to the downstream
sorbent columns, while use of acidic electroly/ed
water pretreatmenl extended column lite by
approximately 30%.
Amended Silicate™ cost is estimated at $0.50 to
$2.00/lb, depending on formulation and produc-
tion volume. GFH costs are approximately $3.00
to $4.00/lb. ADA Technologies and CH2M Hill
(Denver, Colorado) formed a joint venture compa-
ny, Amended Silicates, LLC, to promote, produce,
and market Amended Silicate™ sorbents. The ini-
tial focus of the joint venture is commercialization
of a mercury-specific form of Amended Silicates™
for mercury control trom coal-fired power plants.
Isotherm tests have shown that the Amended
Silicate™ can achieve seven-fold higher capacity
versus commercial GFH on a mass basis (150% of
the capacity on a volume basis) when tested in the
arsenic challenge water. This, coupled with the
loviei estimated cost of the Amended Silicate™,
indicates a clear & nnorrw advantage lor Ihe new
sorbent. Electrochemical pretreatment can en-
hance the performance of arsenic sorbents, but the
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economic value will depend stronglv on incoming
water quality. EC treatment may bo suitable as a
primary treatment process for arsenic temov.i! and
can be configured to remove silica from drinking
water.
ADA Technologies also has secured follow-on
funding through a U.S. Air Force SBIR award to
field test Amended Silicate™ for use in small
municipal systems. The company recently com-
pleted assembly of two pilot plants in collabora-
tion with Kinetico, Incorporated.
ADA Technologies, a Littleton, Colorado-based
firm, was founded in 1985 and has established a
solid foundation of proprietary technologies to
address a range of commercial opportunities. In
October 2000, new ownership implemented a
renewed focus on commercialization of technolo-
gy through licensing, sale, joint ventures, and
business manufacturing. ADA Technologies is
establishing itself as a preeminent technology
commercialization company through the develop-
ment and implementation of processes to guide
the entire technology commercialization cycle.
Amended Silicates, LLC, is a joint venture estab-
lished between ADA Technologies and CH2M
Hill to commercialize the sorbent technology. It
represents a significant investment by both parties
Lo Lake this SBIR technology forward into the
marketplace. In addition to ADA Technologies'
relationship with CH2M Hill on Amended
Silicate™ production, the company has teamed
with Kinetico Incorporated (Newbury, Ohio), a
major POU/POE hardware supplier, to address the
issue of column design and aid with sensor integra-
tion activities. Partnering with an established hard-
ware provider is the most efficient method of intro-
ducing the technology into the marketplace.
a severe popula-
the
ologies developed a
Silicate™ sorbents.
ologies' Silicate™ be produced at low cost
ion for
;al is
iherrn te^s demonstrated ADA'S Silicate™
istves arsenic removal is seven times belter a
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87 Church Street
East Hartford, CT 06108-3728
Telephone: 860-528-9806
http://www.afrinc.com
The U.S. power generation industry relies heavily
on coal, burning nearly 1 billion tons per year to
provide heat and electricity. Burning coal, however,
emits mercury into the air, where it contributes to
air pollution and falls to earth again during rainfall,
contaminating water supplies. Consumption offish
exposed to mercury in these contaminated sources
can lead to many adverse health effects. One of the
most effective methods of controlling mercury
emissions from power plants is carbon injection,
whereby activated carbon is injected into the flue
gas stream exiting the boiler and adsorbed onto
participate matter that then is removed. The cost of
commercially available activated carbon, however,
is prohibitive (approximately $0.40-$0.50 cents/lb).
Thus, low-cost carbons are extremely attractive for
this application.
A promising new source for these low-cost activat-
ed carbons takes advantage of waste tires, which
present their own serious environmental problem.
Scrap tires are immune to biological degradation
and thus present formidable disposal problems.
Landfilling of the 2(30 million tires generated each
year in the United States is an unacceptable solu-
tion. In addition to ihe continuous tlow ot waste
tires, there arc approximately 2-3 billion tires al-
ready stored in piles throughout, the country; illegal
dumping also is a problem. The tires take up large
amounts of valuable landfill space, provide breed-
ing sites for mosquitoes and rodents, and present
fire and health hazards. Tire pyrolysis (thermal
decomposition into usable end products like steel,
oil, and carbon black) is an effective method of dis-
posing of scrap tires, but the economic leverage
needs to be improved because the end products
are of low quality compared to the virgin materials.
This leveraging can be accomplished by producing
value-added products such as carbon black, a high-
value feedstock for the rubber industry, and activat-
ed carbon, which is used as a mercury sorbent in
power plants.
With support from EPA's SBIR Program, Advanced
Fuel Research, Inc. (APR), developed
a technology to address both:
(1) removal and recovery of mercury
from combustion/incineration flue , Scrap Tires
gas, and (2) reprocessing of waste |
tires into value-added products.
AFR's approach is based on mercury
adsorption on low-cost, sulfur-rich
activated carbons derived from scrap
tires. The sulfur added to tire rubber Coal
in the process of vulcanization makes
the tire-derived sorbents particularly
effective in mercury removal. The
first step in the waste-tire processing
scheme is pyrolysis, which involves
thermal decomposition of tire rubber
in an oxygen-free atmosphere. The
solid product of pyrolysis (tire char)
subsequently is converted into activated carbon.
The sultur content increases during tire processing,
which is believed to facilitate mercury-capture effi-
ciency. The cost-performance characteristics of tire-
derived carbons are excellent and more favorable
than those of the benchmark commercial carbon,
Norit FCD.
Two possible implementations of the process are
envisioned: (1) sorbent injection into the flue gas
duct (near-term applications), and (2) a patented
regenerative scheme (long-term applications). AFR's
technology for the removal of mercury from com-
bustion/incineration flue gas, which is combined
with ihe simultaneous utilization of massive
amounts of solid waste (scrap tires), has applications
lor coal-tired power plants and municipal, medical,
and hazardous waste incinerators.
pyrofys/s T.. r, activation
„ Tire Char „ Activated Carbon
Parti cui ate
Rersoval
carbon injection
carbon recycling
disposai/H'g recovery
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In another SBIR-supported project, APR devel-
oped a technology based on teptoccssing tire-
pyrolysis oils into viigm < arbon Mack. In addition
to manufacturing carbon black, this process also
creates a market for the large stream of solid
waste comprised of scrap tires. In addition, this
process reduces the demand for fossil fuels, the
conventional feedstock for carbon black manufac-
turing.
APR has secured two patents for the mercuiy
sorbent technology and was invited to participate in
a full-scale Department of Energy/National Energy
Technology Laboratory iDOE/NETL) evaluation of
mercury-control technologies. The invitation was
extended to APR on the basis of data showing
excellent performance characteristics of tire-derived
sorbents combined with their exceptional cost-
effectiveness. Participation in the DOE/NETL pro-
gram is an important recognition of AFR's approach
to mercury control and waste tire utilization. APR
currently is pursuing business arrangements for the
production of ton quantities of tire-derived mercury
sorbents.
Founded in 1980, APR celebrated its 25th
.; anniversary in early 2005. The East
'V Hartford, Connecticut-based company
has 14 employees at present. Through
T SBIR and industrial support, APR has
successfully developed a number of
innovative laboratory and process con-
trol instruments and software products
that today arc serving industrial and academic
clients throughout the world. APR received the
U.S. Small Business Administration's prestigious
Tibbetts Award in 2000 for exemplary achievement
in commercializing technology developed with the
support of the SBIR Program. AFR's success has led
to two spin-off companies: MKS Instruments On-
line Products Croup and the newly formed Real-
Tim e Analyzers, Inc.
Mercurv -emissions from of
wastes the of scrap two serious
APR developed a technology for the of combus-
tion/incineration gas while at the of
solid tires).
Applications of this use in
&^ municipal,
i||, APR has the of
Hi bi:-u'k from oils produced by waste-tire pyrolysis.
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244 Sobrante Way
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Telephone: 408-328-8302
http://www. altextech. com
In many regions of the country, particularly the
Northeast, West Coast, and Texas, ambient ozone
levels exceed the standards established by EPA. A
key precursor of ozone production, nitrogen
oxides (NOX), leads to acid rain and contributes to
ground-level ozone and smog. NOX is produced
trom burning lossil fuels in vehicles and in station-
ary sources such as power plants, waste incinera-
tors, manufacturing plants, commercial buildings,
and homes.
Boilers and process heaters, used in a wide range of
applications such as industrial process heating,
petroleum refining, and chemical manufacturing,
consume approximately 37% of all gas used in
industry and contribute a significant percentage to
overall NOX emissions. For those regions of the
country that are in nonattainment ot ihe o/one
standard, reducing NOX emissions effectively and
economically is critical to their environmental quali-
ty. If NOX is not reduced, oxidants can build up in
the atmosphere and have detrimental effects on
human health, particularly the lungs and eyes.
With support from EPA's SB1R Program, ihe
California Air Resources Board, and ST Johnson
Company, Altex Technologies Corporation devel-
oped and commercialized an ultralow NOX burner
that reduces NOX emissions to below 5 ppm (3%
O2 dry). The innovative burner, called the Ultra
Reduced NOX Burner (URNB), achieves low emis-
sions while maintaining good flame stability and
heat transfer characteristics. The URNB is applica-
ble to a broad range of firetube and watertube boil-
ers and process heaters.
The burner has been designed for natural gas
fuel, with liquified petroleum gas (LPG) as the
backup fuel. The URNB can be retrofitted to
conventional boilers and process heaters, or
incorporated into new equipment. No special
mounting or air and fuel supply modifications are
required, and the URNB consumes 11% less
operating power than alternative ultralow NOX
burners. Unlike alternative ultralow NOX burner
technologies thai use a single tlame /one to
cover all burner requirements, the URNB creates
several flame zones to balance all burner per-
formance criteria.
The URNB is a reliable and low-cost boiler and
process heater emissions control option for nonat-
tainment air quality regions in the United States.
Given the 28 trillion It3 of gas consumed in boilers
and process heaters in the United States, it is esti-
mated that a full deployment of the URNB could
reduce NOX emissions by 36,000 tons/year and
save facilities $93 million/year. In comparison to
postcombustion NOX control devices that cost up
to an additional $20,000/ton of NOX removed, the
URNB could save facilities $720 million/year.
The URNB was tested extensively by Altex Tech-
nologies in the laboratory and by a commercializa-
tion partner, ST Johnson Company, in the field.
The laboratory tests covered system scales of 1MM
Btu/hr, 4MM Btu/hr, and 1 3MM Btu/hr. The field
test WHS sue t cssfully conducted at 25MM Btu/hr
scale in a firetube boiler. The field tests utilized
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third-party EPA souit e testing equipment and pro-
cedures, and were supported b\ the Calilornia Air
Resources Board, under its Innovative Cloan Air
Technology Program. The field Lesl was siiccesslul,
and the URNB now is being sold at scales from
4MM Btu/hr up to 40MM Btu/hr by ST Johnson
Company.
Altex Technologies Corporation was founded in
1985 to research, develop, and demonstrate fuels
and combustion system innovations that increase
effu ie>nt v and reduce emissions at low cost. Altcx
Technologies is located in Sunnyvale, California, in
the. heart of Silicon Valley, where low emissions and
low-cost burners are highly desirable. Allex Tech-
nologies works with manufacturers to implement
successful energy and environmental technologies.
ST Johnson Company, the licensed manufacturer of
the URNB, was founded in 1903, and is located in
Oakland, California. The URNB expands the com-
pany's product line to include ultralow NOX burn-
ers, as well as low NOX and conventional burners,
for markets outside nonattainment regions.
"\ process to
issions.
logics Corporation the Ultra Reduced NOX
low-cost boiler
air in the United
of the URNB, NOX be reduced by
il<
ve to
is/year to NOX could be reduced by $93
•:• is at up to
;./hr by ST Company.
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2895 West Oxford Avenue, Suite 1
Englewood, CO 80110-4397
Telephone: 303-783-9599
http://www.apogee-sci.com
Vapor-phase mercury emitted from the combustion
of coal is recognized as a serious threat to the
nation's air quality and public health. Mercury is a
toxic, persistent pollutant that accumulates in the
food chain. Concentrations of mercury in the air
are usually low and of little direct concern; however,
mercury in the air tails onto the Earth's surlace
through rain and snow and enters lakes, streams,
and estuaries. Once there, mercury transforms to its
most toxic form, methyl mercury. Concentrations of
methyl mercury can build up in fish and animal tis-
sues—people are exposed to mercury primarily by
eating fish.
In March 2005, EPA directed coal-fired power plants
to reduce mercury emissions by almost 22% in the
next 5 years. In addition, several individual states
have voiced the possibility ol issuing their own mer-
cury regulations. At this point, only two states,
Massachusetts and Wisconsin, have issued mercury
regulations; however, many other states, including
New Jersey and Minnesota, are examining their own
mercury regulations.
With support from EPA's SBIR Program and the
Electric Power Research Institute, Apogee Scientific,
Inc., developed an advanced dry-catalytic gas sam-
ple conditioning system for use in the determina-
tion of in-duct mercury concentrations in coal-fired
utility boilers. The Apogee Dry Sample Condi-
tioning System (DSCS) represents a breakthrough in
real-time mercury measurement technology. To
date, the measurement of mercury concentrations
in the exhaust streams of coal-fired utility boilers
has been accomplished using wet-chemical
impinger-based conditioning systems that are
expensive to run and prone to problems. For real-
time mercury monitoring to become a reality in
terms of compliance monitoring, a dry-based sam-
ple conditioning system is a necessity.
The DSCS uses catalytic material in a reducing
environment, created via the combustion of a
hydrocarbon fuel, to ensure the complete conver-
sion of all forms (species) of vapor-phase mercury
to the elemental state (Hg°). Current mercury
detectors are only capable of measuring elemental
mercury, and oxidi/ed lorms of mercury are very
difficult to transport reliably.
An additional innovation was a modification to
allow for operation at facilities where vapor-phase
selenium compounds arc present. The DSCS
removes interference due to selenium compounds
without adversely affecting the mercury measure-
ments.
The DSCS takes the needed step towards reliability
and automation to enable mercury monitoring for
use as a compliance tool. The system removes the
need for extensive labor and the costs associated
with monitoring and managing a wet-chemical
based sample conditioning system. Additionally, the
system is inexpensive to operate and has been
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shown to be very reliable. Apogee Suentitic has
tested the DSCS technology at a vanet\ ol power
plants representing a large fraction ot the modern
coal-generation facilities in the United Stales.
Testing occurred continuously for periods of
between 1 Lo 3 weeks al each of lour sites. Data
were collected demonstrating the accuracy stability,
and robustness of the system.
The DSCS technology is continuing to be tested
and refined by Apogee Scientific as a solution to
mercury monitoring needs. Extensive testing is
required to assure long-term stability and further
refine the ultimate design. Although the system still
is considered to be in a "beta" testing form, the
promise of the technology already is being recog-
nized. Apogee Scientific recently operated the
DSCS at a utility facility for more than 3 months of
continuous operation to demonstrate and evaluate
the longevity and long-term durability of the sys-
tem and design. Based on the strong results of this
demonstration, Apogee Scientific has started enter-
taining the first commercial requests for this tech-
nology. The company plans to begin selling com-
mercial units, and is actively seeking commercial
partners to couple the system with other leading
mercury monitoring technologies.
Hifiiwv
Founded in 1993, Apogee Scientific, Inc., is an
advanced technology small business located in
Englewood, Colorado. Apogee Scicntific's utility
experiences include real-time total, elemental, and
oxidized vapor-phase mercury measurement servic-
es using state-of-the-art continuous emissions moni-
tors that have been used at more than 30 power
generation sites burning bituminous, subbituminous,
or lignite coals. Apogee Scientific has developed a
patented flue gas extraction system that couples
with a sample conditioning syslem, such as
Apogee's DSCS, followed by a commercially avail-
able elemental mercury monitor. The company has
a staff of 10 and annual revenues of approximately
$1.5 million.
<•";•(por-phase mercury is a
hreat to the air quality
vpogee's Dry (DSCS) operated successfully
f a utility facility for 3 to the
(Higevity of the
"'he technology the for the costs associated
vir.h a
AjX>i.!te';i DSCS is a to
enable mercurv monitoring for use as a tool.
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7 Commerce Drive
Danbury,CT 06810
Telephone: 203-794-1100
http://www.atmi.com
The rapid growth of the American microelectronics
industry has spawned new environmental chal-
lenges associated with the processes used to pre-
pare semiconductor chips, key components of
many sophisticated electronic devices. Harmful
chemicals including silane, phosphine, and arsine
are used during semiconductor fabrication in a
process called chemical vapor deposition (CVD).
