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From Bench to Backyard
EPA Patents at Work Protecting
Human Health and the Environment
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From Bench
to Backyard
Protecting Human
Health and the
Environment
Welcome to a sampling of environmental
technologies in action! The U.S. EPA Federal ,
Technology Transfer Act (FTTA) Program
facilitates the transfer of environmental research
and technologies into the marketplace. This
catalog shares with you some of the innovative
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and contribute to a healthy environment.
The Federal FTTA Program was established
to promote collaboration between private and
federal research. EPA offers exceptional oppor-
tunities to develop and commercialize new tech-
nologies and move technologies newly devel-
oped in federal laboratories into our economy.
Through Cooperative Research and
Development Agreements, or CRADAs,
collaborative relationships are established and
all parties' intellectual property is protected.
Licensing Agreements allow outside entities to
license EPA-patented products and methods and
quickly introduce them to the marketplace.
efit of collaborating with world class EPA scien-
tists involved in leading-edge research. Through
FTTA partnerships, our collaborators will have
access to EPA's scientific knowledge base and the
opportunity to work through our laboratories to
develop and commercialize shared innovations.
For further information on the broad spectrum
of technologies available for licensing and fur-
ther development, please visit http://www.epa.
go v/o sp/f tta.htm.
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"Tlie innovative design allows an
average fuel economy improvement of 30 to
40 percent over gasoline engines and produces
the lowest known engine-out NOx ever
achieved by any diesel engine."
6JUL
Patent: 6,857,263
inventors: Charles L. Gray, Jr., David Haugen,
Karl Hellman
Contact:
David Read
^Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory
Ann Arbor, Ml 48105
Telephone: 734-214-4367
read.david@epa.gov
www.epa.gov/otaq/technology
Meeting the Challenge
Clean, Economical Gasoline Alternatives
Diesel has long been a more fuel-efficient alternative to the standard gasoline-powered
automobile. Diesel has a typical fuel efficiency improvement of 25 to 40 percent over gasoline.
Although diesel engines produce less carbon dioxide, they also have been known for emitting
particulate matter and nitrous oxides (NOx) into the environment. That may be changing with
EPA's clean diesel technology, including a new combustion technology developed by Charles
Gray, David Haugen, and others in EPA's National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory in
Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Clean diesel combustion (CDC) was developed and patented by
EPA to maintain diesel's efficiency while making the engine run
ultra-clean in a cost-effective manner. CDC produces the lowest
known engine-out NOx ever achieved by any diesel engine. NOx
can react in the atmosphere to form ground-level ozone, which
can be detrimental to human health. This engine produces less
NOx through a series of design changes to the diesel engine to
develop in-cylinder NOx control, thereby preventing NOx emissions
while maintaining or improving engine efficiency. The innovative engine
design also maintains the economic fuel improvement over gasoline engines.
Because of CDC's potential to transform the diesel auto market, Ford Motor Company
and International Truck and Engine Corporation have joined EPA in cooperative research
and development agreements to demonstrate the technology. International Truck and
Engine Corporation has made significant investments in advancing the CDC technology for
consideration in its product line, and Ford has collaborated with EPA in installing a CDC
engine in a Ford Galaxy minivan. Said Dr. Gerhard Schmidt, Vice President of Research and
Advanced Engineering at Ford, "We are pleased to partner with EPA in this effort, recognizing
that our research results can help meet key challenges facing the automotive industry. Ford's
collaboration with EPA accelerates the development of technologies that will potentially enable
the application of clean diesel engines across many vehicle platforms."
CDC is one of several emerging clean diesel technologies that promise to meet EPA's tailpipe
emission standards and improve fuel economy in cars, SUVs, and trucks. Less than one percent
of passenger vehicles in the United States currently are powered by diesel engines. In the future,
however, clean diesel technologies such as CDC may allow more consumers to benefit from
diesel's performance, durability and fuel efficiency.
http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm
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"The combination of the hydraulic hybrid
technology and the CDC engine or high-efficiency
alcohol engine will result in the world's
cleanest, most fuel-efficient, and most
cost-effective urban delivery vehicle."
Patent Title: Hydraulic Hybrid Vehicle
Patent: 6,719,080
Inventor: Charles L. Gray, Jr.
