United States Office of Exploratory Environmental Protection Research Agency Washington, DC 20460 Research and Development Abstracts of Phase I and Phase II Awards Small Business Innovation Research Program 1989 yVVjL"5'*. Ia i \ \ SBIR ------- U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM For Fiscal Year 1989 PHASE I AWARDEES PROGRAM SOLICITATION D900011M1 PHASE II AWARDEES PROGRAM SOLICITATION D900012M1 Prepared by Office of Research and Development Office of Exploratory Research U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Washington, DC 20460 ------- DISCLAIMER This brochure has been reviewed and approved for publication in accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency policy. Any mention of trade names or commercial products in the brochure does not in any manner constitute endorsement or recommendation for its use. ------- TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWORD 1 ABSTRACT OF PHASE I AWARDS 3 A. DRINKING WATER TREATMENT 4 1. COAGULANT DOSE CONTROL BY CAPILLARY ELECTROPHORESIS 4 Hi Lo Tech, Ltd. Boulder, CO 80301 2. SAFE AND ECONOMICAL CHLORINE DIOXIDE GENERATION 5 Eltech Research Corporation Fairport Harbor, OH 44077 3. EVALUATION OF CLINOPTILOLITE ZEOLITE FOR REMOVAL OF LEAD FROM DOMESTIC DRINKING WATER 5 Teague Mineral Products and Hydrokinetic Systems, Inc. Salem, OR 97302 D. SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL 6 4. A NOVEL IDEA FOR PHOTO-CONVERSION OF HAZARDOUS CHLOROCARBON INDUSTRIAL WASTES TO USABLE HYDROCARBON FUELS 6 M. L. Energia, Inc. Princeton, NJ 08542 5. USE OF A CYCLONE COMBUSTOR TO CONVERT MUNICIPAL INCINERATOR FLY ASH TO INERT SLAG 7 Coal Tech Corp. Merion, PA 19066 6. PLASTIC SOLID WASTE REDUCTION BY USE OF BIODEGRADABLE REINFORCING FILLERS .... 8 Southeastern Reduction Co. Valdosta, GA 31603 7. INNOVATIVE INCINERATION TECHNOLOGY FOR FIBERGLASS MANUFACTURING SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL/RECYCLING ... 8 Vortec Corporation Collegeville, PA 19426 i ------- 8. DEVELOPMENT OF IMPROVED COUPLED-TRANSPORT MEMBRANES FOR THE RECOVERY AND RECYCLE OF METAL IONS Bend Research, Inc. Bend, OR 97701-8599 9. SURFACTANT FLUSHING/WASHING--AN INNOVATIVE METHOD OF HAZARDOUS WASTE TREATMENT Eckenfelderlnc. Nashville, TN 37228 10. DESTRUCTION OF ORGANIC HAZARDOUS WASTE BY THE HDI ELECTRIC ARC PROCESS Applied Research Associates, Inc. Albuquerque, NM 87110 P. CONTROL OP ACID RAIM PRECURSORS 11. DEVELOPMENT OF AN NO, SENSOR FOR SMALL STATIONARY AND MOBILE SOURCES Catalytica, Inc. Mountain View, CA 94043 12. NEW METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE NOx FROM STATIONARY GAS ENGINES Energy and Environmental Research Corp. Whitehouse, NJ 08888 13. FEASIBILITY STUDY OF A PULSE COMBUSTOR IN-FURNACE NOx REDUCTION CONTROL TECHNIQUE Altex Technologies Corp. Santa Clara, CA 95054 14. MICROBIAL REMOVAL OF ORGANIC SULFUR FROM COAL J. K Research Bozeman, MT 59715 6. PROCESS IKSTRPMENTATION POR IMPROVED POLLUTION CONTROL 15. CONTINUOUS MONITORING FOR NzO AND N02 . . PSI Technology Company Andover, MA 01810 16. A PROPOSED CONTINUOUS MONITOR FOR STACK EMISSION OR PROCESS EFFLUENTS WITH RECORDER/CONTROLLER FUNCTION Moduspec Company Wayland, MA 01778 9 10 10 11 11 12 12 13 14 14 14 ii ------- 17. OPTRODE DEVELOPMENT FOR REAL-TIME ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING 15 Cape Cod Research Buzzards Bay, MA 02532 18. IMPROVED POLLUTION CONTROL USING RAMAN SCATTERING GAS ANALYSIS 16 Albion Instruments Salt Lake City, UT 84116 H. AIR POLLUTION CONTROL 16 19. FAST LIGHTOFF CATALYTIC CONVERTER .... 16 Precision Combustion/ Inc. New Haven, CT 06511 20. TRACE METAL AEROSOL CONTROL IN INCINERATORS 17 PSI Technology Company Andover, MA 01810 21. CONTROL OF VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUND (VOC) EMISSIONS FROM INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES 18 Catalytica, Inc. Mountain View, CA 94043 22. DIESEL EMISSION OXIDIZER SYSTEM (DEO) FOR THE CONTROL OF PARTICULATE EMISSIONS FROM DIESEL ENGINES 19 Converter Technology Inc. Jackson, MI 49201 I. WASTE REDUCTION AND POLLUTION PREVENTION ... 20 23. HYDROCARBON RECOVERY FROM PETROLEUM TRANSFER OPERATIONS 20 Membrane Technology and Research, Inc. Menlo Park, CA 94025 24. MOBILE ZONE PAINT SPRAY BOOTH FOR REDUCTION OF VOC CONTAMINATED AIR .... 20 Clyde Smith, Engineer Nashville, TN 37215 25. HIGH-SPEED RECYCLING PROCESS FOR PHOSPHATE INDUSTRY WASTE 21 Science Ventures, Inc. San Diego, CA 92123 iii ------- 26. DOUBLE HEAT EXCHANGES SYSTEM FOR MINIMIZING ENERGY AND POLLUTION CONTROL COSTS IN INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES Energy Innovations, Inc. Houston, TX 77054 27. FREEZE CONCENTRATION AND RECYCLE OF PLATING WASTES Exstar International Corporation Dumfriese, VA 22026 ABSTRACT OF PHASE II AWARDS A. DRINKING WATER TREATMENT 1. MEMBRANE PERVAPORATION FOR REMOVAL OF ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS FROM DRINKING-WATER SUPPLIES—PHASE II Bend Research, Inc. Bend, OR 97701 2. HEAVY METAL REMOVAL AT THE ppb LEVEL FROM CULINARY WATER OR ACID MATRICES USING NOVEL SILICA GEL BONDING MACROCYCLES AND OTHER LIGANDS IBC Advanced Technologies orem, UT 84057 B. MUNICIPAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND POLLUTION CONTROL 3. PROCESS MODIFICATION TO MINIMIZE TOXIC CHEMICAL GENERATION IN VERMICULITE PROCESSING Enoree Minerals Corporation Laurens, SC 29360 D. SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL AND POLLUTION CONTROL 4. CHLORINATED PLASTICS SEPARATION FROM MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE National Recovery Technologies, Inc. Nashville, TN 37214 G. PROCESS INSTRUMENTATION FOR IMPROVED POLLUTION CONTROL 5. NOVEL SENSORS FOR METAL-ION DETECTION AND QUANTIFICATION Bend Research, Inc. Bend, OR 97701-8599 21 22 24 25 25 26 27 27 28 28 29 29 iv ------- 6. RAPID ENZYME IMMUNOASSAY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL HAZARDS 3 0 Bio-Metric Systems, Inc. Eden Prairie, MN 55344 7. FEASIBILITY OF AN INTEGRATED, CONTINUOUS PROCESS USING AUTOMATIC INSTRUMENTATION AND STATISTICAL ANALYSES TO REDUCE COSTS AND TO INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF LEAK DETECTION AND POLLUTION CONTROL IN UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS 31 Production Monitoring and Control Co. San Antonio, TX 78217 8. LOW COST OPTICAL PROBE FOR ON-LINE EMISSIONS 32 Insitec San Ramon, CA 94583 H. AIR POLLUTION CONTROL 33 9. MATERIALS FOR THE SELECTIVE ADSORPTION OF CARBON MONOXIDE 33 TDA Research, Inc. Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 10. Pt/Rh/Y-STABILIZED—ZIRCONIA CATALYST FOR THE TREATMENT OF AUTOMOTIVE EXHAUST GAS . 34 PCP Consulting and Research, Inc. Lawrencevilie, NJ 08648 11. ADDITIVES FOR NOx EMISSIONS CONTROL FROM FIXED SOURCES (PE-168) 35 PSI Technology company Andover, MA 01810 12. RECOVERY OF HALOCARBON VAPORS BY MEMBRANES 35 Membrane Technology and Research, Inc. Menlo Park, CA 94025 INDEX OF AWARDEES 37 v ------- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Small Business Innovation Research Program This brochure contains abstracts of the 27 Phase I awards and 12 Phase II awards made in 1989 by the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. The SBIR Program funds high- risk research in EPA program areas that could lead to significant opportunities and public benefits if the research is successful. The EPA SBIR Program encourages proposals in advanced application areas in the field of environmental engineering and environmental monitoring instrumentation, where it is directly connected to pollution control processes. Objectives of the three-phase program, in addition to supporting high-quality research, include stimulating technological innovation, increasing the commercial applications of EPA supported research, and improving the return on investment from Federally funded research for its economic and social benefits to the nation. The SBIR Program is highly competitive. In 1989, the SBIR Program received 300 Phase I proposals which resulted in 25 awards. Phase I provides up to $50,000 for six months to determine, as much as possible within these limitations, whether the research idea appears technically feasible, whether the small firm can do high- quality research. If the project achieves these goals sufficiently, and excels competitively, this then justifies larger government support in Phase II. The Phase I final report serves as a base for follow-on funding commitment discussions assisting in ascertaining success. Phase II is the principal research effort for those projects that appear most promising after the first phase and averages $150,000 for a period of one to two years. In 1989, the 12 Phase II awards were selected from 22 Phase II proposals resulting from the 25 Phase I awards made in 1988. Phase III is the product (or process) development phase, and involves follow-on non-Federal funding, such as from venture capital or large industrial firms, to pursue potential commercial applications of the government-funded research. No SBIR funds are provided in Phase III. 1 ------- Walter H. Preston, Program Manager Donald F. Carey, Science Advisor U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Exploratory Research (RD-675) 4 01 M Street, SW Washington, DC 20460 (202) 382-7445 2 ------- ABSTRACT OF PHASE I AWARDS SBIR 1989 3 ------- A. DRINKING WATER TREATMENT 1. COAGULANT DOSE CONTROL BY CAPILLARY ELECTROPHORESIS Hi Lo Tech, Ltd. 1750 30th Street, #605 Boulder, CO 80301 (303) 449-6826 Roger M. Jorden, Principal Investigator EPA Region 8 Amount: $49,995 Successful drinking water purification requires proper coagulation, usually with alum, for removal of disease transmitting organisms. The growing national need for improved performance of purification involving coagulation-f iltration could best be helped by use of an automated coagulant dose control instrument. The best technology available now is streaming current detectors. Their major shortcomings—confusion over what they actually measure and the need for frequent calibration by skilled professionals—are probably the reasons they have been used in only about 1% of the plants which could benefit from a reliable instrument. Capillary Zone Electrophoresis (CZE), a new chemical analysis technique, offers great promise as a basis for automated measurement of colloid particle charge, electrophoretic mobility. This proposal will determine the feasibility of using CZE as the basis of a new coagulant dose control instrument. The goal is to evaluate the technical suitability of CZE for coagulant dose control through two major activities: (1) improve the design of an existing Hi Lo Tech, Ltd. instrument, and (2) perform tests in the laboratory and in an operating water treatment plant. Some major questions that will be addressed are: (1) how can potential problems such as tube plugging, fouling, and gas bubble formation be solved, (2) what is a suitable detector, (3) what are appropriate on-line calibrating chemicals, (4) what are the design features necessary for a reliable, automated instrument, and (5) approximately what would an instrument cost? / The proposed CZE based instrument is attractive because it directly measures colloid particle charge, even at quite low concentrations. Unlike streaming current detectors, a CZE instrument can easily be calibrated (frequently) on-line with known standards. It may also enable widespread use of a more efficient drinking water purification process, such as direct filtration. 