Although most large companies have built facilities
for handling these materials, smaller manufacturers
have vented the gases into the atmosphere or used
similarly unacceptable techniques. With increasing
production, however, venting is no longer an op-
tion. The Emergency Planning and Community
Right-to-Know Act designates silane, phosphine,
and arsine as extremely hazardous chemicals used
by the semiconductor industry; these chemicals
also are regulated as toxic chemicals under the
Clean Air Act.
With support from EPAs SBIR Program, ATM I, Inc.,
developed an innovative solid scrubbing material
designed especially to reduce toxic air emissions
from the semiconductor industry. With 30 times the
capacity ol activated carbon, the new material
became the core of the Novapure Dry Scrubber
System that was introduced into the market in
1991. The Novapure System has broad application
in the electronics industry and in research and
development institutions where small amounts of
hazardous materials are routinely employed in CVD
processes.
ATMI process scrubbers arc smaller than traditional
air pollution control equipment. Instead ol a single
large installation outside a fabrication plant, ATMI's
abatement products are small enough to be located
at each individual pollution source.
ATMI's scrubber system transforms these toxic gases
into nonvolatile, benign solids through chemical
adsorption. By neutralizing, solidifying, and con-
centrating hazardous ellluent up to 20,000 times,
this technology helps to eliminate toxic air emis-
sions and minimize solid toxic wastes from small
semiconductor manufacturers.
Since the award of this SBIR contract, ATMI has
developed a tamily of novel vent gas scrubbers that
are cost effective in reducing toxic air emissions
from small quantity CVD processes as well as toxic
air emissions released by semiconductor manufac-
turers. ATMI was granted four U.S. patents on its
dry scrubber technology, and in just 3 years, the
company's annual sales grew to nearly $6 million.
To expand its environmental control equipment
market, in 1994 and 1995 ATMI acquired the rights
to alternative technologies, including wet scrubbing
and combustion scrubbing. These acquisitions
increased ATMI's annual revenues to nearly $30
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million at. that time. ATMI has since sold its Nova-
pure Dry Scrubber technology to a division of
Applied Materials, Inc.
ATMI is the largest supplier of point-of-use emis-
sion control equipment for the semiconductor
industry in the world. This SBIR project led to the
development of several new safety-related products
for the semiconductor industry. One product,
called the Safe Delivery Source®, or SDS®, that
uses adsorbent materials similar to those of the dry
scrubber system, eliminates the use of high-pres-
sure toxic gases in the semiconductor industry.
ATMI's SDSW Sub-Almospheric Gas Delivery Sys-
tems icpicsent the company's largest source of rev-
enue.
In recognition of its outstanding achievements in
technology innovation, ATMI received the Tibbctts
Award in 1996. This award is presented by the U.S.
Small Business Administration to companies associ-
ated with the SBIR Program that are models of
excellence in the area of high technology. In 1997,
the Danbury, Connecticut-based company was rec-
ognized as an Outstanding Small Business Enter-
prise by EPA. ATMI also was identified as one of
America's 100 Fastest Growing Companies by
Individual Investor Magazine in 2000, and
-, ' ranked 63rd on Foitune's list of 100
•' Fastest Growing Companies In 2002,
ATMI was included in Business 2.0's list
£ ot Fastest Growing Companies, and
made the Connecticut Technology Fast
50 List tor the sixth time. Since 1987,
when ATMI was awarded the EPA SBIR
Phase I contract, the company has grown from four
employees working in a small garage in New
Milford, Connecticut, to nearly 1,100 employees in
numerous locations around the world. Revenues in
2001 were $213 million. Originally called Ad-
vanced Technology Materials, Inc., the company
changed its name to ATMI, Inc., in 1997.
The rapid growth of the has envi-
ronmental with the processes used to
conductor chips.
Tins SBIR project led to the of ATMI's Delivery
Source" '>DS®), the use of high-pressure toxic in
the semiconductor industry.
ATM i s scrubber nonvolatile,
•solids through
"•k ATMI sold its successful Novapure Dry to
HI Applied Inc.
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924 Corridor Park Boulevard
Knoxville, TN 37932-3723
Telephone: 865-777-3776
http://www.atmosphericglow.com
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is defined as the physical,
chemical, and biological characteristics of indoor
air. IAQ is influenced by a myriad of factors includ-
ing the number of air exchanges between the
indoor and outdoor environments, contamination
arising from within the building or from the envi-
ronment, and microbial contamination. Because it
is estimated that people spend approximately 90%
of their time indoors, both the public and private
sectors are becoming increasingly aware of issues
associated with poor IAQ. Furthermore, people
who are the most susceptible to the effects of poor
indoor air often are the same people who spent the
greatest amount of time indoors. Examples include
the very young, the elderly, and those suffering
from chronic illnesses. EPA has ranked IAQ among
the top five risks to public health.
With support from EPA's SBIR Program, Atmos-
pheric Glow Technologies, Inc. (ACT), developed
and is actively commercializing its Enhanced Plasma
System (EPS) for IAQ. The EPS-IAQ, covered by
four patents, is a multi-stage system that eliminates
airborne microorganisms and certain chemicals using
One Atmosphere Uniform Glow Discharge Plasma
(OAUGDP®). The EPS-IAQ consists of an OAUGDP
generator, a particulate filter for microorganism cap-
ture, a volatile organic compound (VOC) filter, and
an ozone catalytic filter. Ancillary systems include
the power supply and control system.
Air containing VOCs and microorganisms enters
the system, where the contaminants are tiapped
and destroyed. The trap operates < ontinuously
and is designed to have a holding capac ity that
exceeds the expected loading between plasma
treatments. The particulate filter uses off-the-shelf
technology for high-efficiency capture. The plasma
generator is energized periodically and creates
reactive chemical species from the air. These
species destroy trapped microorganisms as well as
VOCs.
The fully automated EPS-IAQ is designed with flexi-
bility and scalability in mind. It employs a simple
modular design with a plasma generator at its core
that is adaptable to room-sized or larger in-duct
applications. EPS systems can be installed during
new construction or easily retrofitted into existing
facilities. By taking a modular design approach,
ACT easily can reconfigure the EPS-IAQ to provide
systems with or without ducted connections or
direct, in-flight systems for fly-through destruction
of organisms or chemicals.
The EPS-IAQ is in pre-production. ACT is complet-
ing engineering designs to meet specifications for a
Tier 1 manufacturer. Initially, the targeted market
will be the residential sector, providing a cost-
effective means to remove and destroy micro-
organisms and reduce irritating VOCs from the
indoor air while meeting the most rigid quality
standards. ACT continues to advance the core
plasma technology and is pursuing application
areas in sue h diverse arenas as biotechnology, mili-
taiy and agricultural decontamination, aerodynam-
ics, and materials processing for industry.
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ACT is a science and engineering company that
was founded in 2000. ACT became a publicly trad-
ed company in February 2004. The company's
early research and development work was support-
ed largely by the SBIR Program. To date, ACT has
been awarded 1 5 SBIR projects totaling more than
$6 million. This funding has been used to further
the development of AGT's atmospheric plasma
technology. Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, ACT
is housed in a 1 2,000 ft2 facility with state-of-the-
art chemistry, microbiology, physics, and plasma
laboratones; a prototype development shop; and
piofofype manuf.ic lining areas.
ACT has been internationally recognized
- . with an R&D Magazine Top 100 Award,
the University of Tennessee-Battelle Oak
1 Ridge National Laboratories Subcon-
tractor ot the Year Award, ihe U.S. Small
Business Administration Roland Tibbetts
Award recognizing excellence in govern-
ment contracting, and the Dawnbreaker Out-
standing Commercial Achievement Award. ACT
has jusL recently received ils second R&D 100
Award for its first product in the biotechnology
arena. The company and its produc Is have been
featured in periodical publications such as Popular
Science and R&D A/agaz;ne.
The U.S. Protection Agency has air
(1AQ) top five risks to
Atmospheric Glow Technologies, Inc. (AGT), a cost-effective
of improving IAQ —the
for IAQ
A
-------
325 Water Street
Wilmington, DE 19804
Telephone: 302-999-7996
http://www.compactmembrane.com
Nitrogen oxides (NOX) lead to acid rain and con-
tribute to unhealthy ground-level ozone and smog,
often leading to severe respiratory problems among
affected communities. Diesel engines produce un-
acceptably high levels of NOX at high loads, and
NOX from nonroad dicsel engines represents an
increasing percentage of the environmental pollu-
tion in nonattainment regions (areas that do not
meet primary environmental standards), where
more than 90 million Americans live. Economical,
easy-to-integrate solutions are needed to meet the
NOX reduction goals of the Clean Air and Clear
Skies Acts.
A promising new method of reducing NOX emis-
sions involves the recycling of exhaust gas in a pro-
cess called exhaust gas recycle (ECR). EGR sends
captured exhaust gas back into the combustion
chamber ol the engine, thereby increasing tuel
economy and reducing emissions: a 25% ECR
leads to a 50% reduction in NOX. There are some
problems, however, associated with the process,
including: (1) extra pumping and cooling of the
EGR stream, (2) engine wear from recirculating
engine soot, and (3) high feed air water vapor lev-
els. These issues can be avoided by the use of nitro-
gen-enriched air (NBA), which reduces the diesel
combustion temperature and, in turn, the amount
of NOX emitted in the engine exhaust. The NOX
reductions achieved through NEA are similar to
those accomplished through the EGR process, while
simultaneously avoiding the pumping, cooling,
wear, and water vapor issues associated with EGR.
With support from EPA's SBIR Program, Compact
Membrane Systems, Inc. (CMS), in cooperation
with its commercialization partners, has developed
stable fluoropolymer membranes to nitrogen enrich
the turbocharged intake air to diesel engines.
Cooled turbocharged air is processed by an NEA
membrane to supply NEA to the diesel engine
intake. NEA reduces the diesel combustion temper-
ature; in turn, the amount of NOX produced and
emitted in the engine exhaust is greatly reduced.
CMS membrane modules are designed for very
high flux, harsh operating conditions, stable per-
formance, and production of NEA in the range of
79.5% up to 84%. As a result of EPA's SBIR funding
and collaborations with downstream partners and
commercial membrane manufacturers, CMS has
made large advances in demonstrating and com-
mercializing NEA membranes for NOX reduction in
diesel engines.
Working with major industrial gas companies
(e.g., Praxair and Air Liquide) and their membrane
divisions (IMS and MEDAL), CMS has produced
large, commercial-sized membrane modules. In col-
laboration with Caterpillar, these large commercial-
sized modules have operated successfully in excess
of 1 million on-road miles on five Class 8 diesel
trucks. Independent laboratory testing of the mem-
brane systems showed them to have excellent foul-
ing resistance to ingested dust and durability to
an excess ol 1 million pressurization cycles while
operating at high temperature (85°C) and high pres-
sure (30 psig). Caterpillar tests over a broad cycle
showed that the membranes exceeded the target
NOX emission reduction of 50%.
CMS' successful field demonstration with Caterpillar
in combination with ongoing support from EPA's
SBIR Program has led to additional opportunities
that presently are under commercial/developmental
evaluation. At present, low-speed marine diesel
Stories
-------
engines are being tested in support of installation of
CMS membranes on Scandinavian ferries and ships
for NOX reduction.
The retrofitting of installed emergency generators
with CMS NEA membranes is being evaluated, and
the membranes show promise for creating cost sav-
ings from peak electric power rates. These addi-
tional programs have successfully completed the
feasibility phase and CMS is receiving purchase
orders for outfitting engines for initial fleet and field
demonstrations.
Contpttiw Hisforyafjil
CMS was founded in 1993, based on membrane
technology acquired Irom E.I. DuPont. CMS is lo-
cated in Wilmington, Delaware. CMS' focus is on
the research, development, and commercialization
of membranes and thin films composed of fluorinat-
ed polymers with exceptional gas transport proper-
ties and chemical resistance.
In 1998 and 2000, CMS received the Tibbctts
Award as an Outstanding Small Business in the State
of Delaware. This award is given by the U.S. Small
Business Administration to firms judged to exempli-
fy the best in small business innovation and te-
search. The company's goal is to become, in com-
bination with its partners, tin1 wot Id maiket leadei
:'.... . ol amorphous perfluoiopolymer mem-
' branes for gas transport (including NEA).
„ •' Although CMS products are locused on
j. perfluoropolymers, the company serves a
broad range of markets that can utilize
the unique features of CMS membranes.
:al, easy-to-integrate are to the
iOx) of the Clean Air Clear Acts.
Systems, Inc. (CMS), in its
:ed a high-productivity air
reduce NOX by 50%.
are to
eiectivity
CMS has field demonstrated commercial-sized membrane
modules Caterpillar. In on-road tests, the
exceeded the target NOX reduction of 50%.
-------
15100 Enterprise Court, Suite 100
Dulles, VA 20151-1217
Telephone: 877-961-8777
http://www.edenspace.com
Weathered lumber in decks, docks, playground
equipment, and gardens can leach significant
amounts of arsenic into soil and water, where it
poses health risks to people and animals. By 1990,
the United States used approximately 37 million Ib
of arsenic annually in the production of chromated
copper arsenate (CCA), a wood preservative. Cur-
rently, there is no cost-effective method to clean up
arsenic-contaminated soils. The levels of arsenic
found in soil under CCA-treated decks have been
as high as 20 times the background level and sub-
stantially above most state and federal standards.
Although EPA regulations now limit the use of CCA
to the treatment of wood in forest products and
other primarily nonrcsidcntial applications, the
existing stock of CCA-treated wood products (con-
taining more than 600,000 metric tons of arsenic)
will continue to leach arsenic into the soil for years
to come. In situ phytoremediation of contaminated
soil could greatly reduce the amount of soil sent to
hazardous waste landfills by collecting and concen-
trating the arsenic in a much smaller volume of
plant biomass.
With support from EPA's SBIR Program, Edenspace
Systems Corporation developed an arsenic phytore-
mediation technology for in situ treatment of soils
contaminated with CCA. With this technology, ferns
accumulate arsenic in their harvestable fronds at lev-
els up to 100 times the underlying soil concentra-
tion, facilitating efficient removal and disposal of
CCA-derived arsenic while preserving topsoil. The
plants then are harvested for recycling or landfill dis-
posal.
Edenspace Systems has demonstrated two methods
using fluid extraction for concentrating and refining
recovered arsenic for storage and future recycling,
with recovery rates greater than 70%. Phytoextrac-
tion and recycling of CCA arsenic for reuse in indus-
try offers two major benefits: (1) recapture and
proper disposal of arsenic leached to the environ-
ment from CCA-treated lumber; and (2) reduced
primary production (mining) of arsenic, thereby
reducing the total level of anthropogenic arsenic in
the environment.
This technology is scalable from very small sites (e.g.,
gardens) to large sites (e.g., lumber storage areas). An
acres-wide storage site for CCA lumber can be treat-
ed with high-volume agricultural techniques, whereas
a small area under a wood deck can be addressed
using home gardening skills. Edenspace Systems is
particularly interested in developing the technique for
use by individual homeowners, enabling them direct-
ly and flexibly to address CCA risks in the "microcnvi-
ronment" around their homes. EPA has indicated that
such activities are covered by the Household Waste
Exclusion to the Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act, allowing the ferns to be disposed of as ordinary
waste in the same way that soil contaminated by
lead-based paint may be disposed of, facilitating the
reduction ot environmental risk to the homeowner.
There is a strong customer interest in phytoremedia-
tion of soil arsenic deposited from CCA-treated wood,
with a projected U.S. market of $162-$194 million
t-rlB~"" ~* %••";• ™~. . •
Ef±^-:?i:,-^l^.
Success
-------
4 years after product introduction. Currently, there is
no commercial competition for Edenspace Systems'
CCA arsenic phytoremediation. For the toteseeable
future, the innovation of this technology, combined
with Edenspace Systems' existing intellec Lual piop-
erty protection, should provide the company with
an excellent competitive position.
Edenspace Systems is marketing the arsenic extract-
ing fern under the trade name cdcnfcrn™. Sales of
edenfern™ to government agencies, businesses, and
homeowners totaled $22,000 in the initial year of
sales. Treatability studies are being conducted for six
potential aisenit -< ontammated sites, and a rnultiycar
field cleanup is underwav with ihe U.S. Army Corps
ol Engmeeis at Spring V.illex in Washington, DC.
Potential customers include wood treatmenl compa-
nies and distributors, homeowners, farmers, trans-
portation and utility companies, schools, and other
industry and government organizations.
