SBIR Phase I: Developing a Multi-Functional Nanoparticle-Enhanced Filter Media for Decentralized Water Purification Systems

这个小型企业创新研究第一阶段项目将研究一种用于分散式净水系统的新型增强型过滤介质。虽然在水处理设施中实施紫外线(UV)、膜或臭氧系统是资本密集型的，对于较小的工厂来说可能不可行，但分散式系统，如使用点(POU)和入口点(POE)设备，是相对便宜的处理选择，并为消费者提供额外的保护。最近的研究表明，活性元素零价铁(ZVI)的纳米颗粒可以吸附和灭活水中的病毒和其他微生物病原体。在这个项目中，我们将开发一种工艺，在颗粒介质上创建高表面积的纳米ZVI涂层，以实现卓越的POU过滤产品。通过加入这种新材料，我们可以显著提高POU/POE设备从饮用水中去除病毒、其他微生物和其他污染物(如砷、铅和消毒副产品)的能力。在第一阶段，我们将开发一种将纳米ZVI涂层到过滤介质上的过程，对介质进行表征，并测试所产生的过滤器对关键有机和无机污染物的影响。该项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力将是一种新的过滤技术，其性能将与现有技术(如紫外线、反渗透和纳滤)相同或更好，但制造成本更低。2005年，美国家用水处理产品的市场规模为26亿美元，欧洲市场预计到2014年将达到10亿美元。一旦成功演示，拟议的创新将为消费者带来相当大的好处，包括降低健康风险，为驻扎在偏远地区的房主和军事人员提供更好的供水安全，增强露营者和现场工作人员的便携式水处理能力，以及水处理技术制造业潜在的新就业机会。提议的创新的主要优势之一是它建立在现有POU/PoE技术的基础上。因此，它将为客户所熟悉，并可以作为一种改进的？产品。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will investigate a new enhanced filter media for decentralized water purification systems. Whereas implementation of ultraviolet (UV), membrane, or ozonation systems at water treatment facilities is capital-intensive and potentially infeasible for smaller plants, decentralized systems, such as point-of-use (POU) and point-of-entry (POE) devices, are treatment options that are relatively inexpensive and provide additional protection for consumers. Recent studies have shown that nanoparticles of the reactive element zero-valent iron (ZVI) can adsorb and inactivate viruses and other microbial pathogens in water. In this project, we will develop a process to create high-surface area coatings of nano-ZVI onto granular media to enable a superior POU filtration product. By incorporating this new material, we can significantly improve the ability of POU/POE devices to remove viruses, other microorganisms, and other contaminants (e.g. arsenic, lead, and disinfection byproducts) from drinking water. In Phase I, we will develop a process to coat nano-ZVI onto filtration media, characterize the media, and test the resulting filter with respect to key organic and inorganic contaminants.The broader impact/commercial potential of this project will be a new filter technology which will perform as well as, or better than, existing technologies (e.g., ultraviolet, reverse osmosis, and nanofiltration), but which is cheaper to manufacture. In 2005, the US market for household water treatment products was $2.6 billion, with the European market forecasted to reach $1 billion by the year 2014. Once successfully demonstrated, the proposed innovation will offer consumers with considerable benefits including reduced health risks and greater water supply security for homeowners and military personnel stationed in remote locations, enhanced portable water treatment capabilities for campers and field workers, and potential new job opportunities in the water treatment technology manufacturing industry. One of the major advantages of the proposed innovation is that it builds upon existing POU/POE technologies. It would, therefore, be familiar to customers and could be marketed as an ?improved? product.