Contact:
David Read
and Fuel Emissions Laboratory
Ann Arbor, Ml 48105
Telephone: 734-214-4367
read.david@epa.gov
www.epa.gov/otaq/technology
Moving Forward
Hydraulic Hybrids in the Community
Hybrid vehicle technologies have become increasingly popular as gasoline prices have escalated
in recent years. EPA scientists have developed an inventive and highly efficient full-series
hydraulic hybrid vehicle powertrain. Charles Gray and other scientists at the National Vehicle
and Fuel Emissions Laboratory have begun collaborating with external cooperators to install the
hydraulic hybrid technology in SUVs and utility service vehicles.
The technology features a fully hydraulic hybrid powertrain and a unique and innovative
hydraulic hybrid propulsion system integrated with the drive axle. The conventional
transmission and transfer case have been removed and replaced with a hydraulic drivetrain.
Hydraulic motors and hydraulic tanks are used to store energy, in contrast to the electric motors
and batteries used in hybrid electric vehicles. Like other hybrid systems, energy saved when
applying the brakes is reused to help accelerate the vehicle.
Through a cooperative research and development agreement,
EPA is collaborating with the United Parcel Service (UPS),
Eaton Corporation, International Truck and Engine
Corporation, and the U.S. Army National Automotive Center
to build and field test the world's first full hydraulic hybrid
urban delivery vehicle. The vehicle, a UPS delivery truck,
exhibits significantly improved fuel economy and reduced
harmful emissions.
The second phase of this project involves installing a clean
diesel combustion (CDC) engine or high-efficiency alcohol engine into the hydraulic hybrid
powertrain vehicle.
The combination of the hydraulic hybrid technology and the CDC engine or high-efficiency
alcohol engine will result in the world's cleanest, most fuel-efficient, and most cost-effective
urban delivery vehicle. With the CDC engine, the vehicle will achieve a 90 percent reduction in
nitrous oxides (NOx) emissions, thereby meeting the 2010 diesel emissions standards without the
added cost of NOx aftertreatment, and will demonstrate 60 to 70 percent improved fuel economy,
providing a fast payback for the cost of the technology. A typical urban delivery vehicle using
this technology in stop-and-go traffic could save well over $2,500 in fuel each year while
significantly reducing pollution.
http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm
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r i Microbial Source Tracking
"Bacterial contamination in natural waters can
be traced to specific animal sources, including
humans, cows, chickens, seagulls and geese."
'\ '\ ^ ^
_ -
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Patent Pending: 11/316,888
inventors: OrinC. Shanks, Jorge Santo Domingo
Contact:
Orin C. Shanks
Nftio^RiskManagementResearch Laboratory
26 W.Martin Luther King Drive
Mail Code 387
Cincinnati, OH 45268
Telephone: 513-569-7314
E-mail: shanks.orin@epa.gov
Tracking Pollution to the Source
Advanced Microbial Source Tracking Assays
and Genome Fragment Enrichment
An innovative EPA patent pending technology provides an advanced tool for protecting
recreational waters and drinking water sources. Newly developed microbial source tracking
(MST) assays offer an improved method for distinguishing chicken, cattle and human sources of
fecal contaminationa critical component for assessing health risks and determining necessary
remedial actions.
Fecal bacterial contamination poses high risk to human health as well as the economy (e.g., when
beaches or shellfish harvesting areas are affected). With proper identification of the source of
fecal pollution, appropriate corrective measures can be implemented, and the cost of cleanup can
be minimized. MST is used in water quality monitoring related to drinking water, post-hurricane
cleanup, groundwater remediation and protection, runoff from concentrated animal feeding
operations, and wastewater treatment plant effluents.
EPA researchers developed the advanced MST
assays by creating a novel DNA sorting technique
known as Genome Fragment Enrichment (GFE).
The GFE technique identifies unique and divergent
sequences between two DNA preparations. This
approach has been used to characterize differences
between closely related genomes and to compare
total microbial DNA obtained from animal fecal
specimens.