Incorporated in Delaware in October 1998, and
headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, Edenspace
Systems Corporation is a leader in the commercial
use of living plants in innovative systems Lo remove
lead, arsenic, uranium, chlorides (salts), and other
minerals from the environment. As ol December
31, 2004, Edenspare S\sLerns had c) employees and
revenues of $1.1 million. Edenspa< e S\stems owns
oi licenses 17 patents. In 200?, Edenspace an-
nounced a stiategic partnership with Fujita Corpora-
tion, a large Japanese environmental contractor, to
introduce Edenspace Systems' phytoremediation
technology in Japan.
Current Edenspace Systems customers include EPA,
the Departments of Agriculture and Energy, US.
Army Corps of Engineers, National Institutes of
Health, state environmental agencies, universities,
private companies, and homeowners in the United
States and Japan. Edenspace Systems received the
1999 DaimlerChrysler Environmental
Excellence Award for saving the auto-
motive company more than $1 million
through a lead phytoextraction project.
EPA, the use (CCA),
but the stock of CCA-treated wood products will to
arsenic Into the soil for to come.
an technology, usin
edenfern™, for in situ treatment of CCA.
No other of for
recovering
Ha Sales of edenfern™ to agencies, businesses,
Ha in the of sales.
Success
-------
4600 Nautilus Court South
Boulder, CO 80301-3241
Telephone: 303-530-0263
http://VAVw.eltronresearch.com
During the last century, the problem of biological
infestations and chemical contamination spread
through waterways has been dramatically accelerat-
ed with the advent of modern high-speed freighters
and their methods of ballast water exchange.
Transport and discharge of contaminated ballast
water constitutes a major route by which potentially
invasive species are introduced into high-traffic
marine and fresh waters worldwide. The discharge
of marine vessel bilge and ballast water upon desti-
nation arrival can seriously contaminate the sur-
rounding aquatic ecosystems with nonindigenous
organisms, and grey/black water effluents with high
biological oxygen demand (BOD).
The most problematic organisms to be controlled
are bacterial, planktonic, and egg or larval stages of
higher organisms. It is almost impossible, very ex-
pensive, and environmentally damaging to con-
trol/eradicate infestation of an invasive species once
it. is introduced into a watcrbody. The introduction
of the zebra mussel into the waterways of the Great
Lakes provides a well-publicized and sobering ex-
ample of both the economic and ecological costs
associated with such invasions. Thus, prevention of
initial contamination by invasive species is the most
practical approach to this problem.
With support from EPA's SBIR Program, Eltron
Research, Inc., developed a unique hydrogen perox-
ide (H2O2) generation technology into a turn-key
modular, flow-through water treatment system for
bilge, ballast, and wastewater treatment. H2O2 is
long known to be effective for disinfection and
organic material oxidation. The core of this treat-
ment system is Eltron Research's patented electrolyt-
ic technology that consumes only water, oxygen
from air, and electricity.
A durable electrolytic cell design was developed for
this treatment application that achieves the re-
quired H2O2 production rates and exceeded all
expectations in performance during scale-up. Com-
mercial production of the electrolytic cell modules
demonstrated this technology's readiness for manu-
facture. A 3,000 gallon per hour system successfully
demonstrated the modular scalability ol treatment
capacity.
Eltron Research's electrolytic technology produces
H2O2 onsite and on-demand for about one-half the
cost ol the standard industrial production process
based on power consumption and capital deprecia-
tion estimated over a 5-year period. Hydrogen per-
oxide water treatment with this new system is com-
parable in power consumption to the newest ultra-
violet ballast water treatment systems, but provides
the additional key benefits of organic destruction,
reduction of BOD, an estimated 30% reduction in
capital costs, and a safe source of H2O2.
Tests conducted by the Marine Biological Labora-
tory (Woods Hole, Massachusetts) in collaboration
with Eltron Research demonstrated broad effective-
ness of H2O2 to kill algae, fish, invertebrates, and
planktonic and bacterial microorganisms. Introduc-
tion of 5-7 rng/L H2O2 into ballast water by Eltron
Research's treatment system during vessel uptake is
expected to provide effective treatment against bio-
logical organisms within the first 200-500 minutes
of contact time. The corrosivencss of seawatcr with
;s
-------
this level of H2O2 was experimentally determined
not to exceed that of natural dissolved oxygen, and
thus is safe lor ship-board use.
SBIR funding was utilized to transition Eltron
Research's H2O2 production technology from the
laboratory to a successful turn-key water treatment
system ready for licensing. Ballast and bilge water
treatment capacity and performance criteria of
Eltron Research's H2O2 water treatment system
have been examined with a leading U.S. marine
equipment manufacturer. Other ship-board water
treatment applications have been discussed and
opportunities for field testing have been identified.
To date, Eltron Research's technology has been
evaluated by a variety of potential end-users and
manufacturing partners for applications that will
benefit from the convenience, cost savings, and
safety of onsite and on-demand H2O2 production.
Ongoing efforts have produced a second-genera-
tion demonstration system lor pilot-scale applica-
tion testing and marketing.
Eltron Research, Inc., is an eneigv, chemical pro-
cessing, environmental, and catalysis research com-
pany lounded in 1982. The c omp.tny is located in
Boulder, Coloiado, and currently employs 60 full-
lime staff members. Eltron Research is organized
into five major technical areas: (1) Catalytic
Membrane Reactors, (2) Catalysis, (3) Chemical
Sensors, (4) Electrochemistry and (5) Material
Science. The company's model for technology
commercialization involves forming strategic rela-
tionships with large corporations to promote this
process. SBIR projects at Eltron Research have gen-
erated well over $100 million of non-SBIR support
from the resulting consortia, of which more than
$60 million is private-sector investment. Eltron
Research believes this to be among the largest pri-
vate-sector investments made in technology evolv-
ing directly from the SBIR Program.
Transport of water a
route by which are high-traffic
worldwide.
El iron a turn-key (J
to
in
C^) water treat-
to of exotic,
electrolytic H2€>2 production process consumes
only water, air,
H-demand I^C^ production is econom-
, < onvenient, and
-------
7151 Discovery Drive
Chattanooga, TN 37416
Telephone: 423-267-6266
http://www.espintechnologies.com
Indoor air contaminants, such as volatile organic
compounds (VOCs), microorganisms, allergens, and
other pollutants (e.g., tobacco smoke) pose serious
health- and productivity-related problems for occu-
pants of indoor spaces. These toxic compounds are
complex mixtures of particles, 90% of which are
smaller than 1 micromeler (jum) in diameter. These
particles have hundreds of chemicals adsorbed onto
their surfaces, including many known or suspected
mutagens and carcinogens. Gaseous pollutants con-
tain many irritants, toxic chemicals, and nitrogen
oxides, which are ozone precursors, and can have
negative environmental impacts. The minute size
and the abundance ot these Loxins give them a
greater opportunity to enter our bodies via air and
water. As a result, the filter industry is looking for new
filter media that can create effective barriers for par-
ticles smaller than 3 /jm and adsorb pollutant gases.
With support from EPA's SBIR Program, eSpin
Technologies, Inc., developed and commercialized
custom-made nonwoven membranes, whiskers, and
3-dimensional structures using nanofibers. These
fibers can be made from a variety of organic, inor-
ganic, or biological polymers. Using a proprietary
process, eSpin produces minute fibers that are 100-
1,000 times smaller in diameter than fibers pro-
duced using conventional textile technologies.
eSpin's nanofibers are 20-200 nm in diameter
(about 1,000 times smaller than a human hair), have
a very high surface area-to-mass ratio, and can be
formed into sheet structures with very high porosity
and tight pore size.
eSpin's SBIR-supported technnlog\ development
specifically focuses on removing i ontammants pies-
ent in air by using nanomateridl-based air filiation
technology. Applications include advanced media fil-
ters that stop particulates smaller than 3 ji/m and
adsorb VOC gaseous pollutants. Enhanced VOC
controls will allow benefits for the health and pro-
ductivity of millions of U.S. workers.
Conventional fiber technology has reached its limits
for producing commercially available monofilamcnts
and is likely to produce fibers in the range of 10-50
/jm, while nonwoven fibers produced by melt blown
technology are in the range of 3-8 /Jm. Given this
situation, filter manufacturers have been compelled
to develop and use "exotic" media such as Teflon
membranes. Use of Teflon membranes instead of
fiber-based filters, however, increases the filter cost
substantially and such filters do not always perform
well in field tests. Thus, a major challenge is over-
coming the apparent 3 /Jm particle filtration barrier
for a fiber-based filter that has a desirable high-cap-
ture etticiency at an attordable cost. eSpin produces
nanofibers of unprecedented, unrivalled small diam-
eter with high surface area. Integrating such electro-
spun polymeric nanofibers with conventional filter
media represents a unique opportunity to overcome
the current threshold of filterable particle size barri-
er.
eSpin currently supplies nanofiber-based products
for development efforts in many different industries,
including filtration, performance textiles, energy
stoiage, ( osmetii s, and others. The company's pri-
inaiY commeic lalization goal for air filtration appli-
calions is In develop and produce an efficient and
reliable filtration technology foi i ustomers that has
a low operating cost and meets or exceeds current
- ...-.f. jrtflP- .ft -T
in; i •*•-„:-..- - •-"-::-»::::-" &
'^'ST^-:.
.^^^•m^» ™
Stories
-------
Occupational Safety and Health Administration and
environmental standards (in anticipation of future
air filtration technology mandates). Research in this
area resulted in technology that provides a cheaper
and better way to clean breathable air by utilizing a
highly efficient, cost-effective filter media application.
eSpin currently is working with companies that
design and manufacture filtration products and
exhaust systems to develop innovative products
such as automotive air filters capable of filtering
small particles with improved efficiencies of up to
500% compared to existing products. As a platform
technology eSpin's nanofibers have a broad range
ot maikot opportunities in traditional and emerging
segments of industries such as liltration, aerospace,
structural composites, health care, energy storage,
cosmetics, and many others.
Founded in 1999, eSpin Technologies, Inc., is
based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and specializes
in custom-engineered nanoliber production. The
company has supplied nanofibers for developing
unique applications such as clean room products,
nanocomposites, filtration products, biomedical
devices, and specialty fabrics, among others.
eSpin's global partners inf hide Fortune 500 corpo-
rations, government and rnilitaiv laboratories,
lesearc h mstilulions, and selec t high-lech compa-
nies around the world.
eSpin has received grants and awards from several
federal agencies for continued development of
nanofiber technology including EPA, National Sci-
ence Foundation, Department of Energy, Depart-
ment of Defense (U.S. Air Force), and National
Institute of Standards and Technology. eSpin
Technologies has been featured in global industry
publications such as Nonwoven World, Chemical
Engineering News, and Nature.
indoor air
problems for of 90% of these
are 1 |im in
eSpin Technologies
ai
20-200 in
are
Applications of this air technology
media stop particles 3 jam VOCs.
i Market opportunities for aero-
= space, structural ensnposites, health cos-
-------
a
315 Huls Drive
Clayton, OH 45315
Telephone: 937-836-7749
http://www.faradaytechnology.com
Chromium in its hexavalent form (Cr+6) is a haz-
ardous chemical regulated under the Clean Air Act
and designated by EPA as 1 of 1 7 "high priority"
toxic chemicals. It is a known human carcinogen
and emits a toxic mist at elevated temperatures.
Chrome plating is used in a variety of heavy indus-
trial applications to increase resistance to wear and
corrosion on products such as cars and cutting
tools, but Cr+6 plating produces hazardous air
emissions. New installations of Cr+6 platers arc
banned in some states (including California), and
existing Cr+6 platers have strict monitoring and con-
trol requirements and must report to the EPA.
With support from EPA's SBIR Program, Faraday
Technology, Inc., has developed a safer, cost-compet-
itive method of chromium plating, using trivalent
rather than hexavalent chromium. In its trivalent
form, chromium is not only a benign chemical, but
an essential element of the human diet. Faraday
Technology's functional Cr+3 plating process is
intended to replace entirely the toxic Cr+6 process.
The pilot-scale technology is validating Faraday
Technology's electrically mediated Cr+3 plating
process (the Faradayic™ Process) as a "drop-in"
replacement for the use of Cr+6 plating. This manu-
facturing process validation is being executed with a
large manufacturer of industrial pumps and the Naval
Air Depot (NADEP) at Cherry Point, North Carolina.
Faraday Technology's process uses pulse reverse-cur-
rent electrolysis in conjunction with a reduced-cost
Cr+3 plating chemistry and results in a reduced-cost,
performance-based, functional Cr+3 plating process
to replace conventional Cr+r< rhromium plating. The
process incorporates FaraclavToi hnology's
EXCHANGE"' In-Process Rety ling System i.dso
developed under EPA SBIR Program funding) for
effluent waste management—plating bath chemistry
and rinse water. A controlled "alpha" test of the
Faradayic"' Process was completed in a pilot-scale
manufacturing cell designed and built by Faraday
Technology. This test was conducted using strut rods
provided by a Tier 1 automotive supplier.
Faraday Technology's functional Cr+3 plating process
demonstrates equivalent or superior plating rate,
hardness, and current efficiency; will replace the
conventional Cr+6 plating process; and will result in
a more environmentally friendly and worker-safe
plating process. The Faradayic'" Process demon-
strates a thickness of 10 mils (250 /Jm), a plating rate
of 1.44-2.25 jum/min, and a bath cost of $5.53 per
pound of chromium; whereas conventional Cr+6
plating processes demonstrate a thickness of 6-10
mils (150-250 jUm), a plating rate of 0.76-1.27
jUm/min, and a bath cost of $4.81 per pound of
chromium.
To date, Faraday Technology has secured $381,940
in commercial revenue to support this pilot-scale
activity. Additionally, the company is preparing sam-
ples for external evaluation by Concurrent Tech-
nologies Corporation and NADEP Cherry Point.
Faraday Technology has a successful track record of
technology commercialization, with numerous
strategic technology alliances currently under con-
tract and 60% of its annual sales coming from com-
tneit ial SOUK es. Faiadav Technology has filed a
patent application covering the unique use of elec-
tric field process control based on this SBIR-funded
project.
Stories
-------
The Faradayic™ Proioss is being widely implement-
ed by large private and public l\ owned companies
as well as various components of the U.S. Depart-
ment of Defense with the following applications:
Faradayic™ Industrial Coatings—such as func-
tional chromium from a trivalent chromium bath.
Faradayic™ Edge and Surface Finishing—for
advanced engineering alloys, such as stainless
steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, and the like
without toxic, exotic electrolytes.
* Faradayic™ Leveling—metallization without
leveler-brighlener additives lor advanced elec-
tronics applications.
Faradayic™ Environmental CountermeasmPS—
electrically mediated systems for in-prot ess tecy-
cling of rinse waters and plating bath chemistry.
The functional Cr+3 plating process supports the
Faradayic"' Process technologies listed above by
providing environmentally conscientious reclama-
tion and reuse of process solutions.
Faraday Technology, Inc., is an electrochemical
process technology development company focused
on enhancing and commercializing the Faradayic™
, : Process, its platform electrochemical
manufacturing technology. Founded in
«. 1f>f>1, Faraday is located in Clayton,
L Ohio, and has established itself as a
noteworthy applied research and devel-
opment company with approximately 80
publications and more than 50 patents/patents
pending. The company has been recognized with a
number of awards, including: the U.S. Small
Business Administration-sponsored Small Business/
Enterprise Spirit Award, the State of Ohio Gov-
ernor's Thomas Edison Emerging Technology Award,
the Affiliate's Society Council of Dayton Out-
standing Technology Leadership Award, the Abner
Brenner Silver Medal Award for a paper published
in Plating & Surface Finishing, and the Ernst &
Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award (High
Technology Finalist for 2001).
He,\avaient (Cr+6) air
and EPA Cr+6 as 1 of 17 "high-priority™ toxic
as a
Faraday Technology a cost-competitive,
cial (Cr+3) process to Cr+6
Technology's Cr+3 process demonstrates equiv-
alent or
k with Cr+6 plating.
"s. Faraday Technology has $381,940 in revenue to
Hi support commercialization of this technology.
-------
515 South Duncan Street
Stillwater, OK 74074
Telephone: 405-624-6771
http://www.fortlabs.com
The endocrine system is a complex network of
glands and hormones that regulates many of the
body's functions, including growth, development,
and maturation, as well as the way various organs
operate. In recent years, concerns have been grow-
ing that certain chemicals in food, water, and other
environmental media may be inadvertently disrupt-
ing the endocrine systems of humans and wildlife. A
variety of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)
already has been discovered, and there is strong evi-
dence that chemical exposure has been associated
with adverse developmental and reproductive ef-
fects on fish and wildlife in particular locations.
Many ol these potential EDCs are present in the
marketplace, where approximately 100,000-
1 50,000 chemicals currently are available as med-
ications, fertilizers, pesticides, and other products;
approximately 2,500 new chemicals are released
each year.
