Miniature System for Removal of Disinfection Byproducts

描述（由申请人提供）：安全饮用水的可用性是一个重大的健康问题。采用氯化消毒方法大大降低了水传播疾病的死亡率，被认为是一项重大的公共卫生进步。不幸的是，当氯和其他消毒剂用于水处理厂时，会形成消毒副产物（DPB）。许多消毒副产品会对健康造成严重影响 影响，是潜在的致癌物质。目前用于最大限度减少饮用水中DPB的处理方案要么不充分，要么实施成本太高。防止接触DPB的一种潜在手段是通过在用水地点附近广泛实施处理方法（即，使用点处理）。在第一阶段，我们展示了一个使用点， 基于光催化氧化的水处理装置。该方法具有将DPB降解为良性最终产品的高潜力，并以低于当前处理方案的成本提供安全的饮用水。第一阶段研究的重大成就包括证明该设备的大规模生产潜力及其多种应用，包括控制微生物污染物。第二阶段将侧重于优化 设备的设计和功能。 拟定商业应用： 本提案中描述的使用点水净化方法具有许多经济优势。 所提出的装置可以用作独立的处理方法，或者其商业潜力可以通过将其与美国数百万消费者使用的类似水净化装置集成来增强。考虑到在医疗保健设施、家庭、餐馆、食品服务机构和酒店中使用的大量使用点装置，市场机会是巨大的。 据估计，美国每年的市场价值超过15亿美元，Lynntech在将这项技术商业化方面处于有利地位，已经获得了涵盖本发明许多方面的知识产权。 此外，Lynntech的管理团队在将与水处理、医疗保健和消费产品相关的新技术商业化方面经验丰富。 拟定商业应用： 本提案中所述的使用点水净化方法有许多经济优势

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The availability of safe drinking water is a significant health concern. The introduction of chlorination as a disinfection method caused a large drop in mortality from water borne diseases and was considered a major public health advance. Unfortunately, disinfection byproducts (DPBs) are formed when chlorine and other disinfectants are used in water treatment plants. Many disinfection byproducts can have serious health effects and are potential carcinogens. Current treatment options to minimize DPBs in drinking water are either inadequate or too costly to implement. A potential means to combat exposure to DPBs is through the widespread implementation of treatment methods near to the place where water is consumed (i.e., point-of-use treatment). In Phase I, we demonstrated a point-of-use water treatment device based on photocatalytic oxidation. The method has a high potential to degrade DPBs to benign end products and provide safe drinking water at a cost lower than current treatment options. Significant accomplishments of the Phase I study included demonstration of the device's potential for mass production as well as its multiple applications, including control of microbial contaminants. The Phase II will focus on optimization of the device's design and capabilities. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: There are many economic advantages to the point-of-use water purification method described in this proposal. The proposed device can be used as a stand alone treatment method, or its commercial potential may be enhanced by integrating it with siilar water purification devices that are used by millions of consumers in the U.S. The market opportunity is substantial, given the large number of point-of-use devices that are used in health care facilities, homes, restaurants, food service establishments and hotels. The market is estimated to be worth over $1.5 billion annually in the U.S. Lynntech is well positioned to commercialize this technology, having secured intellectual property covering many aspects of the invention. Additionally, Lynntech's management team is experienced in commercializing new technology related to water treatment, healthcare and consumer products. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: There are many economic advantages to the point-of-use water purification method described in this proposal