4 ------- 2. SAFE AND ECONOMICAL CHLORINE DIOXIDE GENERATION Eltech Research Corporation 625 East Street Fairport Harbor, OH 44077 (216) 357-4066 or 357-4045 Richard J. Coin, Principal investigator EPA Region 5 Amount: $49,981 Safe, cost effective alternatives to chlorine treatment of drinking water for distribution and disinfection have been sought for some time. Chlorine dioxide is a viable alternative to chlorine for the treatment of even poor quality water supplies and the reduction of potential cancer causing chlorinated organics. Its widespread use has been inhibited by the costs and/or complexity of its production, contaminants, and low value by-products. An electrochemical method of producing contaminant-free C102 from chlorate which offers significantly lower costs, better control over the C10? production rate, a more useful by-product, no resxdual waste, and safer operation compared with conventional chlorate routes, is proposed to overcome these inhibitions. 3. EVALUATION OF CLINOPTILOLITE ZEOLITE FOR REMOVAL OF LEAD FROM DOMESTIC DRINKING WATER Teague Mineral Products and Hydrokinetic Systems, Inc. 1340 20th S.E. (Hydrokinetics) Salem, OR 97302 (503) 339-4385 or 585-5144 Dave Leppert, Principal Investigator Ken Dunder, Co-Principal Investigator EPA Region 10 Amount: $42,668 The desireable physical characteristics of lead are responsible for its widespread use in water distribution systems plumbing systems, even though very low levels of lead may pose a significant health hazard and cause learning disabilities in children. Though municipal water supplies generally have very low lead levels, they frequently become contaminated with lead from the distribution system and/or domestic plumbing. Proposed Environmental Protection Agency regulations will reduce the problem through corrosion control, but not entirely cure it. Clinoptilolite zeolite, a naturally occurring mineral with a high ion-exchange capacity, can selectively remove lead from water. Current research at the U.S. Bureau of Mines and the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory shows that ion-exchange columns containing clinoptilolite can reduce lead levels to well 5 ------- below the drinking water standard from relatively high initial concentrations. This, and other research, indicates that clinoptilolite zeolite may provide an effective media for use in filters to treat drinking water. However, detailed data are needed to develop effective, low-cost filters using clinoptilolite for lead removal. Most importantly, this study will address questions such as the contact time needed for lead removal, the effective capacity at relatively high flow rates, and parameters such as the optimum particle size to maximize efficiency while maintaining good flow characteristics. Results of this research will be used to develop drinking water filters for domestic use at the tap and for use in schools and other public places. The investigators expect to reduce the lead in contaminated water from relatively high levels such as lppm to significantly less than 50ppb, the current drinking water standard, through ion-exchange with clinoptilolite zeolite. It may be possible to achieve levels of lOppb or less. If successful, this will allow the investigators to proceed with Phase II, development of an inexpensive water filtration cartridge for home use either as an under the sink type filter cartridge or a counter top unit. Following Phase II, the investigators intend to procure venture capital for commercial production of a filtration unit containing clinoptilolite zeolite for home use. Secondarily, they intend to develop filtration units for use with drinking fountains used in public and industrial places. D. SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL 4. A HOVEL IDEA FOR PHOTO-CONVERSION OF HAZARDOUS CHLOROCARBON INDUSTRIAL WASTES TO USABLE HYDROCARBON FUELS M. L. Energia, Inc. P. o. Box 1468 Princeton, NJ 08542 (609) 799-7970 Moshe Lavid, Principal Investigator EPA Region 2 Amount: $50,000 Hazardous waste disposal is one of the main concerns of EPA. The dominant process for toxic waste treatment, specifically chlorocarbons, has been incineration, 6 ------- However, the intolerable quantities of polychlorinated halocarbons (PCHC) detected in effluents of incinerators have raised serious doubts as of the wide application of this technology. Utilization of a reducing atmosphere can dramatically decrease the concentrations of PCHC in the emission, but it creates unacceptable amounts of solid carbon. The investigators propose a novel method for safe conversion of halocarbons that has the potential to alleviate these problems. This method involves a photo-initiated reaction between chlorinated hydrocarbons (C1HC) and methane (or hydrogen) to produce chlorine-free usable hydrocarbon fuels. The process will be conducted at temperatures below 600K. This will circumvent soot formation which is characteristic of higher temperature thermal processes and will substantially reduce energy cost. Phase I will be an experimental study with five tasks: construction of a versatile photochemcial apparatus, photolysis of CH2C12/CH4, CH2C12/H2 mixtures and analysis of product distribution, determination of best (highest conversion) soot free condition, extension of photolysis and products analysis to other chlorocarbons (CHC1,, C^Clj) , and finally investigation of the important process parameters. Phase I will provide a technical foundation for Phase II research and development on a prototype reactor to convert ubiquitous industrial waste. 5. USE OF A CYCLONE COMBUSTOR TO CONVERT MUNICIPAL INCINERATOR FLY ASH TO INERT SLAG Coal Tech Corp. P. 0. BOX 154 Merion, PA 19066 (215) 667-0442 Bert Zauderer, Principal Investigator EPA Region 3 Amount: $49,697 An advanced air cooled, cyclone coal combustor will be used to demonstrate its technical feasibility for the efficient conversion of fly ash from municipal incinerators to slag. Two sets of short duration parametric tests will be performed in which fly ash will be injected in a commercial scale combustor installed on a 17,500 lb/hr package boiler, located in Wiliamsport, Pennsylvania. The objective of the test will be to demonstrate that the fly ash can be converted to slag with a minimum of fuel heat input and with essentially no loss of metal vapors in the stack exhaust gases. The output of the Phase I effort will be the experimental 7 ------- demonstration of the feasibility of the ash to slag conversion, as well as an initial conceptual design of a combustor specifically designed for the ash to slag conversion process. Also, data on the economic competitiveness of this process versus other ash to slag conversion approaches will be generated. This will be followed by more extensive parametric and long duration tests in Phase II. 6. PLASTIC SOLID WASTE REDUCTION BY USE OF BIODEGRADABLE REINFORCING FILLERS Southeastern Reduction Co. P. 0. Box 5366 Valdosta, GA 31603 (912) 244-1321 or 244-1324 John Nizio, Principal Investigator EPA Region 4 Amount: $48,602 Organic biodegradable fillers are manufactured to optimize particle shape for reinforcement value in polyethylene. Filler is also "surface modified" to enhance compatibility and bond strength at the filler- polymer interface. Three different particle size fillers are used in polymer substitution rates of 10, 20, 30, and 40% during compounding. Optimum compounding and molding conditions are determined as a function of tensile mechanical properties. This research is designed to address the compatibility and product performance problems currently associated with organic fillers used in plastics to improve biodegradability. 7. INNOVATIVE INCINERATION TECHNOLOGY FOR FIBERGLASS MANUFACTURING SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL/RECYCLING Vortec Corporation 3770 Ridge Pike Collegeville, PA 19426 (215) 489-2255 James G. Hnat, Principal Investigator EPA Region 3 Amount: $49,903 The production of insulation fiberglass results in substantial quantities of waste products which must be disposed of in hazardous waste landfills in some states. The cost of landfilling these materials at a single plant is often in excess of $1 million/year which, in the end, is passed on to the American consumers and takes up valuable landfill space. 