Passage of the Food Quality Protection Act in 1996
as well as amendments to the Safe Drinking Water
Act reflect the concerns that some of these chemi-
cals may pose significant risks to the endocrine sys-
tems of humans and animals. To address these con-
cerns, EPA has developed a screening program to
determine whether certain substances have an
endocrine effect. Conventional toxicology and prod-
uct salety testing is expensive and time-consuming;
with increasing concerns regarding the presence of
EDCs in the environment, the need for rapid and
efficient standardized assays and other screening
tests has dramatically increased.
With support from EPA's SBIR Program, Fort En-
vironmental Laboratories (FED modified, devel-
oped, and standardized assays to lest bubsldnces
that might disturb reproductive and developmental
processes in animals by interfering with the endo-
crine system. A modified Xenopus laevis oocyte
maturation germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD)
model based on the work of Pickford and Morris
(Environ. Health PerspecL, 107:2.35-292, 1999) for
rapid evaluation of EDCs was developed as a possi-
ble Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP)
assay for EPA. An amphibian lifecycle (XLCA) model
using Xenopus tropicalis to evaluate EDCs that affect
the development of the reproductive tract also was
developed and evaluated for commercialization.
The 24-hour GVBD assay was designed to evaluate
environmental progcstins and androgcns in vitro.
The chronic exposure model using X. Tropicalis was
designed to specifically evaluate the impact of EDCs
on sexual differentiation and reproductive fitness.
The assays were standardized and evaluated by
conducting a preliminary validation study with a
series of known EDCs, compounds found to be
inactive, and chemicals with unknown activity.
By standardizing and validating these model sys-
tems for screening EDCs, FEL will provide the scien-
tific community, chemical and pharmaceutical
industries, appropriate regulatory agencies, and ulti-
mately the public with a versatile short-term pre-
screening assay. Further, this model will enhance
understanding of the significance of the effects of
EDCs on the reproductive systems of amphibians.
The technical feasibility of these models for screen-
ing potential EDCs is high. Although more work will
be required to validate the models, it appears to fit
the criteria established for emerging assays that cur-
renlK ,tie being sought foi the EDSR
;s
-------
FEL's assay is relatively straightforward and could be
commercialized following method standardization
and validation. The models are capable of broadly
screening compounds with widespread endocrine
activity, including estrogens, progestins, and andro-
gens, which is desirable for EDSP tests. Because the
tests are relatively inexpensive compared to many
of the other proposed screening tests and many
compounds can be tested simultaneously, these
models are ideal.
The in vitro oocyte GVBD and amphibian lifecyde
models will piovide the scientific community with a
cost-effective, tapid, and reliable method of testing
EDCs. The ability to rapidly and cost-effectively
screen for and evaluate the mechanisms of EDCs is
an attractive alternative to the current laborious
and expensive testing systems used today. Increas-
ing concerns over the finding ol EDCs in the envi-
ronment have dramatically increased the need for
standardized assays. PEL is well-positioned to capi-
talize on this emerging market as a pioneer and
leader in this field.
Fort Environmental Laboratories, an environmental
toxicology consulting firm and laboratory,
is the only commercial laboratory in the
United States to specialize in the toxico-
i logical study ot amphibians and reptilian
species. Co-founded in December 2000
by Drs. Douglas and Deanne Fort and
located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, PEL occupies a
unique market niche because of the significant
increase in interest in the use of these animals, as
well as many others, as indicators of environmental
health. EEL won the sole 2002 National Tibbett's
Award from the State of Oklahoma for "National
Small Business Research Excellence" and was a
finalist for the "Most Piomismg New Business"
award from Oklahoma City's Oklahoma Venture
Forum in 2002 and 2003.
The widespread of endocrine-disrupting (EDCs) in
the environment has the for
assays.
Port (PEL)
Xenopus for evaluation of EDCs.
The screen compounds
activity and are for
1^. PEL occupies a niche because of the
'm HUTt-ase in in the use of these as of
% environmental health.
-------
414 Pontius Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98109
Telephone: 206-622-6960
http://www.fgsdata.com
Mercury is a harmful neurotoxin that is readily
absorbed by the body from the surrounding envi-
ronment, through the consumption of fish caught
in mercury-contaminated waters as well as through
inhalation of vapors from spills, incinerators, and
industries that burn mercury-containing fuels.
Exposure to mercury can permanently damage the
brain, kidneys, and developing fetuses, and young
children are particularly at risk. Heightened con-
cern regarding the accumulation of mercury in the
aquatic environment led EPA to lower the limit of
mercury discharge levels for industries, and several
states are considering requirements that mercury
discharge levels be no greater than those in the
ambient receiving waters. An effective treatment
technology that will remove mercury and other
toxic trace metals from industrial wastewater
before it enters natural water systems is needed.
With support from EPA's SBIR Program, Frontier
GeoSdences, Inc., pursued the implementation of
a toxic metal chelating agent, FGS-MCX. FGS-MCX
exhaustively complexes most dissolved toxic trace
metals of concern, including silver (Ag), cadmium
(Cd), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), seleni-
um (Se(IV)), arsenic (As(lll)), zinc (Zn), and thallium
(Tl). In most cases, FGS-MCX has the ability to strip
toxic trace metals from indigenous, competitive lig-
ands, such as ethylenediamine tetraacetic add
(EDTA). The FGS-MCX/metal complex is insoluble
in the aqueous phase and, thus, precipitates effi-
ciently in solution. FGS-MCX complexes Hg
greater than 99.9% from pH 1-12, and 99.999%
from pH 3-6.
Toxicity studies of the binding reagent indicated
that FGS-MCX is environmentally nontoxic. FGS-
MCX preferably binds to lower valem e state taiget
metals such as As(lll) and Se(lV). The FGS-MCX
reagent has a binding hierarchy with typical target
metals, in order of most preferred metals to least
preferred: Hg > Ag > Cu, Ni > Cd, Pb > Co,
Se(IV) > Fe > As > Zn > V > Tl > Cr. The parti-
cle formation of the FCS-MCX-mctal complex was
studied to ascertain the best separation strategy
for high-flow process implementation. Reagent
concentration at a lixed metal/FGS-MCX ratio had
only a small effect on the aggregation kinetics, but
increasing the FGS-MCX concentration sped up
the aggregation process. Adding a salt also accel-
erates aggregation. In all cases, improved aggrega-
tion means better separation characteristics.
A batch pilot plant was constructed and still is
under study for its applicability to low-volume lab-
oratory environments. The pilot plant has pro-
cessed more than 500 gallons of high-concentra-
tion toxic trace metal waste. The effluent was at
least an order of magnitude below the local
authority's discharge requirements. More than a
dozen client sites have been characterized and
tested for the applicability of FGS-MCX treatment.
For example, natural gas-produced water and lab-
oratory digestion waste were treated by a simple
50 ppm FGS-MCX addition. In the produced
water case, the Hg was reduced Irom 9,569 /Jg/L
to 0.035 ji/g/L, 285-fold lower than the ocean dis-
charge limit. The laboratory digest wastewater saw
the Hg concentrations drop from 6,214 /Jg/L to 16
/ig/L, 12.5-fold lower than the municipal waste
limit. The natural gas platform now uses MCX
binding as the primary treatment method tot a
initial
Wastewater
Ufprtd
Precipitate
Settled
1000 ppb Hg
In Solution
0,01 ppb Hg
in Solution
-------
million-gallons-per-day \vasto\\ator treatment sys-
tem. Frontier GeoSuences also recently received a
64-ton order for FGS-MCX from Malaysia.
Additionally, the SBIR project directly resulted in a
novel pilot online continuous analyzer being placed
on a natural gas platform. FCS-MCX was demon-
strated to work as a potential additive to wet scrub-
bers in the coal-fired power plant industry. EPA
awarded additional funds to Frontier GeoSciences to
pursue the feasibility of this application. Additional
lunds also have been obtained Irom an industrial
partner that is a large natural gas producer.
Company
Located in Seattle, Washington, Frontier GeoSci-
ences, Inc., is an industry leader in trace metals
analysis. With a state-of-the-art analytical laboratory
and research facility, the company specializes in
ultra-low detection of trace metals in multiple matri-
ces. Frontier GeoSciences' mission is to provide the
very best data to support clients' critical environ-
mental and economic decisions. The company pro-
vides chemical solutions for the effective control of
toxic metals to the environment. Frontier Geo-
Sciences' scientists are widely published, and are
worldwide experts in areas as dixerse as mercury
speciation and arsenic monitoring and remediation.
ie of processes as as
.ters
'•els of mercury other toxic
icier GeoSciences a toxic FGS-
X, the complex.
1S-MCX is the for a million-
Mons-per-day for a gas
FGS-MCX to work as to wet
scrubbers in the coal-fired
-------
513 C, North Link Lane
Fort Collins, CO 80524
Telephone: 970-491-9942
http://www.ionedge.com
Electroplating is used for components and equip-
ment in all fields of technology to protect materials
against corrosion, improve surface properties, and
achieve optimum decorative effects. A number of
wastes that are hazardous to human health and the
environment are commonly generated by the elec-
troplating industry. Conventional physical vapor
deposition (PVD) techniques, also known as vacu-
um coatings, have not been able to compete eco-
nomically with electroplating in large-scale produc-
tion. A substantial amount of coating material is
wasted on chamber walls and fixtures, causing high-
er operating costs. Only vacuum-based techniques
can deposit most metals and alloys, a large number
of compounds and polymers, and ceramic or glassy
materials on most types of solid surfaces. Therefore,
conventional PVD techniques have established a
niche in the semiconductor, optical, electronics,
and several other high-technology fields.
With support from EPA's SBIR Program, lonEdge
Corporation developed dry plating methods that
offer a substantial improvement over conventional
PVD techniques. Dry plating can be used for rela-
tively thick (more than 5 /Jm) metal coatings. Dry
plating production operation for commercial parts
received for coating consists of degreasing, dry plat-
ing, and inspection process steps (eliminating sever-
al hazardous steps associated with electroplating).
Dry plating uses two different methods based on
the physical properties of the vapor material
deposited: (1) the cadmium coating method; and
(2) the chromium, aluminum, and other metals
coating method, which is used above the melting
point of about 650°C.
In the cadmium coating method, cadmium vapors
are reflected from all directions so that the coating
is uniformly three-dimensional. This is called zero-
waste dry plating (Z-PVD) because there are no
deposit accumulations on vessel walls and loading
racks. The many advantages of the Z-PVD torm
of dry plating over conventional PVD include:
(1) coating time is reduced from 1.5 hours to 1 5
minutes, (2) no emission of toxic cadmium parti-
cles, (3) no weekly downtime for hazardous wall
scraping, (4) no frequent loading-rack chemical
stripping, (5) zero waste and hazards, and (6) no
embrittlement of high-strength steels.
For higher temperature melting materials, lonEdge
developed the cathodic arc coating method. In
this method, a target such as chromium is mounted
on a cathode. The cathode-target pair is mounted
in the vacuum vessel. An electric arc is struck
between the vessel walls (anode) and the target
(cathode). The arc instantaneously vaporizes a spot
on the target and ejects vapors toward parts placed
on a table below the target. The arc spontaneously
and randomly moves on the target, vaporizing the
target surface continuously. As the arc current is
increased, the vaporization and deposition rates
increase.
The chromium, aluminum, and other metals method
is capable of coating most metals on any vacuum-
compatible solid substrate, conductive or noncon-
ductive. This method can be used in decorative,
electronics, electromagnetic interference shielding,
and cutting-tool rnaikets. Also, this method is techni-
( all\ ( apable of depositing precious metals such as
gold, siktM, and platinum.
Dry plating has been developed and commercial-
ized by lonEdge Corporation over a period of 10
years. The technology has been developed primarily
under funding from the EPA SBIR Program as an
Stories
-------
alternative to existing electroplating for coating var-
ious metals on industrial objec Is. The cadmium
coating method has rea>i\vd a U.S. patent, and the
chromium, aluminum, and other metals (above
650°C) coating method has a U.S. patent pending;
several more patents are anticipated.
The lirsl commercial sale of lonEdge's dry plating
process was to an aerospace customer who request-
ed lonEdge to set up three additional processes to
complete their plating line. The expanded plating
line and processes have been certified for coating
aerospace parts, and lonEdge continues to provide
coating services to the aetospace industry. In 1 year,
mote than 50,000 steel components were cadmium
dry plated on this plating line. These components
now are in service in commercial airplanes, jet
fighters, helicopters, and missiles.
lonEdge is preparing a business plan for expanding
the dry plating line to increase the throughput by an
order of magnitude (in the range of 2,000 parts of
1-inch size/hour). Simultaneously, a full commercial
production plating line will be installed for high-vol-
ume parts processing (10,000 parts/hour), which
will allow customers to evaluate the full economic
benefits of the dry plating process.
History aou. Awards
lonEdge Corpoiation was founded in 19(3(3, with
the goal of developing environmentally safe coat-
ings. The Fort Collins, Colorado-based company
has a successful track record of inventing, develop-
ing, and commercializing novel waste-free coating
technologies. As a result of outstanding technologi-
cal contributions over the years, lonEdge Corpo-
ration was awarded the 1998 Tibbetts National
Award for its accomplishments under the SBIR
Program. lonEdge also received the 1997 Franklin-
Jefferson award from the SBIR-West
Regional Council.
Several wastes as are to
human the are by the dec-
ionEdge Corporation a
economical, physical vapor (PVD) dry process.
Dry
t. from the process.
Hi, Dry is cost of
"m copper, nickel, various other for a
Hi cosf rcxiucHoj? in pVn coating.
-------
7610 Eastmark Drive
College Station, TX 77840
Telephone: 979-693-0017
http://www.lynntech.com
Oxidizing agents such as chlorine, chlorine diox-
ide, hypochlorite, and ozone are used by many
industries in the synthesis of fine chemicals and
pharmaceulicals, as well as to treat hazardous
industrial waste. Many of the currently available
oxidants, however, require harmful starting materi-
als and generate harmful byproducts. Because
many of these oxidizing agents often have a detri-
mental impact on public health and the environ-
ment, new regulations are targeting many current-
ly used oxidants as a problem that must be
addressed. As a result, the industrial sector has
been forced to identify, and put in use, environ-
mentally friendly alternatives to traditional oxidiz-
ing agents. So far, however, a chemically effective
alternative that could be affordably manufactured
to meet the industry's needs has not been identi-
fied.
With support from EPA's SBIR Program, Lynntcch,
Inc., developed a revolutionary new electrochemi-
cal method for the production of high purity, solid
potassium ler-rate (K2FeO4). Ferrate can exchange
any existing oxidizing agents (e.g., potassium per-
manganate, chlorine, peroxide, ozone, chromates,
etc.) and can be applied in a wide range of applica-
tions for which environmentally benign oxidizers
are needed (e.g., municipal disinfection, steriliza-
tion, decontamination, conversion coatings, etc.).
Lynntech's process permits the bulk synthesis of
highly crystalline K2FeO4 at one-tenth the cost of
that required using conventional methods.
Furthermore, the process is significantly more effi-
cient than conventional electrochemical processes.
The use of a single chamber cell eliminates the
need for expensive proton exchange membranes,
and Lynntech's sodium hydroxide/potassium
hydroxide electrolyte system allows for single-step
production and separation of lerrate. Final lerrate
purity is greater than 98%, the electrolyte can be
recycled, and no potentially hazardous waste
streams are produced. Online magnetic separation
allows for continuous processing. Lynntech's
process requires only low-cost stock chemicals,
effectively lowering the cost of ferrate production.
This new process, which will facilitate the wide-
spread use of ferrate, is cost competitive with other
oxidants and is economically scalable for high vol-
ume, industrial synthesis. Furthermore, there are
important treatment advantages, safety features of
handling, and an absence of an environmental
impact resulting from ferrate use. The unique sin-
gle-chamber electrode configuration permits opera-
tion at a minimal cell voltage that significantly
reduces operational costs and eliminates the need
for expensive ion exchange membranes. The puri-
fied salt is nontoxic, environmentally benign, and
safe to handle, making it an ideal replacement for
traditionally used oxidants.
As a result of EPA's funding, Lynntech currently is
involved in commercializing the electrochemically
produced potassium ferrate salt. In general, the
chemical marketplace is always trying to identify new
environmentally friendly compounds. The need for
low-impact oxidizing chemicals currently is seen in
fa)
o
Stories
-------
the following industries: water anil wastewatei,
nuclear and heavy metal waste temedialion, oiganic
synthesis (catalysts), metal finishing, and energy stor-
age. Lynntech has Learned with one ol I he major
worldwide chemical suppliers and has submitted
samples for chemical quality analysis. Initial results
meet the supplier's requirements for purity and
Lynntech currently is generating a client base for the
potassium ferrate salt product. It is anticipated that
initial sales will begin in the next 6 months.