GFE has wider potential application in the field
of comparative metagenomics. Metagenomics is
an emerging field that provides genomic analysis
of uncultured organisms and contributes to a wide
range of end markets, including: aquaculture, meat
production, crop protection, plant productivity, mi-
crobial hydrogen generation, pollution monitoring,
antibiotics, vaccines, enzymes, fermentation processes,
biotechnologies, bioprocessing and acid mine drainage.
Melagenome 1
Melagencme 2
A
Metagenome 1 - Specific DMA Sequences
http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm
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"This invention is a proven test for quick and
accurate detection of bacterial contamination,
with results available in 16 to 24 hours or less."
the Simultaneous
and E coli
ilter Agar Medium
of Total
Patents: 6,063,590/6,306,621/6,670,145
Contact:
Kristen P. Brenner
U.S. EPA
26 W.Martin Luther King Dnve
Mail Code 314
Cincinnati, OH 45268
Telephone: 513-569-7317
E-mail: brenner.kristen@epa.gov
Protecting Our Water
A Fast, Accurate Technique for Detecting Pathogens
Bacterial contamination of water supplies can pose a serious risk to human health. To protect the
public and ensure safe water, EPA researchers have worked with private industry to develop a
quick and accurate method of detecting Escherichia coli (E. coli) and total coliforms (TC).
TC include species that may inhabit the intestines of warm-blooded animals or occur naturally
in soil, vegetation and water. They usually are found in fecally-polluted water and often are
associated with disease outbreaks. Although they usually are not pathogenic themselves, their
presence in drinking water indicates the possible presence of pathogens. E. coli, one species of
the coliform group, is found in feces and, therefore, is an indicator of fecal contamination and the
possible presence of enteric pathogens. In addition, some strains of E. coli are pathogenic.
Method 1604 is a sensitive and differential membrane
filter method that uses membrane filter agar
medium (MI Agar) or MI broth to identify
TC and E. coli. Two enzyme substrates
are included in the medium to detect
enzymes that are produced by the
bacteria. This method is a proven test
for quick and accurate detection,
with results available in 16 to 24
hours or less. It has been approved
for use in monitoring drinking
water, source water and ambient
water (including fresh recreational
water). It also has been proposed
for use with groundwater and may
be useful for analyzing other types
of samples, such as treatment plant
effluents, foods, pharmaceuticals, and
human or veterinary clinical specimens.
http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm
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"The pervaporation system provides a
sustainable method of removing VOCsfrom
groundwater, soil-ivashing and soil-flushing
solutions, and industrial waste streams,"
':
Compounds in Water by Pervaporafon
Patent: 6,039,878
,nventors: Subhas K. Sikdar, Leland Vane
Contact:
Subhas K. Sikdar
U.S. EPA
26 W.Martin Luther King Dnve
Mail Code 235
Cincinnati, OH 45268
Telephone: 513-569-7528
Reducing Waste
Clean and Sustainable Recovery of Volatile
Organic Compounds
Thousands of sites across the country are contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
A new EPA invention offers a clean and sustainable alternative to current remediation methods.
VOCs are used as solvents or as starting materials in a variety of industries, including plastics,
paints, adhesives, parts degreasing and drycleaning. When released to the environment, VOCs
can be harmful to human health and nature. An emerging
cleanup approach relies on extracting VOCs into a water-based
cleaning solution containing a detergent (surfactant). The
resulting water-VOC-surfactant mixture is difficult to separate,
and traditional technologies, such as air stripping and steam
stripping, are hampered by foaming and precipitant formation
problems.
EPA's new technology removes VOCs from the soil-cleaning
solution using a membrane process called pervaporation. A
nonporous membrane removes the VOCs selectively from the
contaminated solutions, leaving behind the nonvolatile surfactant
and other additives in the water stream. The VOCs are recovered
in concentrated form, without air emissions, and then can be
destroyed or reused.
The pervaporation system provides a sustainable method of
removing VOCs from groundwater, soil-washing and soil-
flushing solutions, and industrial waste streams. This invention
could capture a share of the U.S. wastewater equipment market
(estimated to be $774 million in 2004 and anticipated to reach
$1.3 billion by 2011) as well as the U.S. soil and groundwater
remediation technology market (estimated to be $8 billion in
2004 and expected to reach $13 billion by 2010).
http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm
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"This invention meets the economic need and
the environmental demand for easy, efficient
recovery and reuse of alcohols."