8 ------- The development of an advanced incinerator/glass melter is proposed as a means of eliminating the solid/hazardous waste disposal problems associated with the production of insulation products. The technology being proposed for solid waste incineration/melting is based on advanced in-flight suspension glass melting technology being developed by Vortec Corporation for the U.S. Department of Energy. Phase I of the development program will verify the technical and economic feasibility of incinerating waste insulation fiberglass materials in an advanced cyclone melting system via testing with a laboratory scale incinerator. The system will incinerate the waste materials in such a manner as to oxidize combustible hazardous waste materials and, at the same time, produce a glass product suitable for either direct recycling of the hot glass produced to the furnace/forehearth system or the production of a glass cullet which cna be recycled as a cold feed stock. 8. DEVELOPMENT OF IMPROVED COUPLED-TRANSPORT MEMBRANES FOR THE RECOVERY AND RECYCLE OF METAL IONS Bend Research, Inc. 64 550 Research Road Bend, OR 97701-8599 (503) 382-4100 Scott B. McCray, Principal Investigator EPA Region 10 Amount: $49,982 Vast quantities of industrial acids, bases, processing solutions, and sludges contain heavy metals. These are often hazardous, and if left unregulated, present a serious threat to groundwater and the surrounding environment. Technologies available for treating industrial wastes are typically inadequate and extremely expensive. New methods are clearly needed for removing toxic metals from process solutions and waste sludges—methods that are both effective and economical. A key aspect of waste treatment that renders it economic is the recovery of valuable components for reuse. Bend Research has developed a membrane-based process called coupled-transport that provides an effective means of separating and recovering valuable toxic metals from process solutions or dissolved waste sludges. However, the coupled-transport process is currently not practical because of short membrane lifetimes (ranging from a few weeks to a few months). The overall goal of this program is to produce coupled-transport membranes having lifetimes of at least 9 ------- one year. During the Phase I program, Bend Research will investigate the feasibility of a new technical approach to improving membrane life. The goal is to demonstrate greatly improved performance over previous membranes, using copper and chromium as the heavy metals. Successful feasibility studies would lead to a Phase II program focused on long-term testing to verify improved lifetimes and on the development of a prototype system. In addition, the new coupled-transport membranes for use would be tested on other toxic heavy metals. 9. SURFACTANT FLUSHING/WASHING—AN INNOVATIVE METHOD OF HAZARDOUS WASTE TREATMENT Eckenfelder, Inc. 277 French Landing Drive Nashville, TN 37228 (615) 255-2288 James H. Clarke, Principal Investigator EPA Region 4 Amount: $49,837 The technical objectives of this proposal are oriented toward the development of soil surfactant flushing and washing as a low-cost, low-impact, low-risk, effective technique for the removal and ultimate destruction of the organic contaminants in soil. These objectives are: • demonstration of the effectiveness of an ionic surfactant solution at concentrations above the critical micelle concentration to solubilize weathered-in, highly adsorbed contaminants in soils. further investigation of the effectiveness of modified solvent extraction as a mean of reclaiming contaminant-laden surfactant solution for recycle and/or concentration for disposal. investigation of thin film aeration as a technique for reclaiming surfactant solutions Investigation of a phase distribution approach to micellar solubilization. • development of a lumped parameter modification of an existing mathematical model for soil surfactant flushing which permits its application to fractured bedrock and to highly inhomogeneous soils. 10. DESTRUCTION OF ORGANIC HAZARDOUS WASTE BY THE HDI ELECTRIC ARC PROCESS Applied Research Associates, Inc. 4300 San Mateo Boulevard, NE, Suite A-220 10 ------- Albuquerque, NM 87110 (505) 883-3636 Edward M. Redding, Principal Investigator EPA Region 6 Amount: $49,967 The destruction of organic hazardous waste by electric arc pyrolysis has been demonstrated to be technically feasible by others. The principal problems lie in (1) the short life of the electrodes (and related structures) due to the high temperatures involved, and (2) the relatively high cost of the electric power needed. Applied Research Associates, Inc. propose to destroy organic hazardous waste by the improved patented HDI (hard discharge ignition) electric arc process which has a high energy efficiency and in which the electrodes are kept cool by electronic control of the arc timing and position. The electrical power cost is minimized through special heat exchange methods and use of exhaust heat for electric power generation. Phase I is the experimental verification of the approach. F. CONTROL OF ACID RAIN PRECURSORS 11. DEVELOPMENT OF AN NOx SENSOR FOR SMALL STATIONARY AND MOBILE SOURCES Catalytica, Inc. 430 Ferguson Drive, Building 3 Mountain View, CA 94043 (415) 960-3000 Daniel L. Reed, Principal Investigator EPA Region 9 Amount: $49,975 NOx emissions from combustion processes are a major contributor to environmental stresses such as acid rain, vegetation damage, smog and changes in the ozone layer. A number of strategies directed at reducing N0X emissions would benefit from real time NOx emissions measurement since this would allow feedback control of the process. Current instrumentation allows cost effective monitoring of very large combustion processes and new catalytic technology being developed by Catalytica should extend this capability to medium sized stationary combustion processes. However, no current technology allows the cost effective real time monitoring of small stationary and mobile combustion processes. This SBIR program proposes to extend catalytic sensor technology to this segment by reducing the size and cost of prototype N0X sensors. Silicon micromachining and new sensor design will be used to reduce sensor size, power requirements and cost. The Phase I program will be directed at the proof of principle of the basic sensor design and will 11 ------- demonstrate an experimental sensor. The program objective is a small durable sensor for NO and N02 with a range of 0-500 ppm and a life of one year in the harsh environmental of a combustion exhaust gas. 12. NEW METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE NOx FROM STATIONARY GAS ENGINES Energy and Environmental Research Corp. P. O. Box 189 Whitehouse, NJ 08888 (201) 534-5833 Richard K. Lyon, Principal Investigator EPA Region 2 Amount: $49,278 Stationary gas engines produce a disproportionately large share of the total N0X emissions in the U.S., but no available technology offers a satisfactory means of reducing their emissions. These engines are predominantly two cycle and produce an exhaust having a high ratio of oxygen (02) to nitric oxide (NO). Thus, a selective NO reduction technique is needed which converts the NO to nitrogen (N2) without affecting the much larger amount of 02 present. The only available reducing agent, however, is methane and there has been no known method by which methane could be made to reduce NO selectively. A newly discovered chemical reaction is described. In this reaction a proprietary solid undergoes a rapid reversible reaction with NO under oxidizing conditions. The position of this equilibrium is sensitive to the concentration of 02 and under oxidizing conditions essentially quantitative NO removal can be achieved by passing an exhaust gas containing NO through the proprietary solid at a high space velocity. Under reducing conditions, however, the equilibrium shifts. A solid which is saturated with NO may be rejuvenated, and the NO reduced to N2. Ordinarily reducing agents such as methane, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide are only capable of reducing NO in a nonselective manner. If one of them is used to reduce NO in a gas mixture, it is necessary to supply enough reagent to reduce all the oxidizing species. Thus by using the solid to transfer NO from the oxidizing exhaust gas into a reducing environment, the solid enables methane to selectively reduce NO. A research program is described for a laboratory scale demonstration of the feasibility of using this new reaction to control the N0X emissions of stationary gas engines. 12 ------- 13. FEASIBILITY STUDY OF A PULSE COMBUSTOR IN-FURNACE NOx REDUCTION CONTROL TECHNIQUE Altex Technologies Corp. 650 Nuttman Road, Suite 114 Santa Clara, CA 95054 (408) 980-8610 John T. Kelly, Principal Investigator EPA Region 9 Amount: $49,876 Effective, low-cost and retrofittable NOx emission controls are needed to allow the widespread use of coal while not adversely impacting the environment. Reburning, or In-Furnace N0X Reduction (IFNR) is a relatively economical and retrofittable NOx reduction technique. However, this technique is restricted in application by the limited time within the furnace for IFNR fuel dispersion, reaction with NOx and burnout. The novel Pulse Combustor In-Furnace N0X Reduction (PCIFNR) technique, to be evaluated during this program, overcomes these limitations by utilizing pulsating flow to flash volatilize the coal and develop a reactive char, rapidly disperse and mix reburning fuel with the furnace gases, enhance fuel burnout and prevent tube deposits. In addition, because the device is simple and converts combustion energy directly to flow momentum, system costs are low. The purpose of this Phase I program is to demonstrate, by experimental and analytical means, improved NOK reduction at lower costs using the novel PCIFNR technique. In the Phase I effort, an existing pulse combustor and coal combustion computer model will be used to assess the PCIFNR system N0X reduction and burnout performance. The NOx reduction results will be combined with preliminary economic analyses to show the feasibility of the concept. 