Lynnlech, Inc., incorpor.iled in 1987, is a privately
owned company located in College Station, Texas.
Lynntech develops scientific and engineering con-
cepts and takes the resulting innovations to the
marketplace. The company has a multidisdplinary
staff of 1 53 scientists and engineers. Building on a
core area of expertise in electrochemistry, Lynntech
has developed products in the emerging markets of
fuel cell test systems, proton exchange membrane
fuel cells, and electrochemical ozone generations.
In addition, Lynntech has successfully commercial-
ized and spunofl two separate companies in the
past year.
Due to environm
:-nid stricter the
has to to
Lynntech, Inc., developed a for the
of high (K2FeO4), an oxi-
dizing
Lynntech's process permits the bulk synthesis of K^FeC^
at the cost of conventional is
k. efficient processes.
T|| Lvnntech has teamed a worldwide chemical supplier to
l! RKu-kci their product.
-------
7610 Eastmark Drive
College Station, TX 77840
Telephone: 979-693-0017
http://www.lynntech.com
The use of chemical conversion coatings on alu-
minum alloys to achieve long-term corrosion resist-
ance of painted spacecraft and aircraft structures
has found widespread military and commercial
applications. The use ol chemical conversion coat-
ings that do not contain harmful chemicals is of
particular interest to the U.S. Department of
Defense, National Aeronautics and Space Admin-
istration, and other federal agencies. At the core of
the problem is the demonstration of human health
effects associated with exposure to hexavalent
chromium. Because hexavalent chromium is a
human carcinogen, concern exists not only about
workplace exposure at high levels, but also environ-
mental exposure at much lower levels.
This concern has produced a cascade of conse-
quences, including: (1) increased liability lor
claims of workplace and environmental exposure;
(2) increased costs for tracking inventories, moni-
toring emissions, reporting usage of chromium
compounds, and disposal of solid wastes contain-
ing chromium; and (3) more stringent disposal
limits for discharges of dissolved chromium in
wastewater. Therefore, environmentally acceptable
alternatives for chromatc conversion coatings that
exhibit the same corrosion resistance as chromate
coatings are needed.
With support from EPA's SBIR Program, Lynntech,
Inc., developed a fundamentally new conversion
coating based on heteropolymolybdates, which
belong to a class of compounds known as poly-
oxometalat.es. These species are remarkable for
their molecular and electronic structural diversity.
The use of heteropolymolybdates represents a sig-
nificant departure from the use of molybdate
(Mo6+O42~) as a conversion coating.
Tests of coatings prepared from formulations
consisting of heteropolymolybdates and several
important additives demonstrate exceptional corro-
sion resistance. Some coatings outperformed the
chromate-based conversion coatings in electro-
chemical corrosion-resistance tests and passed a
standard 14-day salt fog test.
The key to this technology is heteropolymolyb-
dates. The primary effect of the hetero atom is an
effective transformation of Mo(lll) and Mo(IV) to
stable Mo(V) and Mo(VI), thereby enhancing the
formulation of conversion coatings on aluminum
alloys. This unique characteristic provides an
elusive self-healing capability. Surface spectroscop-
ic studies indicate the presence of a stable reser-
voir of Mo(VI) in the oxide layer that acts in an
analogous way to Cr(VI).
As a result of EPA's SBIR funding, Lynntech has
made significant headway towards commercializa-
tion of this technology. Lynntech's conversion
coatings are designed to be environmentally friend-
ly, which lowers cost by eliminating hazardous
waste disposal fees. Lynntech established collabora-
tions with one of the leading aerospace contractors,
as well as a leading supplier in the metal finishing
Stories
-------
industry. Through these tollaborations, the compa-
ny was invited to participate in a national study in
search of chromium alternatives funded by the
National Center for Manufacturing Sciences. In this
study, Lynntech demonstrated two formulations
that have the capability and potential to successful-
ly replace chromium-based conversion coatings.
Lynntech, Inc., incorporated in 1987, is a privately
owned technology development company located
in College Station, Texas. Lynntech develops scien-
titn and engineenng ( oru epts and takes the tesult-
ing innovations to the marketplace. The company
has a multidisciplmaiv staff of 1 S"! scientists and
engineers. Building on a ( oie area ol expertise in
electrochemistry, the company has developed
products in the emerging markets of fuel cell test
systems, proton exchange membrane fuel cells,
and electrochemical ozone generation. In addi-
tion, Lynntech has successfully spun off two sepa-
rate companies in the past year.
Beoy-je of the chromi-
for conversion are
on het-
ropolymolybdates that outperformed chromate-based coatings.
fhese corrosion resistance; be by
Minting, or are with processes;
lower costs by
k is collaborating with a contractor a
^|k in the to this technology
HI toward commercialization.
-------
1360 Willow Road, Suite 103
M.enioPark,CA 94025-1516
Telephone: 650-328-2228
http://www.mtrinc.com
Oxygen-oxidation processes are used to produce a
number of important chemical intermediates by
selective catalytic oxidation of hydrocarbons in a
reactor. Products include ethylene oxide, propylene
oxide, vinyl acetate, and vinyl chloride, which are
used to make major commodity and engineering
polymers. All of these processes include an inert gas
purge stream from the reactor. This purge stream is
required to remove argon, which enters the reactor
as a contaminant in the oxygen feed. Because
argon does not react, the concentration in the reac-
tor builds up unless it is purged. Currently, the
purge gas is flared, resulting in a loss of approxi-
mately 450 million Ib/year of the hydrocarbon feed-
stocks used in these processes in the United States.
For example, during the production of ethylene
oxide, about 16 Ib of ethylene are lost in the argon
purge stream per ton of ethylene oxide produced
(about 3.5 million tons of ethylene oxide are pro-
duced annually in the United States, representing a
loss of 56 million Ib/year of ethylene at a value of
$8.4 million per year). Incineration of the purge
stream produces 440 million Ib/year ol carbon
dioxide plus the accompanying amounts of nitrogen
oxides (NOX). The argon purge stream clearly repre-
sents an important resource recovery and pollution
reduction opportunity.
With support from EPA's SBIR Program, Membrane
Technology and Research, Inc. (MTR), developed a
membrane separation system to improve process
economics and reduce air pollution by recovering
feedstock. Selective membranes were dexeloped to
separate the hydrocarbon feedstock from ihe aigon
so that the feedstock can be recycled to the teactoi.
The value of the recovered hydrocarbon is high, so
a process payback time of 1-2 years is possible.
Ethylene-selective and argon-selective membranes
can be used to economi-
cally recover ethylene
from the argon purge
stream from oxygen-oxi-
dation reactors. Processes
based on MTR's cthylcnc-
selective silicone rubber
membrane are superior to
those using argon-selec-
tive membranes and can
achieve 80% ethylene
recovery with a system
payback time of less than
1 year, provided sufficient
compressor capacity is
available in the plant. If
additional compressors
are required, MTR's novel perfluorinated, argon-
selective glassy membranes could be used to
achieve a shorter payback period.
The annual revenue generated (ethylene value
minus operating costs) by the membrane system is
between $200,000 and $400,000 per year for a
typical ethylene oxide plant. The addition of the
membrane system is a simple retrofit and payback
time typically is less than 2 years. To date, the
development of this technology has resulted in the
sale of three systems worldwide to recover ethylene
fiorri the aigon purge stream in ethylene oxide ami
vinyl acetate plants. The current installed ethylene
recovery capacity in these three systems is 2,100
tons/year.
(from product
purification)
J
Feed $**
ethylene,
acetic acid)
Existing /**
recovery f\
compressor ^
'
L Recycle gas
(unreacted feeds) '
_. f
Reactor
Recovered
ethylene
M
Arcrnn purcrp
*.
n
^£&
—*• Concentrated
ix Pmduct Membrane
recovery u
unit
— 1» Product
^g| t^i \tu or YAM)
*
(including unreacted feeds)
Stories
-------
and Awar- i,
MTR develops membranes, membrane modules,
and membrane processes for industrial separations.
The company was founded in 1982 as a research
and development company and has been supplying
membranes for commercial applications since
1990. Capabilities include membrane and module
manufacturing, process and system design, project
engineering, and commissioning services. MTR's
administrative, research, and manufacturing facil-
ities are located in Menlo Park, California. The com-
pany has sales offices in Houston, Texas, and
Brussels, Belgium.
MTR's custom-designed membrane systems are
employed at more than 100 petrochemical and
natural gas processing plants throughout the
world. The company's primary product lines
include: VaporSep® technology for separating
hydrocarbons trom air and nitrogen, membrane-
based natural gas treatment processes to control
the hydrocarbon dewpoint of natural gas by
removing higher (C3+) hydrocarbons, and
PerVap® water treatment technology to recover
flavor and aroma compounds in the food industry
and to remove residual organic solvent contami-
nants from fine chemical process streams.
MTR received the 19fi/ Kirkpatrick
Chemical Engineering Achievement
Award for the successful commercializa-
tion of Vapor-Sep® membrane technol-
ogy. The award, which is sponsored by
Chemical Engineering magazine, honors
the best chemical engineering technology commer-
cialized during the preceding 2 years.
The purge sfre.'-im from industrial an
resource recovery opportunity.
(MTR) a
ration to process economics air by recov-
recycling feedstock the purge
The revenue generated by the to recover
is and for a
isk Three MTR are in use to recover the
Ilk argon purse stream in an
It ethvk-ne recovery capacity of 2,100 tons per year.
-------
566 Mainstream Drive, Suite 300
Nashville, TN 37228-1223
Telephone: 615-734-6400
http://www.nrt-inc.com
Postconsumer plastics have become a tremendous
burden on waste disposal systems. Transport and
disposal to landfills is very expensive because of the
light weight and large volume. Disposal of plastics
in landfills can be considered environmentally un-
sound because of their high resistance to degrada-
tion over time. EPA has recommended recycling ol
plastics as a preferred approach over incineration
and landfill disposal. High-end recycled plastic
resins typically are combined with virgin resins and
used in manufacturing new products. To use these
resins in new products, however, it is extremely
important that the flake product during the recy-
cling process be as pure and clean as possible. A
large portion ol recycled plastics is from postcon-
sumer packaging materials, many of which contain
mixed polymers. Mixed polymers do not recycle
well, so they must be cleanly sorted to have a wide
range of uses.
With support from EPA's SBIR Program, National
Recovery Technologies, Inc. (NRT), developed
FlakeSort™, a sorting system used for preparing a
high-quality plastics resin material from recovered
postconsumer plastics packaging materials. The
FlakeSort"' system is the world's first sorting system
designed to make high-accuracy, small particle,
polymer-specific identifications and sorts in industri-
al feed streams of polymer flakes or pellets.
The FlakeSort™ system is a field-tested, industrial
duty, computerized process combining leading-
edge, polymer-specific infrared spectroscopic
detection with proprietary high-speed identification
algorithms to scan and classify polymei flakes 01
pellets fed through the unit at high volumes. The
process employs precision air jet ejection to sort.
particles of a selected polymer or polymers from
the feed stream using a binary sort approach. High-
speed proprietary polymer-specific infrared spectro-
scopic sensing technology provides significantly
improved performance over nonspecific technolo-
gies such as X-ray-based systems.
The system uses an array of specialized wavelength-
dispersive infrared detectors to read spectral char-
acteristics of plastic flakes as they pass at high speed
through a detection zone. The infrared spectral
information derived by the detectors is fed to an
industrialized computing system for digitization and
processing. The technology can spectrally measure
and sort contaminates from up to 15,000 plastic
llakes per second. The identilication and sorting
technology is independent of flake thickness, result-
ing in highly accurate performance. The system is
designed for ease of use and incorporates a color
touchscreen operator interface for presenting
operating status and diagnostics data and for ac-
cepting operator input. Additionally, the system
incorporates modem connectivity, providing
worldwide factory diagnostics and software up-
grades.
The first FlakeSort™ system was sold and installed
in the Midwest to NRT's Phase III partner during
participation in the SBIR Program. This installation
has pioxided a valuable test and evaluation site for
the technology in a pioduction setting. Lessons
learned from this installation led to a more user-
friendly second-generation product. These new
units now are in operation and give excellent
performance. Data show a measured 93%
Stories
-------
reduction of polyvinyl chloride conlaminalion in
product resin from facilities that have used the sys-
tem. The company has sold installations of the
Flake-Sort™ system to plastics processing facilities
in the United States and Europe. These systems
operate on a continuous basis and each processes
nominally 5,000 Ib/hour of polyethylene tcrcph-
thalate (PET) flakes.
NRT is a major worldwide supplier of automated
bottle sorting systems using X-ray and infrared
spectroscopic technology. Located in Nashville,
Tennessee, NRT was formed in 1981 and has 14
full-time employees. The company owns or holds
exclusive licenses for 21 U.S. patents and 5 for-
eign patents. Numerous other patents are pending
or are in the application stage. NRT has won vari-
ous awards, including EPA's Award for Outstand-
i , .;' ing Achievement by a Small Business
Enterprise in 1991, and aTibbett's
Award for "Recognition of Outstanding
Contributions to the SBIR Program" in
1996.
The majority of the world's recycled PET
plastics are processed though soiling machines
developed, manufactured installed, and serviced
by NRT. NRT inspection equipment is in operation
at lacililies in the United Slates, Canada, Mexico,
Em ope, Japan, and Austiaha. The Company has
agents in Euiope and Japan, with approximately
one-half of NRT's business being export.
A portion of recycled is
do well.
National Recovery Technologies, Inc. (NRT) the world's first
to high-accuracy, particle, polymer-
specific in feed of polymer
or
The FlakeSort™
up to 15,000 per of flake result-
ing in accurate performance.
Ik The of the world's (PET)
m, are developed,
m lured, installed, and by NRT
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900 Middlesex Turnpike, Building 8
Billerica, MA01821
Telephone: 978-670-7460
http://www.niton.com
Lead in paint has been associated with a number of
environmental and health risks. Exposure of preg-
nant women to lead can result in premature birth,
low birth weight, or spontaneous abortion. Lead
exposure in inlants and young children is correlated
with decreased intelligence scores, and may lead to
decelerated growth and hearing problems. Also,
exposure of adults and children to high levels of
lead may cause brain and kidney damage.
Lead-contaminated soil at residential and industrial
sites poses numerous environmental, safety, and
remediation problems. Depending on the source(s)
of lead, the contamination may be highly localized
or distributed extensively about a property. For
example, if the main source of lead is external
house paint, then the lead in soil is expected to be
highest near the dripline of the house and decrease
rapidly away from the structure. Conversely, if the
lead source is from a nearby industry or large lead
abatement, project, the soil contamination may be
pervasive throughout the property. Only a thorough
site assessment, involving a detailed sampling pat-
tern will produce an accurate contamination profile
of such sites.
With support from EPA's SBIR Program, NITON LLC
developed and commercialized a unique instru-
ment to detect lead in paint, soil, and air. In 1994,
NITON introduced the first ever one-piece X-ray
fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer, the NITON XL-
309 Lead Paint Analyzer. In 2004, NITON intro-
duced the newest, generation of this device, the
XLp 300 Series Lead Analyzer. This portable, hand-
held analyzer provides rapid lead analysis for
inspections, risk assessments, and screening.
The NITON XLp 300 Series Lead Analyzer is com-
pact, lightweight, and battery operated. It. produces
rapid, accurate measurements of lead and can be
equipped with the capability to be used for numer-
ous applications, including: (1) lead in paint, inde-
pendent of the composition, thickness, and
substrate of the paint; (2) lead in soil for site char-
acterization, clearance screening, and remediation
quality control; (3) lead in dust wipes for lead
inspection, risk assessment, and site clearance; and
(4) lead on filters for tracking workers' exposure to
harmful airborne lead. The device weighs 3 Ib,
including battery pack, and has an integrated
touchscreen display.
The device uses a 10'JCd source to measure the con-
centration of lead in paint, even when covered by
50 or more layers of non-lead paint, of unknown
thickness and composition. This results in no sub-
strate correction and simple, point-and-shoot oper-
ation on any surface. Positive/negative classifications
are displayed automatically when 95 percent confi-
dence is achieved, and the results are continuously
displayed and updated. In some cases, results are
obtained in as little as 1 second with no inconclu-
sive ranges. The XLp 300 Series Lead Analyzer
complies with both National Institute for Occupa-
tional Safety and Health (NIOSH) Method 7702
and Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) OSA 1 for airborne-lead monitoring and
with EPA Method 6200 for lead-in-soil screening.
NITON participated in the "Evaluation of Field
Portable Measurement Technologies for Lead in
Dust Wipes" conducted by EPA's Environmental
Technology Verification (ETV) Program to evaluate
is
-------
the perlormance of commercially available Held
analytical technologies for analyzing dust wipes for
lead. Data from the XL-3UU series showed excellent
agreement with the estimated lead value for the
range of samples analyzed, with very few false neg-
ative results.