Patent Title' Hydrophilic Mixed Matrix Materials
S^everi Water Absorbing Propert.es
Patent: 6,881,364
,nventors: Leland Vane, Ravi Ponangi
Contact:
Leland Vane
U.S. EPA
26 W.Martin Luther King Drive
Mail Code 443
Cincinnati, OH 45268
Telephone: 513-569-7799
E-mail: vane.leland@epa.gov
Recovery and Reuse
Using Pervaporation To Recover and Reuse Alcohols
Pervaporation is an effective and sustainable method for remediating contaminated groundwater
and industrial liquid waste streams. New advancements in this technology are expanding the
range of its applications. One such advancement is the development of new, high performance
hydrophilic membranes with reversible water-absorbing properties. This technology allows
water to be transferred to or from an industrial process stream.
Many situations require this type of transfer; examples include the removal of water produced
in a chemical reaction to drive the reaction to completion; the humidification of a gas stream to
avoid desiccating materials, which requires the presence of moisture; and the dehydration of
organic solvent streams to meet product specifications.
Alcohols are used increasingly as
solvents and cleaning agents in
various industries. Purification
of alcohol streams that have been
contaminated by water is difficult
at certain concentrations. Such
mixtures cannot be separated by
normal distillation and require
more complex processes. EPA's
new hydrophilic membranes enable
pervaporation operations to separate
alcohol from water and allow the
alcohol to be reused. This invention
meets the economic need and the
environmental demand for easy,
efficient recovery and reuse of
alcohols.
http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm
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"The applications are wide ranging and
include neiv methods of contraception,
screening for exposure to toxic pollutants,
improved selection processes for animal
breeding, and male fertility treatments."
Patent Title: Method for Evaluating and Affecting
Male Fertility
Patent: 6,197,940
Inventor: Gary Klinefelter
Contact:
Gary Klinefelter
U.S. EPA
Mail Code 72
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
Telephone: 919-541-5779
E-mail: klinefelter.gary@epa.gov
Advancing the Science of Reproductive Fertility
A Discovery With Wide-Ranging Applications
A recent discovery in the science of reproductive fertility promises significant advances in this
field. EPA scientists have identified a sperm protein, SP-22, that can be used to evaluate, inhibit
or enhance male fertility. The applications for this are wide ranging and include new methods of
contraception, screening for exposure to toxic pollutants, improved selection processes for animal
breeding, and male fertility treatments.
The invention has been tested successfully in rats, rabbits,
stallions, bulls and humans and has demonstrated a proof
of concept. Specifically, this invention has the potential to:
Provide a means for predicting male fertility in
animals and humans.
Screen animals and humans for exposure to known
or suspected endocrine disrupters for fertility.
Select sires that are good candidates for providing
sperm for artificial insemination.
Screen human semen for fertility to improve the
success of assisted reproductive techniques.
Improve fertility in males who fail to express a
sufficient amount of SP-22, formerly known as
SP-16, in sperm.
Provide a reversible male contraceptive.
Currently, infertility affects approximately 6 million
couples in the United States, and infertility diagnostics
represents a multibillion dollar industry. There also is a
need for an effective, reversible male contraceptive. This
invention offers a much needed contribution in these
areas
as well as in the field of animal husbandry.
http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm
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"EPA researchers have developed an improved,
cost-effective instrument for measuring the
thickness of soft biological tissues."
-
^Electronic Caliper for Mouse Ear and Rat Foot
Pad Edema Measurement
Patent: 6,829,839
Inventor. Paul M. Killough
Contact:
Paul M. Killough
U.S. EPA
109 T.W.Alexander Drive
Mail Code B-105-02
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
Telephone: 919-541-2610
E-mail: killough.paul@epa.gov
Improving Precision
A New Instrument for Measuring Soft Tissues
Many commercial and industrial applications, particularly biological research efforts involving
animals, require measurements of soft, pliant objects. Numerous instruments for making these
measurements have been developed, many of which are quite expensive. EPA researchers have
developed an improved, cost-effective instrument for measuring the thickness of soft biological
tissues.
