SBIR Phase II: Energy Efficient COD Removal and De-nitrification for Re-circulating Aquaculture Facilities with a Combined Bio-electrochemical Process

小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第二阶段项目将优化和试点测试一种新的、能源积极的全球水产养殖业反硝化方法。循环水养殖系统的污水处理成本高。利用生物电化学系统的最新进展，寒武纪的脱氮技术能够同时处理管道末端的化学需氧量（COD）和培养池水中的硝酸盐，同时直接发电。I期研发证实了水产养殖废水中存在外电生微生物。通过反应器的水流始终将硝酸盐处理到低于EPA饮用水浓度（10mg/L），同时平均去除管道末端65%的COD，并产生超过96安培/立方米。经济分析表明，与竞争系统相比，潜在的运营节省超过70%，并具有显着的生物安全效益。第二阶段的研发将侧重于与合作伙伴公司优化处理率和反应器参数，并在水产养殖场试用规模反应器。这项研究的更广泛影响是为循环水养殖业引入解决水和能源问题的技术和战略。随着全球渔业的崩溃，水产养殖业将填补我们粮食生产中的一个重要空白。然而，再循环系统尤其面临着限制用水强度和污染造成的环境危害的压力。生物电化学系统代表了一种将废物资源转化为能源的新方法，从而增加了农民的收入。解决经济与可持续性之间的紧张关系。未来的研究可以将应用范围扩大到其他行业。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will optimize and pilot test a novel, energy-positive approach to de-nitrification for the global aquaculture industry. Recirculating aquaculture systems suffer from high wastewater treatment costs. Leveraging recent advances in bio-electrochemical systems, Cambrian's de-nitrification technology is capable of simultaneously treating chemical oxygen demand (COD) at end of pipe and nitrates in culture tank water while generating electricity directly. Phase I R&D demonstrated the existence of exo-electrogenic microorganisms in aquaculture wastewater. A flow through reactor consistently treated nitrate to below EPA drinking water concentrations (10mg/L) while removing an average of 65% of end-of-pipe COD and generating over 96 Amps/m3. An economic analysis demonstrated potential operating savings of over 70%, and significant bio-security benefits, versus competing systems. Phase II R&D will focus on optimizing treatment rates and reactor parameters with partner firms, and piloting a scaled reactor at an Aquaculture farm.The broader impacts of this research are to introduce technologies and strategies that solve water and energy problems for the recirculating aquaculture industry. With the collapse of fisheries globally, the aquaculture industry is poised to fill an important gap in our food production. However, recirculating systems in particular are under pressure to limit environmental harm caused by water intensity and pollution. Bio-electrochemical systems represent a novel approach to turn waste resources into energy, thereby increasing farmer?s bottom line and resolving the tension between economics and sustainability. Future research can broaden applications to other industries.