14. MICROBIAL REMOVAL OF ORGANIC SULFUR FROM COAL J. K Research 210 S. Wallace Bozeman, MT 59715 (406) 586-8744 Kenneth Runnion, Principal Investigator EPA Region 8 Amount: $49,93 0 The U. S. possesses huge coal reserves, but sulfur dioxide (S02) released upon combustion is a major contributor to acid rain. Significant advances have been made in the development of microbial processes for precombustion removal of inorganic sulfur from coal. Thiobacillus and Sulfolobus sp. have been most frequently employed. They are optimally adapted to function at a 13 ------- pH below 3 and often at elevated temperatures. However, these conditions have been ineffective in removal of organic sulfur from coal. 14 ------- Under natural conditions, bacteria and fungi found in coal are largely neutrophilic. Only after exposure to air and water and activity of iron-metabolizing bacteria does the pH begin to fall and the acidophiles increase in number. Complex microbial communities occurring naturally in sulfurous waters include heterotrophic microorganisms able to transform organic sulfur into more readily removed forms. Groups of microbes inhabiting sulfurous, non-acidic water will be collected and screened for their ability to remove organic sulfur from coal. Emphasis will be placed on use of an entire microbial community, rather than isolating one or two organisms. G. PROCESS INSTRUMENTATION FOR IMPROVED POLLUTION CONTROL 15. CONTINUOUS MONITORING FOR N20 AND N02 PSI Technology Company Research Park P. 0. Box 3100 Andover, MA 01810 (508) 475-9030 David Ham, Principal Investigator EPA Region 1 Amount: $49,999 Nitrous oxide, N20, is a stable gas that contributes to both the greenhouse effect problem and ozone depletion in the stratosphere. Ambient N20 levels are increasing from unknown sources. No continuous, on-line instrument is commercially available to measure N20 from fossil fuel combustion sources to assess and control NzO emissions. PSI Technology Company proposes to develop a continuous, on-line N20 monitor based on the chemiluminescent reaction of N20 with barium vapor for both source and ambient applications. This instrument can provide a linear measure of N20 down to the 0.1 ppm level for a year of continuous operation on a small charge of barium. The same instrument has the potential to function also as a continuous nitrogen dioxide (N02) monitor. 16. A PROPOSED CONTINUOUS MONITOR FOR STACK EMISSION OR PROCESS EFFLUENTS WITH RECORDER/CONTROLLER FUNCTION Moduspec Company 534 Boston Post Road P. 0. Box 63 Wayland, MA 01778 (508) 358-5969 15 ------- Jack M. Goldstein, Principal Investigator EPA Region 1 Amount: $50,000 A Source Analyzer is described that can monitor stacks and process streams and exercise computer feedback control to optimize combustion or other processes to minimize pollution. The proposed monitor employs the optical technique of IR Gas Filter Correlation for all species, uses extractive sampling by means of a probe, is small in size, relatively inexpensive, and can be controlled by an internal or external computer. A stepper motor driven multigas filter correlation wheel under computer control would be used to analyze each of the gases to be detected, and these gases would be measured in a single multireflective measurement photometer. Gases that could be measured include: CO, C02, S02, NjO, NO, N02, HC's, NH3, CHj, HCL, etc. since these gases can be distinguished by spectral correlation techniques. The analyzer's photometer and associated hardware would be operated and controlled by a small resident microprocessor system. This in turn would communicate interface to either a self-contained or external computer of the IBM PC type employing Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS*-DOS). The latter, would perform all mathematical, data manipulation, and process feed-back functions. The advantage of using a personal computer for user interaction to the operational protocol of the analyzer, is that it permits the user to manipulate and modify the program aspects of the analyzer via keyboard entry of "BASIC" language statements. 17. OPTRODE DEVELOPMENT FOR REAL-TIME ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING Cape Cod Research P. O. Box 600 Buzzards Bay, MA 02532 (508) 759-5911 Brian G. Dixon, Principal Investigator EPA Region l Amount: $50,000 This research investigates the feasibility of developing an innovative optrode device for the detection, identification, and quantification of trace levels of chemical contaminants in water. This fiber optic based instrument will have a response detector and can measure concentrations of contaminants at parts per billion concentrations. It is also anticipated that this instrument will be able to identify specific components within mixtures of chemicals. 16 ------- 18. IMPROVED POLLUTION CONTROL USING RAMAN SCATTERING GAS ANALYSIS Albion Instruments 4745 Wiley Post Way 650 Plaza 6 Salt Lake City, UT 84116 (801) 364—2021 Shigemasa Osaki, Principal Investigator EPA Region 8 Amount: $50,000 Real time on-line analysis of stack gasses is necessary to monitor effluents and to permit feedback control of combustion process and down stream scrubber systems. Multimedia pollution analysis requires multiple sensor technology with present commercially available instrumentation. Currently, complex analytical systems must be assembled that are expensive, prone to drift, and difficult to operate and maintain. This project will develop a cost effective, accurate and stable sensor using single technology to measure multimedia pollutants of interest today and readily re-configurable for future emission monitoring requirements. The ability of Raman light scattering spectroscopy to analyze a wide spectrum of gas molecules affords a tremendous consolidation of instrumentation. The Raman spectra and normalized cross sections of gases of interest will be determined. A bench Raman prototype will be built to simultaneously monitor the gasses of interest with a cathode ray tube display, and digital and analog outputs to facilitate control and recording of emissions. This prototype will eventually pave the way for a centrally installed analyzer to monitor multiple stacks on a multiplexed basis. The focus of Phase II is developing an industrially hardened system, reduce costs and extend life of the laser. H. AIR POLLUTION CONTROL 19. FAST LIGHTOFF CATALYTIC CONVERTER Precision Combustion, Inc. 25 Science Park New Haven, CT 06511 (203) 786-5215 William Pfefferle, Principal Investigator EPA Region 1 Amount: $50,000 Much of the total operational cycle emission from automobiles occurs during the initial minutes of engine operation, before the catalytic converter has been sufficiently warmed by inlet air to reach full operating temperature. Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI) will 17 ------- develop its fast thermal response catalytic metal monolith technology to achieve rapid effective cold starting performance of automotive catalytic converters. Building upon a successful NASA SBIR Phase I project developing a low temperature catalytic glow plug and upon a successful Army SBIR Phase I project developing a diesel subzero starting system (now being completed) , PCI believes this electrically-heated metal monolith technology can be operational within seconds of engine start-up and will substantially improve hydrocarbon and CO emissions during the period prior to when the conventional catalytic converter reaches operating temperature. In addition, passive exhaust heat will enable this new catalytic converter to supplant the current converter for warm engine operation. In Phase I, PCI will do laboratory experimentation to demonstrate effectiveness, do preliminary durability and design work, and build a prototype for cold start testing by the New York State Division of Air Research. In Phase II, PCI will develop and field test advanced prototypes, optimizing performance, control, durability and costs. 20. TRACE METAL AEROSOL CONTROL IN INCINERATORS PSI Technology Company Research Park P. 0. Box 3100 Andover, MA 01810 (508) 475-9030 Srivats Srinivasachar, Principal Investigator EPA Region 1 Amount: $49,999 Incineration of most industrial wastes, including municipal solid waste, results in the emission of potentially toxic trace metal aerosols. Most of the trace metal species in the waste feed, such as lead, cromium, mercury and arsenic, completely volatilize in the combustion zone, and subsequently condense and concentrate in the submicron-sized ash particles (fume). This size fraction cannot be removed with high efficiency by existing particulate control devices, thus resulting in its preferential escape into the environment. Even the particles that are captured may leach soluble metals to the groundwater if improperly disposed in landfills. Further, these volatilized species, particularly when combined with chlorine, can lead to corrosion of incinerator surfaces. PSI has identified several specific additives that may react with the trace metal species and incorporate them into matrices that have both low volatility and low leachability. Therefore, not only is there a potential to mitigate the formation of trace metals and 18 ------- condensation aerosols, but the resulting flyash may be safely landfilled without leaching toxic metals to the environment. PSI1s Phase I program will focus on the treatment of lead (Pb) species, and will consist of idealized reactor experiments using several additives that have the potential of reducing lead vapor species by several orders of magnitude. Initial experiments will determine the partitioning of trace metal species between the vapor and solid for different temperatures and levels of HC1 in the gas. PSI will also characterize the ash products and their thermal and chemical stability upon disposal. Phase II will address process development and demonstration for the specific approach selected in Phase I. 21. CONTROL OF VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUND (VOC) EMISSIONS FROM INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES Catalytica, Inc. 430 Ferguson