AIR Option 1: Technology Translation - Advancing Microbial Fuel Cell Technology for Energy-efficient Wastewater Treatment

该PFI：AIR技术翻译项目的重点是翻译微生物燃料电池（MFC）技术，以满足对节能，废水处理技术的需求。翻译的MFC技术具有以下独特的特点：低能耗，低污泥产量，以及从低浓度废水中的废弃有机材料中回收能量。 与该市场领域领先的活性污泥技术相比，这些功能提供了降低能源需求和运营费用的优势。该项目通过建立一个过渡阶段的MFC系统和提高行业对这项技术的认识来实现这一目标。 该项目的输出是一个正常运行的MFC原型系统，并确定了设计中试规模系统的关键操作参数。该合作伙伴关系涉及潜在的工业合作伙伴，如威立雅水务和其他商业合作伙伴，为低浓度废水处理系统的竞争力和潜在的商业化途径提供市场指导，以引入新的生物电化学处理系统，将过渡阶段的MFC技术成功转化为具有竞争力的商业现实。预计未来20年的潜在经济影响将达到7亿美元，这将有助于美国在可持续污水处理方面的竞争力。长期的社会影响将是改善环境保护，减少碳足迹，创造新的商业机会和就业机会，并为水/废水行业和研究提供合格的人才。

This PFI: AIR Technology Translation project focuses on translating microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology to address the need for energy-efficient, wastewater treatment technologies. The translated MFC technology has the following unique features: low energy consumption, low sludge production, and energy recovery from waste organic materials in low-strength wastewater. These features provide the advantage of reduced energy requirement and operating expense, when compared to the leading competing activated sludge technology in this market space. The project accomplishes this goal by establishing a transitional-stage MFC system and improving the industry's perception of this technology. The output of this project is a functioning prototype MFC system and identification of the key operating parameters for designing a pilot scale system. The partnership engages potential industrial partners such as Veolia Water and other business partners to provide market guidance about low-strength wastewater treatment system's competitiveness and potential commercialization pathways to introduce new bioelectrochemical treatment systems to translate the transitional-stage MFC technology successfully into a competitive commercial reality. The potential economic impact is expected to be $700 million in next twenty years, which will contribute to the U.S. competitiveness in sustainable wastewater treatment. The societal impact, long term, will be improved environmental protection, reduced carbon footprint, creation of new business opportunities and jobs, and delivery of qualified talent for both the water/wastewater industry and research.