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

这个PFI：空气技术转化项目的重点是转化微生物燃料电池(MFC)技术，以满足对节能、废水处理技术的需求。转化后的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物中回收能源。与该市场领域领先的竞争活性污泥技术相比，这些特点提供了降低能源需求和运行费用的优势。该项目通过建立过渡阶段的MFC系统并改善业界对该技术的看法来实现这一目标。该项目的成果是一个正在运行的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威立雅水务等潜在工业合作伙伴和其他业务合作伙伴，就低浓度废水处理系统的竞争力和潜在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技术成功地转化为具有竞争力的商业现实。预计在未来20年内，潜在的经济影响将达到7亿美元，这将有助于美国在可持续废水处理方面的竞争力。从长远来看，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/废水行业和研究输送合格的人才。

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.