Since receiving SBIR funding, NITON's lead paint
analyzers have become the industry standard for
lead-in-paint analysis, and the devices have
evolved into complete lead analyzers. In addition
to its XL-309 lead analyzer, NITON manufactures
XLi and XLl senes XRF analyze!s foi a wide variety
of analysis applications. To date, morn than (>,()()()
portable NITON analyzers are in use every day
worldwide in applications ranging from lead paint
detection to quality control of alloy materials in
manufacturing. NITON ships more than 1,000 new
instruments each year.
Companies using NITON analyzers include Norlh-
rup Grumman Space Technology, Lockheed Martin
Aerospace, Boeing Aerospace, Exxon/Exxon Mobil,
British Petroleum, Chevron/Texaco, Eli Lilly, Sanyo
Electronics, and General Motors. A number of gov-
ernment agencies (e.g., EPA, NIOSH, OSHA) also
are using NITON's devices.
the 1994 Discovery Award and was awarded its
first R&D 100 Award for its significance in minia-
turization and mainsLreaming of portable XRF
technology, based on the XL-309. NITON also
received the Lead Tech Product of the Year Award
in 1995, and won another R&D 100 Award in
2003 for its XLr and XLi analyzers. NITON became
the largest portable XRF manufacturer in the world,
and based in large part on the success of its ana-
lyzers, the company was purchased by Thermo
Electron Corporation in 2005.
nit has been associated a
"s, with precant at risk.
NITON developed a portable,
for -assessments,
NITON's XLp 300 a 1""Cd source to the
concentration of in covered by 50 or more of
non lead of unknown composition.
Since receiving SBIR NITON's
H, become the for lead-in-paint analysis,
ilk 6-000 portable .NITON analyzers are in use
NITON LLC was founded in 19.37 and has offices
in Billerica, Massachusetts; North Kingstown,
Rhode Island; Bend, Oregon; Munich, Germany;
and Hong Kong. The company was a finalist for
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1425 Russ Boulevard, Suite T-107E
San Diego, CA 92101
Telephone: 760-670-4530
http://www.z-loy.com
Toxic chemicals contaminate soil and groundwater
in numerous locations worldwide. These com-
pounds, including chlorinated hydrocarbons and
transition metal compounds, are now affecting
aquifers that supply drinking water. Adverse health
effects associated with exposure to these chemical
compounds include damage to the nervous system,
liver dysfunction, and an increased cancer risk.
Traditional remediation protocols often are prohibi-
tively expensive, leave behind toxic byproducts,
and are difficult to implement, particularly when
addressing a deeply embedded contaminant phase.
Alternative remediation techniques involve treating
the contaminant phase in the subsurface. These in
situ methods include the injection of zero-valent
metal particles, typically iron, into the ground. The
metal sustains an electrochemical reaction that con-
verts the toxic materials into innocuous products.
Commercially available iron particles typically are
coarse, with dimensions of a few micrometers to a
millimeter or larger. When injected underground,
these large metal particles arc held back by soil par-
ticles before they reach the contaminant phase.
With support from EPA's SBIR Program, OnMatc-
rials, LLC, developed a scalable manufacturing
process to produce affordable, submicrometer and
nanocrystalline /ero-valent metal powders. This
work led to the development of Z-Loy™, a non-
aqueous zero-valent metal suspension. The discrete
particle size is advantageous because other nano-
crystalline zero-valent iron (NZVI) particles, pre-
pared by chemical precipitation or thermal reduc-
tion, typically are aggregated into larger particles
that hinder underground mobility.
Engineered and manufactured in the United States,
Z-Loy™ provides the remediation community a
zero-valent metal with small, discrete particles that
enable underground mobility to remediate deeply
embedded substances. Z-Loy™ particles have highly
reactive surfaces that enable the rapid elimination
of toxic substances without producing toxic daugh-
ter products. Z-Loy'" oilers a metallic surface area
of approximately 15 m2/g; this provides exceptional
reactivity because reaction kinetics scale with sur-
face area. A first-order measure of reactivity is
obtained by making a 10 g/L aqueous suspension
(10 g participate matter in 1 L ol water) and meas-
uring the oxygen reduction potential (ORP). ORP
quantifies the ability of the metal particles to ac-
complish electrochemical reduction; a large nega-
tive value is indicative of a reactive material. Due to
its high metallic surface area, Z-Loy™ exhibits val-
ues between -800 and -900 mV as compared to
approximately -200 mV for conventional iron pow-
ders. These values provide a nonincremental im-
provement in reduction potential.
Laboratory microcosm studies using gas chromatog-
raphy show the rapid and near-complete elimina-
tion of aqueous-phase chlorinated hydrocarbons
from very concentrated solutions. Additionally, the
resulting reaction products consist primarily of in-
nocuous, nonchlorinated gaseous hydrocarbons
with little or no toxic chlorinated byproducts
formed.
The exceptional reactivity of Z-Loy™ has been
independently corroborated by prospective cus-
tomers in laboratory experiments. This has led to
subsurface injections, the largest of which occurred
fljfc;
' ^|kE:.-. %r.. j™;::-:-""F^
™f[-:.~™™,. — ^^)
;s
-------
at a 1,1,1-trichloroethane-contaminated Idulilv in
Edison, New Jersey. This pilot injection used pneu-
matic fracturing in fractured bedrock and pres-
surized injection in overburden material to em-
place 1,400 Ib of Z-Loy™ in the subsurface.
Underground mobility was verified by the visual
observation of iron at monitoring wells 1 5 feet
away from the injection site at two vertical inter-
vals. This far exceeded the 8-10 feet expectations,
and thus diluted the 2-3 g/L targeted Z-Loy™ load-
ing. Even so, electrochemical activity was verified
by the reduction of ORP from slightly positive val-
ues to nearly -400 mV at a monitoring well approx-
imately 15 teet from the inaction point. A second
phase injection of 8,000 Ib at ihe Edison site is
scheduled. This will be one of the largest injections
of NZVI to date.
OnMaterials has tailored the Z-Loy™ product line
to meet particular remediation requirements. Three
different categories of zcro-valcnt iron materials
currently are available with properties engineered
to address site-specific needs: Z-Loy™, Z-Loy™
Flake, and Z-Loy™ LA. Presently, synthesis capacity
is about 1 ton per day and will increase as demand
requires.
OnMaterials, LLC, a privately held company, spe-
cializes in the synthesis and processing of technical
powders, including ceramic and metal nanopow-
ders. The company was formed in 2000 and offers
technical support services designed to minimize
risk and reduce costs associated with the develop- development operations are located in San Diego,
mcnt and implementation of custom applications, California, and its Z-Lov™ manufacturing operation
products, and processes. OnMaterials' research and is located in Longmont, Coloiado.
ToAic chemical
metal compounds, soil
tenals Z-Loy™, a zero-valent
?,ibk;s of toxic substances.
it synthesis capacity is are 1 ton per
On Materials has successfully 1,400 Ib of Z-loy™ at a
<;xf sir.;: in New Jersey. A of 3,000 Ib at site is
scheduled.
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10184 W. Belleview Avenue, Suite 200
Littleton, CO 80127
Telephone: 303-933-2200
http://www. ophir. com
Methane is one of the most serious greenhouse
gases conlribuling Lo irreversible dim ale change.
The contribution of methane emissions from leak-
ing pipelines and the expected increased through-
put through the pipelines prompted the natural gas
industry to set a goal of reducing emissions by 50%
by 2010. The integrity of the pipelines is critical to
the safety of the gas transportation infrastructure.
The U.S. natural gas pipeline industry spends ap-
proximately $50 million annually lo comply with
the U.S. Department of Transportation's increasing-
ly stringent inspection regulations. Current legisla-
tion requires that more than 300,000 miles of
transmission pipeline be inspected at least once a
year. The reduction of detrimental greenhouse gas
emissions and the compliance with pipeline in-
tegrity management regulations may be attained by
using a device Lo deled liquid and gas pipeline leaks.
With support from EPA's SBIR Program, Ophir
Corporation has developed and demonstrated an
optical remote sensing product, duoThane®, for
detecting and potentially reducing the emission of
methane from fossil fuel sources such as natural gas
and oil processing as well as from production and
transmission operations. duoThane® independently
and simultaneously detects methane and ethane,
the primary constituents of natural gas.
Ethane emissions provide an excellent means of
detecting and locating leaks in crude oil pipelines.
The system has sufficient speed and sensitivity to
enable cost-effective stationary surveys over gas and
liquid pipelines. At a fenceline monitoring dislance
of 600 m, the duoThane® detection sensitivity is 50
ppb for methane and 33 ppb for ethane.
The duoThane® sensor employs the optical tech-
nique of active gas correlation radiomctry, which
uses an active infrared source and an optical, spec-
tral correlation detection method. The duoThane®
system can be employed in a stationary scenario
directly over the transmission pipeline or downwind
of the pipeline. The system also can be used to
detect leaks from pipelines constructed under
waterways. Currently, there is no efficient method
lor monitoring liquid pipeline leaks lhat emanate
from pipes under waterways such as streams and
rivers.
The duoThane® system also has been demonstrat-
ed for liquid pipeline application through an oil-on-
water test on natural oil seeps in the Santa Barbara
Channel off the coast of California. The ship-mount-
ed duoThane® system successlully detected both
methane and ethane in this demonstration.
duoThane® significantly reduces the costs associ-
ated with natural gas pipeline inspections, provides
superior leak detection, and results in fewer false
alarms than achievable with the current industry-
standard inspection methods. The benefits of this
remote sensing system are threefold: (1) methane
emission reduction, (2) improved pipeline safety,
and (3) reduced gas and liquid industry pipeline
operating costs.
There is both national and international interest in
the ground-based duoThano" system, as \\oll as in
an airborne natural gas leak deled ion device devel-
oped through U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
funding. duoThane® has been successfully demon-
strated on operational natural gas transmission
;s
-------
pipelines with El Paso Pipeline Gioup and Williston
Basin Interstate Pipeline Co., Inc. The sensor suc-
cessfully detected the presence of methane and
ethane in the case of a compromised pipeline and
in calibrated leak scenarios.
Alyeska Pipeline Services Company, a large oil
pipeline services company, co-funded a demon-
stration of Ophir's technology with the EPA.
Alyeska continues to show interest in this system
for the detection of leaks from pipelines under
waterways. In addition, Ophir presented this
duoThanc® system for the liquid pipeline leak
detection application at the Alaska Department of
Environment and Conservation Best Available
Technologies Conference in May 2004. Ophir is
targeting this market by instrumenting aircraft with
duoThane® to enable leak detection measure-
ments for the lines that currently are inspected
visually.
Ophir Corporation, based in Littleton, Colorado,
and founded in 1980, focuses on research, devel-
opment, and production of optical remote-sensing
instrumentation for the atmospheric sciences.
Ophir has been very successful in commercializing
sensor technologies Ihiough the SBIR Program, and
the company has rommeiualizcd optical, remote-
sensing lee hnologies \\ilh gross revenue from corn-
met c"ial sales exceeding $45 million. Ophir's pri-
mary products are the Pilot Alert System (a laser-
based radar system currently flown on the B-2
Stealth Bomber) and duoThane®. Ophir has been High Technology Institute, and the Northrop
recognized for outstanding performance by the U.S. Grumman Corporation.
Small Business Administration, the Small Business
is of the to lire-
Ophir duoThane® for
methane
duoThane® has the to
safety, gas costs.
Ik The be to from pipelines con-
Us sir acted under waterways.
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logy,
27
Industrial Avenue
Chelmsford, MA 01824
Telephone: 978-367-0232
http://www.phoenixsandt.com
Water contamination causes a wide range of dis-
eases. The main objective of disinlecting drinking
water is to reduce the number of waterborne path-
ogenic organisms to safe levels and lower the risk of
exposing the public to disease. Although disinfec-
tion methods range from chemical to physical, the
many disadvantages of chemical disinfectants,
specifically chlorine, have lead to increased interest
and use of ultraviolet (UV) light as an alternative.
The use of high doses of chlorine to disinfect water
leads to the production of carcinogenic and muta-
gcnic chloro-organics. These chloro-organics persist
in the environment and are not destroyed by
dechlorination methods that reduce chlorine resid-
uals. Consequently, alternative disinfection tech-
niques are becoming more widely used. Of the
more than 200,000 community drinking water sys-
tems in the United States and Canada, more than
2,000 use UV disinfection systems.
UV light disinfection is a well-established technolo-
gy; mercury lamps have been commercially avail-
able lor decades. The presence of mercury in these
lamps, however, is an environmental concern.
Additionally, the cost of the high doses of electrical
power required to operate mercury UV lamps re-
duces the attractiveness of using this technology. A
cost-ellective, environmentally friendly method ol
disinfecting drinking water is needed.
With support EPA's SBIR Program, Phoenix Science
& Technology, Inc. (PS&T), demonstrated the effica-
cy of its patented pulsed "Surface Discharge" (SD)
lamp to improve disinfection of drinking water. In
an SD lamp, a high-power electrical pulse is dis-
charged along the surface of a dielectric substrate,
generating a light-emitting plasma along its surface.
The SD lamp is free of mercury, a major concern
with commercial UV lamps currently in use, and
has a higher inherent UV elliciency than medium-
pressure mercury lamps, so that electrical costs of a
commercial system will be less.
UV light inactivates microorganisms by causing pho-
tochemical damage to nucleic acids. Absorption of
UV energy, mostly in the 220-300 nm wavelength
range, produces new bonds between adjacent nu-
cleotides, creating double molecules or dimmers
that prevent replication and result in cell death. The
amount of cell damage depends on the dose of UV
energy absorbed by a microorganism and its resis-
tance to UV light.
Tests conducted as part of this SBIR project in col-
laboration with water treatment researchers at
Duke University show that, in addition to higher
UV efficiency, the SD lamp has a significantly higher
in activation rate, on a pcr-dosc basis. Research to
date indicates that this is due to a combination of
the high intensity of the SD light pulses, which can
produce thermal effects, along with spectral differ-
ences in the UV output. The combination ol higher
inherent UV efficiency and higher inactivation rates
of the SD lamp make it especially suitable for disin-
fecting drinking water. This has the potential to
make UV disinfection practical for use with all
microbes.
:=3ll%
Stories
-------
Informs
PS&T is collaborating with major water treatment
companies to use SD UV lamps as replacements
for commercial mercury lamps. Trojan Technolo-
gies, Inc., has provided mercury lamps for use in
comparative testing and is working with PS&T to
implement a cost-effective SD lamp system into
their product line. The current SD lamp has been
designed to allow direct replacement in existing
water treatment systems. The nexl steps are to
develop a reactor optimized for the SD lamp's UV
spectrum and high intensity, demonstrate disinfec-
tion ot drinking \\aror, anil develop a commercial
prolol\pe.
Phoenix Science & Technology, Inc., was founded
in 1994 and is located in Chelmsford, Massa-
chusetts. The company carries out research and
develops innovative pulsed light and sound
sources, as well as related pulse power compo-
nents. PS&T works with leading researchers in
application areas to develop a quantitative scientif-
ic basis for the performance of its technologies.
PS&T licenses ils technology, collaborating with
manufacturers and end users to commercialize its
technologies.
PS&T employs 12 people and has a fully equipped
laboratory where il has developed underwater
acoustic sources, the SD lamp in an Advance
Tec hnology Program sponsored by the National
Institute of Standards and Technology, and used
the lamp for paint stripping and water treatment in
programs sponsored by EPA, the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development, and the
National Science Foundation.
drinking water disinfection
to physical, the of specif-
led to in the use of ultraviolet
(UV) as an alternative.
Phoenix Science & Technology, Inc. (PS&T),
disinfection of its surface
(SD) UV
The to two-thirds
the UV mercury is
may lower the cost of
H, PS&T is to
=i use SD UV as a for
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20 New England Business Center
Andover,MA 01810
Telephone: 978-689-0003
http://www.psicorp.com
In the United States, significant resources arc devot-
ed annually to leak inspection of natural gas trans-
mission and distribution pipelines. Leakage surveys
are critical to maintaining the integrity and safety of
the nation's pipelines and gas distribution systems.
Gas utility companies arc actively seeking remote
detection technology to improve the efficiency and
reduce maintenance costs of leak detection. To per-
form detection surveys, a service person musL enter
a property and walk the entire length of the service
line (from the main to the service entry point of the
building). If these surveys could be done at a dis-
tance, either from the sidewalk or as a drive-by
operation, significant savings could be achieved.
Mobile leak detector technology would help the
United States prepare to address a large, aging,
and expanding natural gas pipeline system.