Accurate and precise measurements are critical to obtaining
sound scientific data. Commercially available calipers, however,
apply too much force to the tissue, thus producing unreliable
results. The improved design uses a very low-friction movable
arm and a noncontact inductive sensor. Contact force applied by
calipers of this design is adjustable from less than 1 to more than
5 grams. These calipers have been shown to apply exactly the
same amount of force at each measured distance; in other words,
they conform to Hooke's law where force applied is proportional
to distance measured.
Two versions of this caliper have been constructed. The first
unit has a measuring range of 0 to 2 mm for measuring the
thickness of the ear of an anesthetized mouse. In a standard test
for chemically induced hypersensitivity, the test article is injected
into the pina of one ear and a control substance into the other.
The caliper is used to detect and quantify differences in swelling
attributable to the sensitizing potential of the test article. The
second unit has a range of 0 to 10 mm and is used to measure the thickness of the foot pad of an
anesthetized rat. This assay is used to evaluate effects of pollutants on the ability of the immune
system to respond to antigen challenge.
This invention may find use in a small subcategory (approximately $30 million) of the measuring
instrument market, estimated to be $1 billion.
http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm
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"The BCR's simple operation and low
maintenance requirements may render it
economically more feasible titan other
water treatment technologies,"
nn»
Patent Title: Biomass Concentrator Reactor
Patent: 6,821,425
inventors: Albert D. Venosa, Makram T. Suidan
Contact:
Albert D. Venosa
U.S EPA
26 Martin Luther King Dnve
Mail Code 489A
Cincinnati, OH 45268
Telephone: 513-569-7668
E-mail: venosa.albert@epa.gov
Caring for the Nation's Water Supply
Safe, Energy-Efficient Water Treatment Technology
The quality of the nation's water supply is of increasing importance as the population continues
to grow and urban areas expand. Surface waters from streams, rivers and other water bodies and
wastewater from homes, industries and businesses require treatment to reduce pollutants and
ensure public safety. Biological treatment is the most widely used technology to treat wastewater,
and a new EPA patent promises a safer, more energy-efficient component to this process. This
process also is gaining popularity for the treatment of drinking water.
The new, gravity-flow biomass concentrator reactor (BCR) effectively retains and concentrates
suspended solids from treated water. The design encompasses an aeration chamber housing a
high surface area porous polyethylene membrane system that retains all of the biomass within
the aeration chamber. Its simple operation and low maintenance requirements may render it
more economical than other water treatment technologies.
The BCR has been demonstrated to be effective in any environment where high biomass
retention is desired or required for highly efficient biodegradation to occur. For example, it has
proved effective in the biological treatment of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE)-contaminated
groundwater. MTBE is a gasoline additive that contaminates groundwater when underground
storage tanks leak gasoline into the aquifer.
This technology could be used as a package plant replacement or for small municipal activated
sludge systems (no clarifier needed) as well as for treating surface water for drinking purposes.
It produces a clear and organic-free effluent, and it reduces natural organic matter sufficiently
that trihalomethane precursors would be minimized. It can be used for industrial wastewater
treatment and possibly for the anaerobic treatment of waters contaminated with perchlorates.
This invention holds potential for improving municipal wastewater treatment facilities.
Biological wastewater treatment is a $15 billion industry and is critical for the health and well
being of the nation.
http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm
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"The inexpensive, low-volume sampler is used
in a broad variety of sampling environments
by virtue of its compact, lightweight, highly
portable, weatherproof and rugged design,"
Patent Title: Portable Controlled Air Sampler
Patent: 5,333,511
inventors: Gerald A. Boyum, Jon W.Schweiss
Contact:
Jon WSchweiss, Chief of Staff
Regional Administrator's Office
U.S. EPA Region 10
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
Telephone: 206-553-1690
E-mail: schweiss.jon@epa.gov
Serving Needs Worldwide
Advanced Technology for Monitoring Air Quality
The saturation sampler is an outstanding example of a collaborative development that is reaching
the international marketplace and serving needs worldwide. Numerous efforts, ranging from
monitoring indoor air quality to responding to catastrophic events, have incorporated this
advanced air sampling technology.