Drive, Building 3 Mountain View, CA 94043 (415) 960-3000 James C. Schlatter, Principal Investigator EPA Region 9 Amount: $49,986 A new adsorption—catalytic combustion system with application to removal of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from industrial processes and commercial operations especially where low concentrations of VOC are present in high flows of off-gas will be investigated in this demonstration program. This system will have the benefits of low equipment costs, simple operation, low energy utilization, and will be applicable to both small and large industrial gaseous streams. For Phase I, the focus of the research and development will be to simulate the VOC emissions for a paint spraying facility. Such waste emissions are typically a combination of solvents, like methyl isobutyl ketone (MEK), esters, glycols, and other various non- descriptive organic compounds. Catalytica's objective will be to convert these VOC emissions to harmless gases. Although the focus of Phase I is on the removal of a selected odorous ketone compound from a gaseous stream, they believe that their technique to eliminate VOC emissions will be directly applicable to the removal of toxic air emissions, such as nitroaromatics from industrial gaseous streams, and to the removal of odorous compounds from commercial operations such as meat rendering plants, restaurants, etc. 19 ------- The key development of this technology is a new approach to capture the VOC on an adsorbent and subsequently catalytically burning (i.e., oxidizing) the VOC. The goal of Phase I is to gain better understanding of the catalyst behavior. In particular, it is desirable to know how changes in regeneration variables, such as temperature and environment, affect the catalyst, the composition of the exiting gas, and adsorbent efficiencies, and how multiple regeneration affect an adsorbent's structure and its ability to capture the hydrocarbon emission. 22. DIESEL EMISSION OXIDIZER SYSTEM (DEO) FOR THE CONTROL OF PARTICULATE EMISSIONS FROM DIESEL ENGINES Converter Technology, Inc. 414 N. Jackson Street Jackson, MI 49201 (517) 784-3388 Rafaat A. Kammel, Principal Investigator EPA Region 5 Amount: $49,916 Due to the adverse effects on air quality, the Environmental Protection Agency is very concerned about controlling particulate emissions from diesel trucks and buses. In 1991 and 1994 new, and very stringent. Federal emissions standards are scheduled to take effect. Among the alternatives available to permit compliance with these standards is the Diesel Emission Oxidizer (DEO) approach. The DEO is a comprehensive trap system using wire mesh technology augmented with an electrostatic precipitator. The DEO is composed of a catalytic preconverter and a main converter (without catalyst) The main converter houses the wire mesh beds and the electrostatic precipitator. This design features many innovative ideas to enhance trap filtration efficiency, improve reliability, increase soot retention capacity, and provide sound attenuation, in addition to other features. The major innovation in the system design is the regeneration scheme. Phase I work is intended to provide the research and development to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed regeneration scheme as a reliable means for particulate traps suitable for light and heavy-duty diesel truck applications. Phase I encompasses analytical work and construction of two prototypes for the demonstration of regeneration. Phase II is intended for performance-related concerns. 20 ------- I. WASTE REDUCTION AND POLLUTION PREVENTION 23. HYDROCARBON RECOVERY FROM PETROLEUM TRANSFER OPERATIONS Membrane Technology and Research, Inc. 1360 Willow Road, Suite 103 Menlo Park, CA 94025 (415) 328-2228 J. G. Wijmans, Principal Investigator EPA Region 9 Amount: $50,000 Approximately 1.3 million tons of hydrocarbon vapors are released annually in petroleum storage and transfer operations. This proposal describes the design and laboratory demonstration of a pilot membrane system able to concentrate and recover these vapors from storage tank off gases. In the Phase I program, existing membranes will be evaluated with model gas mixtures in the laboratory. These data will be used to determine the technical and economic feasibility of the process and the optimum system design. Some modifications to Membrane Technology and Research's existing membrane systems designs will also be performed to make these systems safe to use with explosive mixtures. In the Phase II program, a pilot system would be constructed and evaluated in the laboratory. 24. MOBILE ZONE PAINT SPRAY BOOTH FOR REDUCTION OF VOC CONTAMINATED AIR Clyde Smith, Engineer P. O. Box 150222 Nashville, TN 37215 (615) 292-7511 Clyde Smith, Principal Investigator EPA Region 4 Amount: $50,000 The Mobile Zone device represents advanced waste reduction technology rather than a pollution management technology. The innovative concept is applicable to ventilated work chambers where the ventilation is provided from the removal of noxious fumes and/or particles and the work chamber is provided for the benefit of worker and product. The most common ventilated work chambers in use are spray booths for painting. The next most common ventilated work chambers are booths for the lay up and spraying of fiberglass or composite products. The ventilated work chamber is improved by confining a zone (or path) of fresh ventilating air to just a portion of the cross section of the chamber, and providing means for shifting the location of the ventilating air zone from one place to another in the chamber, to serve the worker as he changes 21 ------- his location. This greatly reduces the quantity of VOC contaminated air generated by the spray booth. 25. HIGH-SPEED RECYCLING PROCESS FOR PHOSPHATE INDUSTRY WASTE Science Ventures, Inc. 8909 Complex Drive, Suite E San Diego, CA 92123 (619) 292-7354 Douglas Howard Laird, Principal Investigator EPA Region 9 Amount: $50,000 As a by-product of U.S. phosphate fertilizer production, 43 million tons/year of waste phosphogypsum are produced. Sulfur, costing phosphate producers $880 million/year, is locked in this phosphogypsum waste, which is dumped in landfill. Science Ventures has been experimenting with a new high-speed chemical process to solve this major economic and environmental problem. The FLASC process would recycle the sulfur as concentrated SO^ and reduce the solid residue to environmentally benign glassy slag, suitable as a substitute for rock in concrete. The FLASC process sprays phosphogypsum together with smaller amounts of other solids into a high-temperature flame. Sulfur dioxide is released and the condensed residue melts to form a slag which drains from the reactor. Conversion is complete in seconds, compared to an hour or so with older recycling attempts, giving this concept economic advantages. Previous lab testing has shown promise, and Science Ventures has been funded by a Florida state agency to build bench scale test equipment, but funds are not available to operate it. Phase I work will conduct a preliminary series of bench-scale tests. If Phase II is funded, it will complete the test series, do computer modeling, and make economic projections. 26. DOUBLE HEAT EXCHANGES SYSTEM FOR MINIMIZING ENERGY AND POLLUTION CONTROL COSTS IN INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES Energy Innovations, Inc. 8709 Knight Road Houston, TX 77054 (713) 790-9892 Meredith C. Gourdine, Principal Investigator EPA Region 6 Amount: $37,666 There are numerous industrial processes requiring that material be heated and then subsequently cooled. 22 ------- If most of this heat is recovered and recycled to the oven, the net power input to the oven could be substantially reduced. The key to accomplishing this is an increase of the heat transfer coefficient between gas and material so that the heat exchangers are reasonably compact. Simple experiments will be performed to investigate this possibility. Mathematical models for the processes will be derived where possible, or empirical relationships will be developed. It is anticipated that a compact heat exchanger with a loss factor of less than five percent will result from the research. It is anticipated that these compact, efficient heat exchangers will find use in numerous industrial processes; e.g., paint curing ovens, printing press dryers, chemical and food processing operations, etc. With net power being decreased by a factor of ten or more over conventional ovens, and hot, dirty exhaust gases being reduced by a similar factor, these systems will be more cost effective than conventional systems not only because of their compactness and energy savings, but because they have a much lower environmental impact. 