With support from EPA's SBIR Program, the U.S.
Department of Energy, Northeast Gas Association,
and Health Consultants, Inc., Physical Sciences Inc.
(PSI) developed the Remote Methane Leak
Detector (RMLD). This technology uses an optical
detector that does not need to be located within
ihe gas leak plume. The leak detection device is
based on tunable diode laser absorption spec-
troscopy.
Remote detection of specific gases is achieved by
projecting a laser beam through the air to a target
(such as grass, foliage, or buildings). A fraction of
the laser beam is scattered from the surface and
returned back to the source where it is collected
and focused onto a detector. Gas molecules in the
air path will absorb specific frequencies of lighl in
a unique pattern as dictated by their structure and
spectroscopy. Because the laser beam can be easily
scanned over the survey area, the presence of
leaks can be quickly determined or eliminated.
The RMLD is a handheld device intended for use in
walking pipeline leak surveys. The device, about
ihe si/e of a breadbox, also can be mounted on top
of a vehicle. The laser beam can be projected from
the road or sidewalk above the path of the pipeline
to the home and indicate the presence or absence
of gas. If gas is detected, the survey crew then
would walk the length of the pipeline to locate the
leak. Because most surveys are negative, the tool
would eliminate the need to walk along these
pipes, reducing survey Limes (it takes only seconds
to make each measurement) and enabling more
efficient use of manpower.
The RMLD can be used to remotely determine the
presence of natural gas inside a building or con-
fined space. The RMLD also could be a valuable
tool for use by first responders to determine if an
area or building is safe for occupation or to locate
the source ol a leak after a natural disaster causes a
pipeline rupture. PSI recently conducted a success-
ful test of its prototype mobile natural gas detector,
which demonstrated the ability to spot natural gas
leaks from a distance of up to 30 feet from a vehi-
cle moving at speeds approaching 20 mph. The
device can detect methane plumes with concentra-
tions comparable to those of a pilot light as far
away as 100 feet. The RMLD has been successful at
locating all tvpes of leaks under a variety of field
conditions.
;s
-------
The prospect of replacing currently available gas
detectors that deploy technologies such as flame
ionization units and combustible gas indicators with
a laser-based device that can rapidly survey off-
road pipelines has great appeal to leak detection
companies. A conservative estimate indicates that
members of NYSEARCH—a premier natural gas
research, development, and demonstration pro-
gram—can save more than $1 million annually if a
remote gas leak detector is developed and imple-
mented. Preliminary estimates for walking survey
operations have projected savings in the range of
25-40%. Heallh Consultants, Inc., and PSI worked
together to build pre-commerdal instruments in
the spring of 2004, and NYSEARCH companies
field tested the device. Health Consultants, Inc.,
and PSI will begin production ol the RMLD in
2005, and will market the detector to the natural
gas industry. Heath Consultants, Inc., estimates that
3,000 units, valued at approximately $50 million,
will be sold by 2010. This SBIR project has led to
more than $1 million in additional funding to bring
this technology to the commercial market.
Founded in 1973, PSI is localecI in Andover,
Massachusetts, 30 minutes north of Boston. The
company has satellite offices in Steilmg, Virginia,
and San Ramon, California. PSI generates approxi-
mately $25 million in revenue annually, with 80%
of this revenue stemming from contracts with the
U.S. government. The company's core technologies
have been developed with more than $250 million
ol federal and industrial lunding. The SBIR Program
has played a pivotal role in PSI's technical and
commercial success, and has been responsible for a
family of intelligent instrumentation products based
on proprietary electro-optical and electromechani-
cal technologies. PSI focuses on providing contract
research and development seiuces in a variety ol
technical areas to both government and commer-
cial customers. The company develops advanced
technologies for aerospace, energy, environmental,
manufacturing, and medical applications.
Significant resources are devoted to of natural
g;15
PSI the (RMLD),
t:\lends the of remote detection of natural gas in distribu-
tion
The RMLD gas from a of up to 30
irom a at 20
The technology group of gas
m, $1 million
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614 River Street
Hoboken,NJ 07030
Telephone: 201-216-8680
http://www.plasmasol.com
The ability to clean organic contaminants from a
surface has many applications, ranging Irom semi-
conductor manufacturing to homeland defense,
where surface decontamination following a chemi-
cal or biological attack is critical. Surfaces that
potentially need to be cleaned include circuit
boards, historical and legal documents, art and
architecture, and medical instruments. A conven-
ient method of cleaning surfaces at the microscopic
level, however, without damaging them or using
harsh, dangerous, or environmentally unfriendly
chemicals, is a challenging problem. Plasma clean-
ing is one method of removing organic contami-
nants or oxidation layers, but traditional systems are
often complicated, capital-intensive, and require
exposure to dangerous chemicals.
With support from EPA's SBIR Program, PlasmaSol
Corporation developed a surface contaminant
destruction system that sterilizes surfaces in an
affected building following a chemical/biological
attack. PlasmaSol's technology is scalable and
portable—it can be transported throughout a build-
ing to decontaminate flat and odd-shaped surfaces.
In contrast to traditional plasma cleaning systems
that require vacuum systems, PlasmaSol developed
a decontamination system that operates at atmos-
pheric pressure and is lightweight, portable, nonde-
structive to the contaminated substrate, and elimi-
nates the need for exposure to harsh and dangerous
chemicals.
PlasmaSol's decontamination process replaces cur-
rent complicated and capital-intensive systems with
a low-cost, low-maintenance system providing
rapid, nontoxic, low-temperature performance. The
modular design of PlasmaSol's nonthermal plasma
technology permits the installation of only the de-
sired capacity, with the option of adding functional-
ity or capacity at a later time. This greatly reduces
the footprint, allowing such decontamination to be
located in remote and challenging locations.
The man-portable plasma cleaner weighs approxi-
mately 1 5 Ib. The handle is a telescoping pole that
can extend out to 5 feet and has a swivel attach-
ment that allows the user to adjust the angle of the
plasma emitter. This approach has numerous ad-
vantages over conventional decontamination meth-
ods, such as no exposure to toxic chemicals, and it
leaves contaminated substrates intact and reduces/
eliminates the need to dispose of hazardous
wastes. The power supply and gas delivery system
are located on the handle of the device.
The nondestructive nature, combined with the
sterilization performance of this innovation, makes
it an excellent candidate for use as a decontamina-
tion technology for sensitive items in which the use
of harsh solvents or autoclave sterilization is unfea-
sible (i.e., circuit boards, historical and legal docu-
ments, art and architecture, medical instruments).
PlasmaSol is developing approaches to use its tech-
nology against not only routine bacteria, viruses,
and allergens, but also terrorist-released chemical
Stories
-------
and biological pathogens. The technology applica-
tion is being pursued in collaboration with various
government agencies in addition to EPA.
Based in Hohoken, New Jersey, PlasmaSol Cor-
poration was established in 2000 Lo develop
processes and applications for a unique low-tem-
perature, room-pressure plasma invented by scien-
tists at Stevens Institute of Technology. Starting with
an exclusive license to this technology, PlasmaSol
has developed additional intellectual property for
effective surface treatment, engine emissions, and
air control quality as well as sterilization.
PlasmaSol builds on successful research and de-
velopment in the field of air cleaning, sanitizing,
and sterilizing. Notable clients and collaborators
include EPA; the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration; Defense Advanced Research Pro-
jects Agency; U.S. Army Research, Development
and Engineering Command; National Institute of
Justice; the Oklahoma City National Memorial
Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism; Stevens
Institute of Technology; the University of Medit ine
and Dentistry of New Jersey; and others. In 200 j,
the company developed a process for medical
instrument sleulization using the plasma as a gas
generator to produce a transient biocide based on
active chemic al radic als. The system was designed
around the conventional medical tray container
used to hold instruments during sterilization, stor-
age, and transport to the area ol final use, such as
an operating room.
Qc:3!iirt;4 amtarnuKiied surfaces at the microscopic
environmentally unhlendiv chemicals is a
PlasmaSol Corporation a portable surface contain-
in an
a
The at atmospheric pressure, is
weight, is to the
i The technology could
lj|_ sive a low-cost,
!|a nontoxic, low-temperature
ccest; d fortes
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26 Tech Valley Drive
East Greenbush, NY 12061
Telephone: 518-452-0065
http://rpco.com
On a typical day, a person can inhale more than 10
million microscopic and submicroscopic particles
with each breath; these particles are emitted from
motor vehicles and industrial sources, resuspended
by the wind, or formed in the atmosphere from
gaseous pollutants. The particles occur in a wide
range of shapes and sizes, and although individual
particles are invisible to the unaided eye, the collec-
tive effect of high concentrations of these particles in
the environment can have a variety of adverse
effects. Only in the past 10 years have scientists
begun to understand the magnitude of the health
effects associated with particulate air pollution (see
http://www.ioe.ucla.edu/publications/report01/Partic
ulateAirPollution.htm). Participate pollution has been
linked to reductions in lung function, increased hos-
pital and emergency room admissions, and prema-
ture deaths. The Natural Resources Defense Council
estimates that 64,000 premature deaths may be
attributable to particulate pollution each year. Epi-
demiological studies indicate a linear relationship
between exposure to particulate pollution and
effects, but scientists have not been able to identify
a threshold below which health effects do not occur.
An ambient particulate matter (PM) mass measure-
ment system is needed.
With support from EPA's SBIR Program, Rupprecht
& Patashnick Co., Inc. (R&P) developed the Series
8500 Filter Dynamics Measurement System
(FDMS™) to account for both the volatile and non-
volatile components of PM and report the combi-
nation as a mass concentration result. The device
measures the volatile portion of the sample inde-
pendently from the total incoming sample and uses
this fraction in calculating the PM mass concentra-
tion. The device provides a new PM measurement
approach that offers the ability to quantify more
representatively PM mass concentration as it exists
in ambient air.
The FDMS™ system takes into account the dynam-
ics of PM that has been deposited on a sample col-
lection filter and how that material behaves over
time. It is designed to provide high-quality, repre-
sentative PM mass concentration readings for both
short-term averages (1 hour) and 24-hour averages.
The system's basic output consists of running
1-hour average mass concentrations (in /Jg/m3) of
PM10 (particles smaller than 10 jum), PM2_5
(<2.5 jUnrn), or PM1 (<1 jUtn), updated every 6
minutes. It also computes the base mass concentra-
tion and reference mass concentration over the
same averaging times.
The FDMS™ instrument computes its running PM
mass concentration average based on independent
measurements of the base and reference mass con-
centrations. To accomplish this, the FDMS™ unit
constantly samples ambient air and uses a switching
valve to change the path of the main flow every 6
minutes. The sampling process consists of alternate
base and purge (filtered) to reference air streams
passing through the exchangeable filter in a tapered
clement oscillating microbalancc mass sensor.
During the base sampling periods, the sample air
stream passes through the sample filter for deter-
mining the base level of PM mass in the atmos-
phere. During the base sample periods, the sam-
pled gases are
diverted through
a chilled filter to
remove and
retain the ambi-
ent PM mass,
including semi-
volatile material.
The FDMS con-
tinuously meas-
ures the change
in mass on the
sample filter, cor-
recting the meas-
urement during
the base periods
with the refer-
ence measure-
ment periods,
reporting the
final ambient PM
mass levels.
;s
-------
lotYjirwadori
The California Air Resources Board (CAREH evalu-
ated the FDMS™ in Bakcrsficld, California, dining
a time of year when particulate nitrate < one enlia-
tions are particularly high and ambient tempera-
tures are at their lowest. Based on the results, the
CARB selected the device as a California Ap-
proved Sampler for both PM2.5 and PM10 as part
of standards promulgated in June 2003. Whether
for routine monitoring, regulatory monitoring,
mapping, forecasting, or air quality index applica-
tions, the FDMS™ unit is the most accurate, pre-
cise, representative PM monitoring instrumenta-
tion available today.
ids
Since its incorporation in 1981, R&P has commer-
cialized a number ol technologies in ihe lorm of
advanced instrumentation to address critical meas-
urement needs of customers around the world. The
East Greenbush, New York-based company has
experienced substantial growth over the years with
an average growth rate during the 1990s of more
than 25% per year. R&P specializes in the develop-
ment, manufacture, and marketing of technology-
leading products for applications thai require accu-
rate mass measurement or particle characterization.
Customers include air pollution moni-
toring networks, diesel engine manufac-
lurers, powei companies and catalyst
T piodmers. Due in part to the successful
development of its particulate monitor-
ing instruments, R&P was purchased by
Thermo Electron Corporation in 2005.
R&P was awarded the ISO 9002 certification in
early 1996 and ihe ISO 9001 designation in May
1997. R&P has been named by R&D Magazine as a
2004 R&D 100 Award winner in partnership with
the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health, the Bituminous Coal Operators' Associa-
tion, the United Mine Workeis of America, and the
National Mining Association. In addition, R&P and
two government laboratories jointly received a
2003 R&D 100 Award foi a technology that moni-
tored the venues of the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter
Olympic Games for bioaerosols.
An patticulaie matter (PM) ac-
counts for the PM PM
is
Kupprecht & Co., Inc.'s (R&P) Filter
Measurement (FDMS™) for both the
of PM.
The California Air Resources the FDMS™ as a California
Approved for PM, s PM10.
Hk R&P air
"s manufacturers, power producers.
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1664 E. Highland Road
Twinsburg, OH 44087
Telephone: 330-425-2354
http://vfww.sorbenttechnologies.com
Mercury becomes airborne as a pollutant when coal
and other substances burn and falls from the atmos-
phere into lakes and rivers, where it is absorbed by
microbes that are in turn eaten by fish. Mercury is
especially damaging to the brains of developing
fetuses and young children as a result of eating taint-
ed fish. In late 2000, EPA officially determined that
the regulation of mercury emissions trom U.S. power
plants is "both appropriate and necessary." In March
2005, EPA directed coal-fired power plants to re-
duce mercury emissions by almost 22% in the next 5
years. For those plants without flue gas desulfuriza-
tion—by far the largest segment of the market—the
dominant control method is expected to be activat-
ed carbon injection. The least expensive mercury
control technology to retrofit onto these plants is the
injection of a mercury-capturing sorbent material
into the ductwork ahead of the plants' parti cu I ate
removal systems.
With support from EPA's SB1R Program and the U.S.
Department of Energy, Sorbent Technologies Cor-
poration developed an inexpensive, proprietary
treatment for powdered activated carbon sorbent-
gas-phase bromination that increases its cost-effec-
tiveness for mercury control by about 300%.
Brominated powdered activated carbon (B-PAC™)
can cut the cost of mercury compliance at power
plants to approximately 25% of that of competitive
products or technologies. Utility capital costs are
virtually nil with the technology.
B-PAC™, a halogenated sorbent, has consistently
demonstrated high mercury removal rates at rela-
tively low injection levels across a wide vaiiety of
coals and configurations. Sorbcnt Tct hnologios has
tested the injection of B-PAC"' into power plant
flue gases for mercury removal at seven different
power plants. These plants have burned bitumi-
nous, subbituminous, lignite coals, and blends and
include testing with cold-side electrostatic precipi-
tators (ESPs), hot-side ESPs, spray dryers, and fabric
filters. Mercury removal performance at these sites
has been observed to vary between 70% and 98%,
at sorbent consumption costs of approximately
$2,000 to $20,000 per Ib of mercury removed,
considerably less costly than previous technologies.
B-PAC™ injection is now being tested on an
increasing number of full-scale coal-fired power
plant flue gas streams, all with similar positive
results.
In addition, the company has developed a s|
version of its mercury sorbents for plants that sell
their fly ash into concrete applications. Sorbent
Technologies also is working on a version for plants
with hot-side ESPs, two particularly difficult, high
value-added market niches.
In recent years, Sorbent Technologies has been scal-
ing up its proprietary B-PAC™ brominated pow-
dered activated carbon technology, demonstrating it
at three coal-fired boiler sites. Data from a number
of diverse power plant trials show that simple B-
PAC'" injection ahead of an existing particulate col-
lector can be a comparatively inexpensive, yet uni-
tormly effective mercury emission reduction strate-
gy. With B-PAC™, high-performance, low-cost
powei pi.ml mete ur\ t onlrol is now commercially
available. By the end of the decade, revenues of
more than $100 million ate expected as the com-
pany supplies B-PAC'" to utility customers. Sorbent
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Technologies can inexpensively use a mobile sor-
bent injection trailer to perform full-scale trials for
utilities ahead of any permanent installations,
allowing companies to "try before they buy."