Jointly developed by EPA and the Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority, the saturation sampler
reflects a unique integration, expansion and implementation of existing technologies. A U.S.
patent was awarded for its ability to collect both filter and whole air samples in simultaneous,
overlapping and/or individual monitoring regimes. The inexpensive, low-volume sampler is
used in a broad variety of sampling environments by virtue of its compact, lightweight, highly
portable, weatherproof and rugged design. It is used by private and public sector entities in a
wide array of applications worldwide, including:
Evaluating the representativeness and informing the design of
fixed monitoring air monitoring networks and programs
Informing the development and verifying the performance of air
quality dispersion models
Developing air emissions permits and monitoring compliance
Conducting indoor air quality studies
Conducting occupational air quality studies
Conducting exposure/epidemiological studies
Conducting air toxics studies
Performing surveillance on airborne hazards to military personnel (e.g., at deployments
in Afghanistan and Iraq)
Responding to emergencies (e.g., measuring impacts in the aftermath of the World Trade
Center attack, Gulf War/Kuwait oil well fires and volcanic eruptions).
More than 3,200 samplers have been sold domestically and internationally, with total revenues
exceeding $6 million. Approximately one-half of the 200-400 samplers sold annually now are
purchased by international clients.
http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm
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"Pathogens can be identified quickly and
accurately, allowing illnesses to be
diagnosed and treated more effectively."
PatentTitle: Method of Identifying and Quantifying
Specific Fungi and Bactena
Patent: 6,387,652
lnventors: Richard Haugland, Stephen Vesper
Contact:
Stephen Vesper
U.S. EPA
26 W.Martin Luther King Drive
Mail Code 314
Cincinnati, OH 45268
Telephone: 513-569-7367
E-mail: vesper.stephen@epa,gov
Protecting Our Homes
A DNA-Based Innovation To Identify Molds
and Bacteria
Numerous health problems in the United States are associated with mold (i.e., fungi) in homes,
schools and businesses. With a new technology developed by EPA researchers, these problems
can be identified quickly and accurately, allowing illnesses to be diagnosed and treated more
effectively. Perhaps more important, use of this technology may prevent disease occurrence.
EPA's new DNA-based process can identify and quantify more than 130
species of toxic molds and potentially pathogenic fungi in the environ-
ment. Fungi and bacteria cause or contribute to many health prob-
lems, including infections, gastroenteritis, ulcers, asthma, allergies
and sinusitis. This invention may have applications in research re-
lated to therapeutics and diagnostics for these illnesses. Additionally,
this technology can be used to:
Determine whether an environment is abnormally
mold contaminated.
Test homes for potentially pathogenic molds.
Test water for pathogenic molds.
Monitor hospitals to prevent nosocomial mold infections.
Rapidly diagnose mold infections so that treatment can begin earlier.
Monitor food and drugs for mold contamination.
Measure the risk for mold associated with allergic and asthmatic disease.
Diagnose chronic rhinosinusitis.
Monitor crops for mold pathogens in an integrated pest management program,
thus reducing the use of pesticides.
This method provides real-time results that are more accurate and less time-consuming than
current technologies. EPA-licensed commercial laboratories in the United States and the
European Union already use this method to provide service for their clients.
http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm
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"By reducing the accumulation of sewer solids in
pipes, the new system can optimize performance,
maintain structural integrity and minimize
pollution in receiving waters,"
-
Patent Title: System and Method forVacuum
Flushing Sewer Solids
Patent: 6,655,402
Inventor: Chi-YuanFan
Contact:
Richard Field
11o EPA
Urban Watershed Management Branch
2890 Woodbridge Avenue
Mail Code 104
Edison, NJ 08837-3679
Telephone: 732-321-6674
E-mail: field.richard@epa.gov
Protecting the Community
Technologies To Improve Urban Drainage Systems
EPA's new patented vacuum flushing method promises a significant improvement to current
urban drainage systems. By reducing the accumulation of sewer solids in pipes, the new system
can optimize performance, maintain structural integrity and minimize pollution in receiving
waters.