27. FREEZE CONCENTRATION AND RECYCLE OF PLATING WASTES Exstar International Corporation 236 South Fraey Road Dumfriese, VA 22026 (703) 221-1390 Wilfred J. Hahn, Principal Investigator EPA Region 3 Amount: $39,596 Rinse water and other aqueous wastes from metal finishing operations present a disposal problem because of their heavy metal and aggressive chemical content. Generally, these wastes are treated chemically to precipitate the metal ions as oxides or hydroxides. This treatment is costly because it involves the addition of chemicals, disposal of sludge with loss of valuable metals, and loss of the high purity water required for rinsing operations. Freeze concentration processes have demonstrated potential for recovering pure water for recycle to the rinsing operation while producing a concentrated stream suitable for reuse in plating baths. Concentration by evaporation is costly due to the corrosivity of the solutions at high temperature. Membrane processes may not be applicable when oxidizing chemicals are present. There is significant data available for the design of freezing processes for the production of pure water from sea and brackish waters. The object of this 23 ------- investigation is to obtain the design data necessary to optimize freeze concentration of waste streams from metal finishing operations. A bench scale plant will be assembled to process simulated rinse water from chrome, nickel, copper, and cadmium plating operations. Operating data will be obtained as a function of solution concentration. The bench scale plant will be operated at freezing temperatures down to 22 °F. Based on seawater data, this will occur at a concentration of 10% TDS, representing about 98% recovery of pure water and reduction of the waste volume to 2% of the original waste stream. The data is expected to verify Exstar's design concept for a line of economical packaged waste concentration plants ranging in size from 1,000 to 20,000 gallons per day (GPD. In Phase II, a transportable 5,000 GPD plant is planned for demonstration on actual waste streams. Exstar has the facilities and business organization necessary to commercialize the process in Phase III. 24 ------- ABSTRACT OF PHASE II AWARDS SBIR 1989 25 ------- A. DRINKING WATER TREATMENT 1. MEMBRANE PERVAPORATION FOR REMOVAL OF ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS FROM DRINKING-WATER SUPPLIES—PHASE II Bend Research, Inc. 64550 Research Road Bend, OR 97701 (503) 382-4100 John M. Radovich, Principal Investigator EPA Region 10 Amount: $149,932.00 Contamination of the nation's drinking-water supplies by volatile organic contaminants (VOCs) is becoming a widespread problem. The presence of those hazardous synthetic compounds in the nation's groundwater is of great concern, because groundwater is the source of drinking water for about half the nation. Thus, effective and economical methods for removing VOCs from groundwater must be developed. In the Phase I program, Bend Research, Inc. demonstrated the technical feasibility of using a membrane-based technique called pervaporation to remove VOCs from drinking water. A tube-side-feed hollow-fiber module was constructed and tested over a wide range of operating conditions. These tests showed that pervaporation-membrane modules can efficiently remove VOCs from water, and concentrate them into low-volume high-purity (>99%) reject streams. An economic assessment of this technology conducted during Phase I indicated that the cost of the pervaporation process designed in Phase I would be somewhat higher than the costs of one of the conventional processes. However, Bend Research believes the pervaporation system offers sufficient technical advantages from an environmental standpoint that it ought to be pursued in spite of its higher costs. Moreover, if the pervaporation costs can be lowered via Phase II optimization, industry and the environment will both benefit substantially. Thus, since feasibility has already been shown, the goal of the proposed Phase II program is to concentrate on improving the cost-effectiveness of the pervaporation process. Specifically, Bend Research will (l) determine the factors that limit the flux of VOC through the pervaporation membrane and then design, construct, and test a pervaporation module that maximizes flux; and (2) design and test a system that minimizes the cost of the process. Bend Research believes that a successful Phase II effort will allow them to raise the capital necessary to commercialize the technology. 26 ------- The pervaporation module developed here will be a cost-effective method for efficient removal of VOCs from water. This technology produces a high-volume clean- water stream and a low-volume stream concentrated in the VOCs. This concentrated stream could be disposed of in an economical environmentally safe manner. Furthermore, once this process is commercialized, it could be adapted to a broad range of uses, such as removal of VOCs from aquifers, industrial waste streams, reclaimed water, or hazardous-chemical spills. 2. HEAVY METAL REMOVAL AT THE ppb LEVEL FROM CULINARY WATER OR ACID MATRICES USING NOVEL SILICA GEL BONDING MACROCYCLES AND OTHER LIGANDS IBC Advanced Technologies 1165 N. Industrial Park Drive Orem, UT 84057 (801) 224-8264 Ronald L. Bruening, Principal Investigator EPA Region 8 Amount: $150,000.00 It is desirable to have a method for efficient, cost effective, and simultaneous removal of Pb(II), AG(I), Cd(II), and Hg(II) from potable water and acid matrices to levels well below their EPA limits. Such a method could be used by both municipal water and waste treatment plants. The interactions of the macrocycles hexaaza-18- crown-6 and tetraaza-18-crown-6 as well as similar nonmacrocyclic ligands with the metals of interest are of sufficient strength and selectivity to remove the metals from a potable water matrix. The pH chemistry of these ligands allows for acid regeneration to be used. Crown ether and sulfur-containing macrocycles also have relatively strong interactions with Ag(I), Pb(II), and HG(II) , but are pH insensitive. This allows use of these materials with acidic matrices and requires use of strong chelating agents in the regeneration process. The innovation of the proposed research lies in the ability to attach these ligands in a permanent bond to silica gel while maintaining their complexing abilities. Such materials can then be incorporated in a columnar system to accomplish the desired removal. The feasibility of the bound ligand synthesis and their use in small scale removal procedures have been shown in Phase I and other research. In Phase II, the removal systems will be automated, tested and compared on a pilot plant scale allowing for actual use in the reduction of Ag(I), Cd(II), Hg(II), and Pb(II) in potable water and acidic waste streams to at least ppt levels. The cation interaction constants of both the bonded nonmacrocyclic ligand analogous to hexaaza-18-crown-6 and bonded dithia- 27 ------- 18-crown-6 will also be completed. Furthermore, larger scale material synthesis will be optimized. This will include optimizing synthetic costs, silica gel particle size, and bonded ligand loading capacity. Phase II should produce: Systems capable of efficient and cost effective removal of ppb levels of Pb, Hg, Cd, and Ag from potable water and acidic waste streams to levels well below EPA limits. Predictive methodology for deciding when these and other ligand bonded silica gel systems can be used for particular toxic waste removal needs. B. MUNICIPAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND POLLUTION CONTROL 3. PROCESS MODIFICATION TO MINIMIZE TOXIC CHEMICAL GENERATION IN VERMICULITE PROCESSING Enoree Minerals Corporation P.O. Box 289 Laurens, SC 29360 (803) 969-9555 Walter D. Vess, Jr., Principal Investigator EPA Region 4 Amount: $150,000.00 In 1985, 947 billion gallons of water were contaminated with 1.4 billion pounds of chemical reagents in froth flotation separation of industrial minerals in the United States. It is estimated that these approximate quantities were also used in 1986 and 1987. Of this total, approximately 42.2 million gallons of water were contaminated with 8.6 million pounds of chemical reagents in vermiculite froth flotation separation. In the Phase I study, the technical feasibility of replacing froth flotation with magnetic separation was successfully demonstrated for vermiculite processing. The Phase II work proposes to continue the investigation in an effort to develop a processing circuit that minimizes and/or eliminates the chemical reagents now used in froth floatation. This work could have a significant impact on reducing environmental problems. It could also have a significant impact on the future of vermiculite processing by creating a more cost effective position for the United States in the world vermiculite market. The 28 ------- technology developed in this work can serve as a new technology in other mineral industries. Commercialization is projected in terms of the development of a cost effective separation technology for vermiculite and the reduction of toxic wastes. Success would mean major advances in reducing environmental problems, and the development of a new separation technology that could have application in other mineral industries. D. SOLID AMD HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL AMD POLLUTION CONTROL 4 . CHLORINATED PLASTICS SEPARATION FROM MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE National Recovery Technologies, Inc. 105 28th Avenue, South Nashville, TN 37214 (615) 329-9088 Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Principal Investigator EPA Region 4 Amount: $149,998.00 Incineration of municipal solid waste (MSW) is being increasingly used in municipal waste disposal programs. Chlorine in the waste stream results in undesirable emissions from incinerators in the form of dioxins, furans, and hydrochloric acid. Polyvinylchloride plastics (PVC) contain up to one half the chlorine in MSW while contributing less than 1% the recoverable energy during incineration. Removal of PVC before combustion can reduce incinerator emissions and improve operational performance. Electrical storage batteries in MSW are a major contributor to heavy metals in emissions and ash residue from MSW incinerators. Removal of these batteries before combustion will improve the environmental impact of MSW incineration. Phase I research showed feasibility for development of an automated separator for removal of PVC plastics, electrical storage batteries, and other dense items (such as ferrous and glass objects) from MSW. The proposed Phase II program provides for construction of a prototype separator and testing of this separator at an operating MSW materials recovery processing facility. The Phase II program will provide evaluation of technical and commercial feasibility of the separation process. 