Sorbcnt Technologies Corporation is located in
Twinsburg, Ohio, and has been working on mer-
cury control from flue gas streams for more than 8
years. Sorbent Technologies is currently one ol only
four companies that has demonstrated full-scale
utility sorbent injection mercury control and is the
onlv one using its own advanced sorbent. The
company completed the wot Id's first and only ded-
icated utility soibent pioduilion plant in the sum-
mer of 2004. This plant can profitably and continu-
ously supply approximately eight utility boilers at
present. The company had more than
: - ! • $2.5 million in revenues in 2002, and
more than $5 million in 2003, with
•r more than $300,000 in profits. Sorbent
__ ^ Technologies Corporation received a
2004 Bronze Medal Award from the
Environmental Business journal.
Ei'A directed operators of coal-fired power to cut emis-
sions by almost ^2% in the next 5 years.
• rbent Technologies Corporation developed an
'ominated powdered activated for mercury reomval.
activated (B-PAC™) cut the cost of
:iiry at power to 25% of that of competi-
tive products or
jk By the of the of $100 are
ilk as the B-PAC™ to
-------
12345 W. 52nd Avenue
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
Telephone: 303-422-7819
http://www.tda.com
Plasticizers are small, often volatile molecules
added to hard, stiff plastics to make them softer
and more flexible. Phthalate plasticizers are not
directly bound to polymers such as polyvinyl chlo-
ride (PVC) and can leach out of the plasticizcd
material. From environmental, health, and safety
perspectives, the loss of plasticizers to the sur-
rounding medium—whether air or soil in the
environment, saliva in the mouth of an infant, or
pharmaceutical solutions passing through intra-
venous tubing—is unacceptable and commercially
undesirable. Due to their known toxicity, the
European Union banned three phthalates and
restricted three more from toys and other child
care items. PVC is the second largest plastic sold,
and plasticizers are the highest volume additive
for PVC.
With support from EPA's SB1R Program, IDA
Research, Inc., developed a system that softens
plastics by forming a polymer nanocomposite that
does not become brittle and contaminate its sur-
roundings by leaching its plasticizer. Polymer
nanocomposites are a combination of a polymeric
host matrix and additive particles that are smaller
than 100 nrn. Properly designed nanoparticles
can be dispersed into a polymer, and the unusual
behavior of the polymer at the nanoparticle sur-
face can change the overall bulk physical proper-
tics of the composite. There is a syncrgistic effect
of combining nano-particles with polymers that is
well beyond the sum of the properties of both
phases, and revolutionary improvements in the
properties of the resulting composite materials
can be achieved.
Plasticizers change the properties of a polymer by
increasing the free volume between polymer
chains, allowing more chain movement, which
translates to more flexibility of the softened plastic.
TDA has shown that plasticizers anchored to
nanoparticles can soften PVC but cannot escape
from the polymer. Although the nanoparticles resis-
ted efforts to migrate out of the polymer, the
nanocomposite PVC exhibited a lower glass transi-
tion temperature, tensile strength, and modulus,
indications of the formation of a softer, more plasti-
cized material. Both rigid and traditionally plasti-
cized PVC formulations showed increased plasti-
cization with the addition of TDA's nanoparticles.
The addition of TDA's nanoparticles resulted in the
additional benefit of increased plasticizer perma-
nence. In PVC formulations plastici/ed with cli-
octylphthlate, the addition of small (2-5%) amounts
of TDA's nanoparticles significantly decreased the
percent of plasticizer lost to air, activated carbon,
and aqueous and organic solvents. This improved
retention feature decreases the amount of phthalate
leaching from plasticized materials and could
increase the service lifetimes of soft PVC materials.
As a result of EPA's SBIR funding, TDA made signifi-
cant advances in areas vital to commercializing
hybrid nanoparticles. TDA's nanoparticles are
designed to be inexpensive and attractive to the
commodity polymer materials market. TDA scaled
up production of nanoparticles from the gram to
Stories
-------
the kilogram scale and developed preparative
methods that arc environmentally benign and can
be carried out with simple "bucket chemistry"
techniques. TDA established ongoing collaborations
with several commercial partners and has extended
this technology to other plastics. In addition to the
anchored plasticizer nanoparticles developed for
PVC, TDA also gained knowledge that allowed for
the development of additional applications, such as
impact modifiers and nanoparticles as carriers for
colorants and antimicrobials.
TDA Research, Inc., was founded in 1987 and is
located in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. The company
carries out research and development for propri-
etary technology in advanced materials and chemi-
cal processes that it can either manufacture or
license. TDA employs 65 individuals, nearly all
with degrees in either chemistry or chemical and
mechanical engineering (two-thirds of whom have
advanced degrees). In the past 2 years, in partner-
ships with major companies that are leaders in
their fields, TDA successfully commercialized the
large-scale manufacture of lullerenes and a direct
oxidation process that removes and recovers sulfur
from natural gas. TDA also commercialized elec-
tronically conducting polymers that are made easi-
er to process because they disperse in organic sol-
vents.
From environmental, health, and perspectives, the loss of plasticiz-
r:rs to the is unacceptable unde-
sirable.
TDA developed a by a polymer nano-
composite that become its
by its
"FDA's are to be inexpensive to the
commodity polymer
sk TDA
i|! partners and has extended this technology to other
-------
651 Beacon Parkway West, Suite 214
Birmingham, AL 35209
Telephone: 205-945-0098
http://www.usinfrastructure.com
Slormwaler has been identified as one of the major
sources of surface water pollution by EPA. To pre-
vent further contamination to surface water bodies,
stormwater needs to be treated at the source. A
number of studies have linked pollutants in storm-
water runoff with specific sources, such as paved
parking lots and gas stations. Runoff from paved
parking areas, storage areas, and gas stations can be
contaminated with concentrations of many critical
pollutants. These paved areas generally contribute
most of the pollutant loadings of toxicants to
stormwater. Numerous manufacturers have devel-
oped proprietary devices to treat stormwater runoff
at these critical source areas. These devices have
been designed to treat one or more common
stormwater pollutants such as solids, metals, oil and
grease, nutrients, or bacteria; however, very lew
have been designed to treat all of the pollutants in a
single device.
With support from EPA's SBIR Program, USInfra-
structure, Inc. (USI), developed an upflow filter
technology that is a low-cost, low-maintenance fil-
tration system lor stormwater treatment. Stormwater
filters with a mixed sand/organic media operated in
an upflow mode have the potential to eliminate
many of the disadvantages associated with conven-
tional downflow stormwater filters. The main draw-
back of downflow filtration is the frequent clogging
of the filters and the regular maintenance that is
integral to long-term downflow operation. In loca-
tions where the filter is receiving large suspended
solids loadings, the filter size must be large to have
a long filter run before maintenance. To reduce the
large filter surface area, the stormwater runoff must
be pretreated to remove the solids loading prior to
entry to the filter. One alternative to prctroatmont
would be to operate the filters in an upflow mode.
USI's upflow filter is designed so that it is easily
adapted to fit in inlets of different sizes. The upflow
filter sizes can be changed to fit a specific site's
needs. The upflow filter eliminates degradation of
performance due to filter clogging that is a
weakness of all existing filtration competitor tech-
nologies. Therefore, maintenance costs are low
compared to downflow filters. Additionally this fil-
ter setup does not require electricity at individual
installation locations. The upflow filter is basically a
catch basin insert, designed to be compact and
inexpensive for easy installation and maintenance.
Stormwater enters through a grated inlet. Heavier
particles settle in the sump, and the water enters
the filter through a screen, leaving all of the debris
behind. The water is pushed upwards through the
filter media and then downwards, and finally, into
an effluent pipe. The primary advantage to this
approach is that stormwater passes through the fil-
ter media twice, and heavier particles settle belore
they can enter the filter because of the sump at the
bottom of the filter.
Based on the laboratory testing performed to date,
USI believes that stormwater filters with a mixed
sand/organic media and operated in an upflow
mode can solve many of the problems found in
conventional downtlow stormwater filters.
USI's patent application currently is under review
by the U.S. Patent Office, and the company knows
of no other patents for this particular technology.
Additionally, USI's technology has been accepted
Effluent
30-cm
Gravel
Sump
,— Perforated Retention
Plate for FiRer Media
Perforated Support
• Plate for Filler Media
- Influent
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into EPA's Environmental Technology Verification
(ETV) Program. USI is collaborating with Hydro
Compliance Management, Inc., located in Ann
Arbor, Michigan. This company will license the
process and be responsible for marketing it. Hydro
Compliance Management also will provide mainte-
nance services to filter owners. USI and Hydro
Compliance Management have identified a num-
ber of commercialization opportunities, including
"hot spot" areas such as drains downstream from
dumpstcrs, material storage areas, truck loading/
unloading areas, and fueling operations; municipal-
ities in urban areas that will have to begin imple-
menting programs to reduce pollutant tunoff from
Iheir laulilies; and government-owned entities
lequned to obtain peimits and implement controls
for defined industrial activities.
USI is an employee-owned professional engineer-
ing firm that was founded in 1994. USI currently
has approximately 260 employees. The company's
corporate headquarters is located in Birmingham,
Alabama. USI's primary expertise is planning, de-
signing, program management, and construction
management for projects related to environmental
engineering, water and wastewater management,
water resources, watershed studies and manage-
ment, natural gas lines tianspoitation asset man-
agement, civil design, construction management,
geogiaphic information systems, and information
technologies. USI has offices across the United
Slates and in New Delhi, India. USI clients include
EPA; the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; the
Department of the Navy; Alabama, Tennessee,
Georgia, and Oklahoma Departments of
Transportation; and a variety of state, municipal,
and private clients.
Runoff'rrom paved parkm;-; areas, gas can be con-
of
the to
USI developed an filter a has the
to solve of the down-
flow
One advantage of USI's Is the
twice, and heavier before they can the filter,
USI is collaborating Hydro Compliance Inc.,
will licence the process, be for it, provide
maintenance services to
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942 Millbrook Avenue, Suite 6
Aiken,SC 29803
Telephone: 803-641-0085
http://www.veetechpc.com
The presence of dissolved arsenic in contaminated
groundwater has emerged as a major concern for
drinking water supplies on a global scale. Sources of
dissolved arsenic in groundwaler include natural
geochemical contamination through soil leaching,
combustion of fossil fuels, and inorganic arsenic,
which occurs as As(III) or As(V) in drinking water and
poses a great threat to human health. Exposure to
higher levels of arsenic in drinking water can lead to
thickening and decoloration of skin; nausea and
diarrhea; decreased production of blood vessels;
and skin cancer and tumors of the bladder, kidney,
liver, and lung. As a result of the problems associat-
ed with arsenic exposure, EPA passed a regulation to
lower the arsenic concentration from 50 ppb to 10
ppb in drinking water. More than 4,000 water utili-
ties serving approximately 20 million people will
need corrective action to comply with the new reg-
ulation.
With support from EPA's SBIR Program, VEETech,
P.C., in collaboration with Lehigh University, devel-
oped a family ol polymeric-inorganic hybrid sor-
bcnts, known as MIX, that can selectively capture all
forms of arsenic and other co-contaminants from
drinking water. HIX can be used in a fixed-bed con-
liguration without the need for any pre- or post-
treatment. HIX also can be regenerated and reused
for many cycles of operation, thus yielding a very
low life cycle cost of treatment. The regenerant can
be stabilized and disposed of as nonhazardous
waste. HIX is accepted by EPA for the simultaneous
removal of arsenic and multiple co-contaminants
from drinking water.
HIX exhibits the following characteristic s toi re-
moval of arsenic in drinking water: i P PX< el-
lent mechanical strength and attrition resistance;
(2) selectivity towards both As(lll) and As(V);
(3) requires no prc- or post-treatment (e.g., pH);
(4) does not alter the electrolytic quality of treated
water; (5) generates no fines or pressure drops
during long-term column operation; (6) can treat
up to 40,000 bed volumes of water per cycle and
can be regenerated up to 20-30 cycles of opera-
tion; and (7) can remove multiple contaminants
such as radium, uranium, and perchlorate along
with arsenic.
A majority of the small- and medium-sized drinking
water utilities require an arsenic removal system
that is easy to operate, low cost, needs minimal
operator attention or training, is forgiving towards
fluctuations in feed compositions, does not require
frequent regeneration or disposal, and requires
minimal start-up time. A fixed-bed HIX arsenic
removal system meets all of these desirable attrib-
utes and is ideal for use by the small- and medium-
sized utilities that arc most affected by EPA's 10 ppb
standard for total arsenic.
Although the primary focus ol the HIX technology is
the removal of arsenic from drinking water, it also
can be selectively applied to separate a host of
heavy metal contaminants from other aqueous
streams, such as fly ash and coal pile leachate from
electric generating stations, and wash water and
drainage from mining operations. Both of those
streams contain several heaw metal contaminants
Ihal will require trealment to meet increasingly
stringent discharge standards. In addition, this sys-
tem will lemove natural inannim (torn drinking
water sources. The technology can be configured as
-------
a permanent or mobile system. The basic compo-
nents are one or two columns and a small number
of tanks and pumps. The H1X system also c an be
retrofitted as a polishing unit downstioam of the
existing water distribution system.
engineering, consulting, construction, and remedia-
tion services to a variety of clients, including the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, North Carolina
Department of Transportation, South Carolina
Department of Health and Environmental Control,
Georgia Power Corporation, and Lucent Tech-
nologies, Inc. VEETech, also has created a techno-
logical niche in implementing cost-effective pollu-
tion control technologies, such as BIOSORPTION®,
an advanced form of biofiltration that treats a wide
variety of volatile organic compounds.
Based on the results of pilot studies, EPA selected
VEETech's MIX technology for demonstration at a
site in Lake Isabella, California. This will be the first
full-scale commercial MIX system built. Commer-
cialization of the HlX-hased fixed-bed arsenic re-
moval technology can benefit the numerous drink-
ing water utilities affected bv arsenic concentrations
in excess of the maximum concentration limit. The
simplicity, versatility, and cost of the MIX technolo-
gy are expected to play a significant role in the
environmental compliance of drinking water sup-
pliers.
The technology has very good export potential to
the countries suffering from acute arsenic toxicity.
The ability of MIX to simultaneously remove arsenic
and other co-contaminants (e.g., uranium, radium,
chromium) from aqueous sources is beginning to
garner attention and may set this media apart from
its competition.
The presence of dissolved Arsenic in has
^merged as a for on a.
•"EETech, developed a of polymeric-inorganic
aown as HIX, all of arsenic
o-contaminants
i fixed-bed HIX is for use by the
nednim-sized are by EPA's 10 for
tbsed on the of pilot studies, EPA VEETech's technolo-
gy for full-scale at a site in Isabella, California.
VEETech, P.C., is a certified 8a organization with
locations in Gary, North Carolina; Aiken, South
Carolina; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded
in 1996, the company provides environmental
-------
activated carbon, 8, 14, 56-58
air, 8, 10-19, 22-27, 32, 33, 36, 38-40, 42, 46, 47,
50, 53-56, 58
arsenic, 6, 7, 20, 21, 30, 31, 62, 63
bacteria, 53, 60
ballast water, 22, 23
chlorine, 34, 48, 49
chromium, 26, 27, 32, 33, 36, 37, 63
coatings, 27, 32-34, 36, 37
decontamination, 16, 34, 52, 53
diesel engines, 18, 19
disinfection, 22, 34, 48, 49
drinking water, 6, 7, 44, 45, 48, 49, 62, 63
endocrine disruption, 28
ETV, 43, 61
filter, 16, 24, 25, 54, 55, 60, 61
filtration, 24, 25, 60
hydrogen peroxide, 22, 23
indoor air, 16
invasive species, 22, 23
iron, 58, 59
lead, 8, 20, 21, 30, 42,43, 48
leak detection, 46, 47, 50, 51
mercury, 6, 8, 9, 12, 30, 31, 33, 48, 49, 56, 57
metals, 30-33, 60
nanoparticles, 58, 59
natural gas, 10, 30, 31, 39, 46, 47, 50, 51,
59, 61
NOX, 10, 11, 18, 19, 38
nutrients, 60
ozone, 10, 16, 18, 24, 34, 35, 37
oxidation, 22, 28, 52, 59
particulate matter, 44, 54, 55, 58
pathogens, 53
PET, 41
phytoremediation, 20, 21
plasma, 16, 17, 48, 52, 53
plasticizers, 58, 59
plating, 26, 27, 32, 33
polymers, 19, 24, 32, 38, 40, 41, 58, 59
PVC, 58, 59
recycling, 8, 18, 20, 26, 27, 38, 39
remediation, 20, 21, 31, 35, 42, 44, 45
sorbents, 6-9, 56, 62, 63
stormwater, 60, 61
UV, 48, 49
VOCs, 16, 24, 25
wastewater, 22, 30, 31, 35, 36, 61
water, 8, 10, 18, 20, 22-24, 26-29
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Stories
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