Combined sewer overflows, stormwater runoff and sanitary sewer overflows are major
contributors to the degradation of many urban lakes, streams and rivers. During heavy
rainstorms, wet weather flows often exceed the capacity of current sewer systems and wastewater
treatment plants and, consequently, discharge the excess into receiving waters. Moreover, during
periods of low rainfall, water velocity in drainage systems is reduced, allowing sewer solids
to settle in pipes. Subsequent rainstorms may resuspend these accumulated solids, creating
extremely high concentrations of suspended solids, which because of the limited capacity of
many systems, can overflow into receiving waters and produce detrimental shock loadings.
Accumulated solids also restrict and/or
block drainage flow, which can cause
an upstream surge or local flooding.
Accumulated sewer solids also create
septic conditions that pose odor, health
hazards and corrosion problems.
The new system is a cost-effective
means of removing sewer solids from
urban drainage systems between
storms and, therefore, reducing the
amount of pollutants that reach
receiving waters. It operates under
atmospheric pressure and hydrostatic
buildup and does not require complex
control instrumentation or an
extramural source of water for flushing.
This technology meets an ongoing need
for improved protection of the health
and safety of water systems in urban
environments.
ondiur
^Air Vent Outlet During
Water Level Raising
Air Inlet into the
Flushing Reservoir
When Water Level
Drops Below the
Opening Elevation
Water Level in the Reservoir
Water Level outside the
Reservoir (Sewer or Tank)
Releasing Water after Breaking
Vacuum in the Reservoir Creating
Flushing Wave Action
http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm
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"The avoidance of costs associated with sludge
removal combined with revenue from the sale
of recovered metals may provide a return on
investment that surpasses comparable processes,"
Patent Title: Recovery of Metals From Metal-Bearing
Acidic Waste Streams
Patent Pending: 11/224,039
inventors: John O.Burckle, Fred K. Kawahara,
RakeshGovind, Henry H.Tabak, and
Richard A. Scharp.
Contact:
Richard Scharp
U.S. EPA
26 W.Martin Luther King Drive
Mail Code 445
Cincinnati, OH 45268
Telephone: 513-569-7496
E-mail: burckle.john@epa.gov
Products from Waste
A Cost-Effective Alternative for Recovering Metals
and Treating Industrial Wastewater
EPA scientists have developed an improved method for treating industrial wastewater to
recover metals in a commercially valuable form. The process involves the sequential removal
of metal species from an acidic, sulfate-containing wastewater stream by pH control and sulfide
or hydroxide precipitation. The sulfide used for metal precipitation is produced by hydrogen-
consuming, sulfate-reducing bacteria in a membrane bioreactor. This method produces
marketable, high-purity metal precipitates as well as an effluent stream that meets EPA water
quality "Gold Book Standards." In a two-step process, the metals are precipitated in individual
stages to achieve separation, and the metal-free wastewater is treated to remove the sulfate
as hydrogen sulfide. The metals are removed as high-purity (90%+ based on metals content)
metal sulfide or hydroxide precipitates that are suitable for existing markets or conversion to
commodities. Recovered compounds include: copper sulfide, zinc sulfide, manganese sulfide
and aluminum hydroxide. Excess hydrogen sulfide can be converted to sodium hydrosulfide
solution, a commodity chemical used in paper pulping processes. Alternatively, an advanced
bioconversion technology can be used to combine the bioreactor and precipitation steps into a
single process unit for each of the metals requiring sulfide precipitation.
This technology offers a cost-effective alternative for recovering metals and treating industrial
wastewater. The avoidance of costs associated with sludge removal combined with revenues
from recovered metals may provide a return on investment that surpasses comparable processes.
A pay-back time of 6 to 18 months has been projected based on commodity value ranges. The
significance of this technology includes the following:
Waste sludge (i.e., RCRA products), which is associated with current lime precipitation
processes, is not produced.
Accessory metals, such as arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, nickel and ferric iron, can be removed.
The presence of accessory metal in the resulting product compares satisfactorily with that
found in natural ores.
The high-purity precipitates are in acceptable forms for existing markets.
The water produced is suitable for discharge.
Initially developed to treat acid mine drainage wastewater, this process has potential applicability
for many metal-bearing wastewaters. Future research partners may include hard-rock and coal
mine operators, industrial wastewater generators, wastewater treatment process and/or equip-
ment vendors, and remediation contractors.
http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm
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"With growing concern about hazardous
chemical remediation methods, bioremediation
likely will increase in importance as an environ-
mentally preferable remediation alternative,"
:.