29 ------- It is anticipated that the Phase II research will establish technical and commercial feasibility for an automated process for separation of PVC plastics and electrical storage batteries from MSW and other industrial waste streams. The U.S. provides a potential market for over 1000 municipal waste-to-energy facilities which could apply this technology. The process could also have application in municipal curbside recycling programs and in the plastics recycling industry. G. PROCESS INSTRUMENTATION FOR IMPROVED POLLUTION CONTROL 5. NOVEL SENSORS FOR METAL-ION DETECTION AND QUANTIFICATION Bend Research, Inc. 64550 Research Road Bend, OR 97701-8599 (503) 382-4100 David J. Edlund, Principal Investigator EPA Region 10 Amount: $149,605.00 Metals and metal complexes play an important role in many industrial processes. Due to the widespread and large-scale use of metals, monitoring their presence in waste streams and controlling their levels of discharge into the environment are difficult and costly tasks— tasks that are all the more important given the toxicity of many of the commonly used metals. Currently available sensor technology for on-site metal-ion detection is limited to ion-selective electrodes (ISEs)—fragile, slow, high-maintenance devices that are susceptible to interference and fouling. The alternative is expensive and time-consuming off-site laboratory analysis. Current technology clearly is not adequate for addressing the problem. To meet this challenge, thin-film sensors were developed in Phase I that showed part-per-billion sensitivity to Ba(II), Cd(II), and Cr(III) , and part-per- million sensitivity to Cr(VI). The response time for these sensors was fast (< 2 min.), and they exhibited long lifetimes (350 hours of continuous operation without any decrease in performance). In the proposed Phase II program, Bend Research will improve sensor fabrication techniques to yield a more sensitive sensor, and they will examine the sensitivity and selectivity of chemically modified sensing elements. Prototype sensors and sensor arrays will be made and 30 ------- tested under conditions designed to simulate real applications. Preliminary indications are that analyte-sensitive thin-film sensors can be made to be very sensitive and selective for Cr(III), Cr(VI), Cd(II), and Ba(II). These sensors, will find application in feedback-control loops for the prevention of excessive discharge of toxic metal ions into the environment and in monitoring the metal-ion concentration in industrial processes to aid in recycling and resource-recovery efforts. These sensors can also provide early warning of groundwater contamination. Sensor development will continue in Phase II with the goal of preparing and testing prototype sensors and sensor arrays. A Phase III partner will be identified, and Bend Research will work with the Phase III partner toward producing early-entry products for the most promising applications. 6. RAPID ENZYME IMMUNOASSAY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL HAZARDS Bio-Metric Systems, Inc. 9924 West 74th Street Eden Prairie, MN 55344 (612) 829-2714 Peter H. Duquette, Principal Investigator EPA Region 5 Amount: $149,703.00 Monitoring environmental samples for various pesticides and other hazardous chemicals has become necessary in order to protect the populace from the carcinogenic and toxic effects of these materials. Since the contamination of water supplies and soil by polychlorinated toxins may have already occurred or may be difficult to avoid, measures for their control depend upon rigorous programs to monitor for their presence. Because the costs of doing environmental analyses are very high, and a considerable number of contaminated sites exist, it becomes imperative to develop new technology for this need. A variety of methods are available for determining possible toxic chemical contamination in food, water, and biological fluids. However, most of the assays (e.g., GC, HPLC) require trained personnel, expensive equipment, a laboratory setting, and are quite slow in determining if contamination is present. Bio-Metric proposes to develop an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) which will be useful as a screen for the detection of low concentrations of environmental contaminants in 31 ------- soil and water supplies. The assay is easily adaptable to measure different contaminants from the same sample simultaneously. The proposed enzyme immunoassay should have a performance comparable to other assay methods (e.g., GC, HPLC) for environmental contaminants, but be fast, portable, and simple to use. The assay format is adaptable for the ultrasensitive detection of biological agent materials, toxins, drugs, and other biological active materials in the environment or physiological fluids. 7. FEASIBILITY OF AN INTEGRATED, CONTINUOUS PROCESS USING AUTOMATIC INSTRUMENTATION AND STATISTICAL ANALYSES TO REDUCE COSTS AND TO INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF LEAK DETECTION AND POLLUTION CONTROL IN UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS Production Monitoring and Control Co. 8620 N. New Braufels, Suite 308 San Antonio, TX 78217 (512) 821-3794 William W. Dunn, Principal Investigator EPA Region 6 Amount: $149,877.00 The Phase I research program evaluated and documented the technical (and operational) feasibility of the Production Monitoring and Control Co. (PMC) concept for a permanently installed leak detection system that meets all three requirements of the automatic tank gauging system (ATGS), the tank tightness test and the line tightness test (in terms of leak detection rates and Probability Detection/Probability of False Alarm) on a continuous basis with a cost target that is of the order of, or less than existing ATGS systems. A further objective was to provide the system with in-tank sensor configurations which could be installed in the existing riser pipes with drop tubes to significantly reduce installation costs in currently installed tanks. The PMC concept involves the application of a microprocessor based advanced statistical model combined with very accurate, proprietary level sensors, with full temperature compensation, to provide automatic tank gauging and continuous leak detection. Complete prototype systems will be built and fully evaluated in southern and northern U.S. operating service stations. The concept will provide service station operators with a cost effective ATGS that also meets both the stringent Tank and Line Leak detection requirements—on 32 ------- a continuous basis. The system will meet EPA requirements (in all three applications listed) and provide operators with the improved operating capabilities of an automatic system to provide "third party" reconciliations of deliveries, daily sales and tank gauging. It will reduce operator requirements to resolve false alarm discrepancies of manual gauging systems and, as a corollary, will reduce the number of false alarms which must be evaluated by regulatory agencies. 8. LOW COST OPTICAL PROBE FOR ON-LINE EMISSIONS Insitec 2110 Omega Road, Suite D San Ramon, CA 94583 (415) 837-1330 Donald J. Holve, Principal Investigator EPA Region 9 Amount: $142,486.00 Low-cost, remote sensing of particle-laden process streams requires continuing instrumentation development to meet the needs of fossil energy and other industrial applications. Particulate emissions control which is consistent with the process optimization is highly dependent on the entering particle size distribution and concentration. On-line analysis and feedback control development will permit integrated automatic control of these industrial processes. The specific motivation for this work is based on the need for simple, low cost instruments for "set-point" control of industrial processes. Such instruments would provide an integrated type of measurement that represents an overall process and emissions summary. A large number of these low-cost, optical based probes can be multiplexed into a single signal processor and computer systems which periodically interrogates all probes. The integrated measurement can then be used in a feedback control system to (1) maintain steady process conditions around an empirically determined optimum condition or (2) to detect undesirable process and emission conditions. To accommodate variable concentration flows, the instrument pathlength should be adjustable for optimum instrument performance. Ensemble (many scatterers) techniques have the advantage of fast time response and can be used in steady state or transient processes. The end result of Phase I and II is the development of a commercial instrument for low cost, remote sensing of particle-laden streams. An on-line, in situ particle measurement device will have applications in the analysis 33 ------- of a wide range of gas and liquid streams: monitoring absolute level of solids transport in process and cleanup systems, and monitoring high temperature and pressure combustion systems. Studies of particulate erosion in gas turbines also require a fast, in situ measurement technique, other areas of potential application include remote sensing of particulates in radioactive environments and on-line monitoring and control of particle size distributions for powder metallurgy. H. AIR POLLUTION CONTROL 9. MATERIALS FOR THE SELECTIVE ADSORPTION OF CARBON MONOXIDE TDA Research, Inc. 12321 West 49th Avenue Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 (303) 422-7918 John D. Wright, Principal Investigator EPA Region 8 Amount: $150,000.00 Carbon monoxide (CO) is a problem in both ambient and indoor air. More than 40 million people live in areas which do not meet EPA standards. Automobiles are by far the largest source of CO. A large fraction of the CO emissions come during the first few minutes when combustion is rich and the catalyst is not up to operating temperature. Selective CO adsorbents are one means of reducing this initial CO burst. A CO adsorbent placed between the engine and catalyst would trap the CO emitted at low temperatures. When the exhaust heats the adsorbent and catalyst, the CO would be driven off and oxidized by the catalyst. A similar system would be useful in reducing indoor air pollution. An adsorbent would collect and concentrate CO from the air. The adsorbent would later be regenerated and the CO catalytically oxidized. The requirements for a CO adsorbent are: ability to adsorb CO, chemical and thermal stability, selectivity for CO in the presence of 02, N2, H20, NOx, C02, and unbumed hydrocarbons, ability to be regenerated,and for indoor applications, ability to strip CO from air at ppm levels. All previously identified adsorbents used copper(I), which is not stable in oxygen. In Phase I, TDA Research identified a copper(II) compound which is stable and adsorbs CO. In order to develop a commercially viable adsorbent, it is necessary to combine the stability of this newly identified material with the selectivity of similar materials identified by earlier investigators. In Phase II, a material will be developed 34 ------- which is both stable and selective. This material will then be demonstrated in both the automotive and indoor air purification applications. Selective carbon monoxide adsorbents could be used to adsorb the initial burst of CO produced when combustion is rich and the catalyst is not yet effective. Also the material could be used to adsorb low concentrations of CO from ambient air, concentrate the CO, and release it later for efficient catalytic oxidation. 10. Pt/Rh/Y-STABILIZED-ZIRCONIA CATALYST FOR THE TREATMENT OF AUTOMOTIVE EXHAUST GAS PCP Consulting and Research, Inc. P.O. BOX 5943 Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 (609) 882—0869 Partha Sarathi Ganguli, Principal Investigator EPA Region 2 Amount: $150,000.00 The three-way catalysts that are currently used for automobile exhaust-gas after treatment typically consist of platinum, rhodium and sometimes palladium dispersed on a Y-alumina support. It was claimed in PCP Consulting and Research's (PCP) Phase I proposal that the activities of platinum and rhodium in -these catalysts can be enhanced appreciably by using an oxygen-ion conducting material such as yttria-stabilized-zirconia as the support material instead of Y-alumina. This claim has been successfully and amply demonstrated in PCP's Phase I research. The task that is ahead of them in Phase II is to develop and optimize this novel catalyst to a level where it is ready for commercialization. A set of experiments designed to evaluate the thermal aging and poison-resistance characteristics of this novel catalyst, to optimize the composition of this catalyst and to establish the methodology for preparing it in a commercially usable form are components of PCP's Phase II research. It is anticipated that the R&D work will lead to the development of an improved three-way catalyst for the treatment of automotive exhaust. The new catalyst will achieve a substantially higher level of pollution removal without requiring an increase in the loading of the noble metals. Furthermore, the oxygen-ion conducting support, which is responsible for the enhanced performance of the new catalyst, will be used only sparingly. Consequently, the new catalyst will cost essentially the same as the currently-used three-way catalysts. Hence, PCP expects the new catalyst to be quite readily marketable. 35 ------- 11. ADDITIVES FOR NOx EMISSIONS CONTROL FROM FIXED SOURCES (PE-168) PSI Technology Company Research Park P.O. Box 3100 Andover, MA 01810 (508) 475-9030 David O. Ham, Principal Investigator EPA Region 1 Amount: $149,920 PSI Technology Company's (PSI) Phase I results showed new ways to initiate NOx removal chemistry that can be developed into improved processes for post combustion NOx abatement. This new chemistry involves a combination of gas phase and catalytic chemistry. In the proposed Phase II project, PSI will address technical issues that may limit the potential of these new processes and develop a data base required to decide on directions for development and design a process for specific applications. PSI will make lab scale measurements for possible process configurations over relevant flue gas parameter ranges. PSI will specifically analyze for carry-over of pollution products, test low cost catalysts, and model the gas phase chemistry. Success of this proposed research program may lead to development of a more economical, more compact N0X emissions control process for application to post combustion, exhaust gas streams. The proposed project will emphasize development of such a process for application to stationary N0X sources such as incinerator exhaust gases. 12. RECOVERY OF HALO CARBON VAPORS BY MEMBRANES Membrane Technology and Research, Inc. 1360 Willow Road, Suite 103 Menlo Park, CA 94025 (415) 328-2228 J. G. Wijams, Principal Investigator EPA Region 9 Amount: $149,922.00 Halocarbon-containing waste airstreams represent a serious, environmentally threatening air pollution problem. Removal and recovery of halocarbons also makes sound economic sense. Membrane-based separation systems, which can remove and recover 80-90% of the halocarbon vapor content of an airstream, are particularly well suited to solve this pollution problem. In the concentration range of 0.5% up to 50% solvent or above, they fill a void where conventional technologies are either inapplicable or very costly. 36 ------- In a Phase I feasibility study, laboratory-scale composite membrane modules were evaluated with a number of commonly used halocarbons, CFC-11 (CCLjF) , CFC-113 (CjCLjF-j) , CFC—114 (CjCLjFJ , HCFC-123 (C?HC12F3), HCFC-142b (C?H3CLF2) , Halon-1301 (CFjBr) , methylene chloride, trichloroethylene, and 1,l,2-trichloroethane. The modules exhibited an organic/nitrogen selectivity in the range 20-60 for most compounds tested. The organic vapor fluxes were also high. Based on these results, it appears that many halocarbons, particularly CFCs and HCFCs, can be efficiently separated from air by a membrane process. In the Phase II program, a multi- module, two-stage pilot-scale unit will be built. The unit will then be tested extensively with two representative compounds, CFC-11 and CFC-113. The ultimate goal of these studies will be to provide data that will convince industrial air polluters of the efficiency, reliability, and economic attraction of membrane-based halocarbon vapor separation systems. The pilot unit constructed during the program will be available for field tests in an eventual Phase II follow- on program. Industrial effluent airstreams contaminated with halocarbon vapors are a serious pollution problem. Membrane separation is an innovative method of treating such streams. The membrane process is specifically suited for treating contaminated airstreams directly at the emission source where dilution is at a minimum. The membrane process would find widespread application in U.S. industry and would be applicable as well at streams containing organic vapors other than halocarbons. Membrane-based vapor separation systems would enable many environmentally damaging halocarbon emissions, particularly CFCs, to be substantially reduced or eliminated. 37 ------- Alphabetical List of Awardees Page Number/s Albion Instruments 4745 Wiley Post Way 650 Plaza 6 Salt Lake City, UT 84116 (801) 364-2021 16 Altex Technologies Corp. 650 Nuttman Road, Suite 114 Santa Clara, CA 95054 (408) 980-8610 12 Applied Research Associates, Inc. 4300 San Mateo Boulevard, NE, Suite A-220 Albuquerque, NM 87110 (505) 883-3636 10 Bend Research, Inc. 64550 Research Road Bend, OR 97701-8599 (503) 382-4100 9, 25, 29 Bio-Metric Systems, Inc. 9924 West 74th Street Eden Prairie, MN 55344 (612) 829-2714 30 Cape Cod Research P. O. Box 600 Buzzards Bay, MA 02532 (508) 759-5911 15 Catalytica, Inc. 430 Ferguson Drive, Building 3 Mountain View, CA 94043 (415) 960-3000 11, 18 Clyde Smith, Engineer P. 0. Box 150222 Nashville, TN 37215 (615) 292-7511 20 Coal Tech Corp. P. O. Box 154 Merion, PA 19066 (215) 667-0442 7 38 ------- Alphabetical List of Awardees Page Number/s Converter Technology, Inc. 414 N. Jackson Street Jackson, MI 49201 (517) 784-3388 19 Eckenfelder, Inc. 277 French Landing Drive Nashville, TN 37228 (615) 255-2288 10 Eltech Research Corporation 625 East Street Fairport Harbor, OH 44 077 (216) 357-4066 or 357-4045 5 Energy and Environmental Research Corp. P. O. Box 189 Whitehouse, NJ 08888 (201) 534-5833 12 Energy Innovations, Inc. 8709 Knight Road Houston, TX 77054 (713) 790-9892 21 Enoree Minerals Corporation P.O. Box 289 Laurens, SC 29360 (803) 969-9555 27 Exstar International Corporation 236 South Fraey Road Dumfriese, VA 22026 (703) 221-1390 22 Hi Lo Tech, Ltd. 1750 30th Street, #605 Boulder, CO 80301 (303) 449-6826 4 IBC Advanced Technologies 1165 N. Industrial Park Drive Orem, UT 84057 (801) 224-8264 Insitec 2110 Omega Road, Suite D San Ramon, CA 94583 (415) 83 7-1330 32 39 ------- Alphabetical List of Awardees Page Number/s J. K Research 210 S. Wallace Bozeman, MT 59715 (406) 586-8744 13 M. L. Energia, Inc. P. 0. Box 1468 Princeton, New Jersey 08542 (609) 799-7970 6 Membrane Technology and Research, Inc. 1360 Willow Road, Suite 103 Menlo Park, CA 94025 (415) 328-2228 20, 35 Moduspec Company 534 Boston Post Road P. O. Box 63 Wayland, MA 01778 (508) 358-5969 14 National Recovery Technologies, Inc. 105 28th Avenue, South Nashville, TN 37214 (615) 329-9088 28 PCP Consulting and Research, Inc. P.O. Box 5943 Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 (609) 882-0869 34 PSI Technology Company Research Park P. O. Box 3100 Andover, MA 01810 (508) 475-9030 14, 17, 35 Precision Combustion, Inc. 25 Science Park New Haven, CT 06511 (203) 786-5215 16 Production Monitoring and Control Co. 8620 N. New Braufels, Suite 308 San Antonio, TX 78217 (512) 821-3794 31 40 ------- Alphabetical List of Awardees Page Number/s Science Ventures, Inc. 8909 Complex Drive, Suite E San Diego, CA 92123 (619) 292-7354 21 Southeastern Reduction Co. P. O. BOX 5366 Valdosta, GA 31603 (912) 244-1321 or 244-1324 8 TDA Research, Inc. 12321 West 49th Avenue Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 (303) 422-7918 33 Teague Mineral Products and Hydrokinetic Systems, Inc. 1340 20th S.E. (Hydrokinetics) Salem, OR 973 02 (503) 339-4385 or 585-5144 5 Vortec Corporation 3770 Ridge Pike Collegeville, PA 19426 (215) 489-2255 8 41 ------- |