Source and Other Amendments
Patent Pending: 09/866,793
inventors: Wendy Davis-Hoover, Stephen Vesper
Contact:
Wendy Davis-Hoover
5995 Center Hill Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45224
Phone: 513-569-7206
E-mail: davis-hoover.wendy@epa.gov
Restoring the Soil
Earth-Friendly Alternatives to Chemical Remediation
Subsurface pollution is an environmental issue of great concern in the United States and around
the world. Bioremediation has proven to be an effective and environmentally preferable
treatment for biodegradable pollutants, such as methyl tertiary butyl ether, toluene, ethylbenzene,
xylenes and others. Performance of bioremediation, however, has been limited because it can be
difficult to access the contamination in subsurface soil and because, in most cases, bioremediation
requires oxygen, which is highly insoluble in water. Researchers at EPA have developed an
advanced bioremediation process for subsurface treatment of soil pollution that solves these
problems.
Bioremediation relies on microorganisms to break down pollutants into nontoxic matter. To
access the subsurface, hydraulic fracturing was adapted by EPA from the oil drilling industry.
A hole is drilled into the contaminated area, and high pressure water cracks the subsurface
layers. Microorganisms then are introduced into the fractures, where they begin to degrade the
pollutants. Because microorganisms require oxygen, it is pumped either as air or oxygenated
water into the cracks. In both cases, the oxygen is lost quickly from the bioremediation process.
EPA developed encapsulated sodium percarbonate, called Solid Oxygen Source (SOS), to provide
a slow, constant and controlled release of oxygen for use by the microorganisms to degrade the
pollutants. The SOS can be delivered in the hydraulic fracturing water directly to the site of the
contamination in the soil.
Hydraulic fracturing combined with the SOS offers numerous advantages over standard
bioremediation methods. Operational costs are minimized because equipment maintenance
is not required (i.e., surface pumps or meters, which tend to freeze and fail, are not needed);
the process does not spread pollutants; and the slow release of oxygen provides a long-term
treatment.
Bioremediation is part of the multibillion dollar U.S. remediation industry and has application
worldwide. With growing concern about hazardous chemical remediation methods, bioremedia-
tion likely will increase in importance as an environmentally preferable remediation alternative.
http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm
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"This technology can enhance or control tissue
growth and repair by targeting specific ions."
'\ '\ ^ ^
_ -
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PatentTitle: Method andApparatus for Altering ionic
Interactions With Magnetic F.elds
Patent: 5,919,679
Inventors: Carl F. Blackman, Janie Page
Contact:
Carl F. Blackman
U.S. EPA
Mail Code B-143-06
109 T.W.Alexander Drive
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
Telephone: 919-541-2543
E-mail: blackman.carl@epa.gov
Enhancing Medical Research
Advancements in Electromagnetic Therapy
Research often has unexpected and far-reaching benefits. This method to enhance tissue growth
was an outcome from EPA's research into the health effects of chemicals introduced into drinking
water by the disinfection process.
EPA research focused on the underlying molecular targets responsible for cancer induction in
animal models. EPA scientists designed and conducted a series of tests of disinfection
by-products and closely related chemicals that revealed different concentration response curves
but otherwise exhibited no additional characteristics upon which to develop a mode of action
(MoA). The principal investigator decided to use magnetic fields and melatonin, which had been
shown to enhance the tumor-suppressor function, as tools to reveal underlying characteristics
that would aid in the development of an MoA. Results with both tools allowed for segregation
of the chemicals into otherwise indistinguishable subgroups. The investigator, aware of activities
in other research areas where these tools were beginning to be used, inadvertently discovered
treatment conditions that allowed for more refined and precise methods and applications for
healing bones and enhancing tissue growth in human and animal models.
This patented methodology describes how to preferentially stimulate certain ions within tissues
or cells. Clinical and animal research has shown that ionic stimulation by magnetic fields has
increased the rate of cellular activity or bone growth in broken or damaged bones. In some cases,
ionic stimulation has improved or increased the total amount of bone density. The methodology
also has application in nervous system processes including nerve growth.
http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm
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