SBIR Phase II: Evaluating the feasibility of the TotalTHM-NOW for drinking water treatment plants to improve water quality, reduce costs, and lower cancer risks

项目总结/摘要 长期暴露于饮用水消毒剂会增加患癌症的风险- 产品（DBPs）。三卤甲烷（THMs）是最常见的一类消毒副产物， 氯化。尽管四氢大麻酚被管制了40年。许多饮用水处理厂（WTP）仍然 没有维护法规遵从性所需的经济实惠的现场工具。这些废物处理厂的监督可 将其运营预算的三分之二以上用于处理过程，其中很大一部分用于 致力于THM控制策略。然而，没有实时的THMs浓度数据，WTP操作员盲目地 调整可能导致效率低下和运营成本上升的处理流程。虽然 是用于现场THMs监测的商业设备，大多数WTP都负担不起。这是特别 适用于非常小、小型和许多中型公用事业。这些支付点中的许多往往是农村的， 经济困难地区，但它们与其较大的大都市处于相同的法规之下 同行这里提出的研究将彻底改变水处理，为所有WTP提供能力， 用于经济实惠的THMs现场过程控制。在第一阶段，两种仪器被证明在技术上是可行的。 可行TotalTHM-NOW，其中NOW仅指“现在”获得结果，是基于经过验证的，同行- 审查和专利的科学。THM Meter是第一阶段研究工作的衍生设备。两者 设备基于相同的化学，关键的区别在于TotalTHM-NOW是一种全自动， 总THM的在线分析仪，而THM计是半自动的。TotalTHM-NOW将成为 在大量的中型WTP，大型和超大型WTP。我们的低成本THM表将是唯一 可提供专为所有超小型、小型和中型WTP设计的设备。这是一个“游戏- 对于一个近十年来一直在努力满足的行业来说， 价格实惠的现场THMs监测。在第二阶段，我们将展示商业可行性 这些系统。具体目标是减少仪器占地面积，并进一步优化TotalTHM- 现在生产测试原型;包装和优化THM米;并进行一系列全国性的测试。 beta测试，为行业采用和商业化做好准备。TotalTHM-NOW和THM仪表 将导致更好的三卤甲烷浓度的过程控制在污水处理厂，更全面的了解三卤甲烷 因此，在工厂和分配系统中的THMs浓度较低。世界各地的WTP 美国将拥有他们所需的工具：（1）经历更少的THMs违规行为，（2）收获 通过减少能源和化学品的使用，实现经济/环境效益，（3）实现更高的社区 对饮用水的信心，并最终（4）通过减少THMs暴露降低癌症风险。

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT There is an increased risk of cancer associated with long-term exposure to drinking water disinfection by- products (DBPs). Trihalomethanes (THMs) are the most common class of DBPs formed during water chlorination. Despite the THMs being regulated for 40 years. many drinking water treatment plants (WTPs) still do not have affordable, on-site tools needed to maintain compliance. Superintendents at these WTPs may allocate more than two-thirds of their operating budget for treatment processes, with a significant portion being devoted for THM control strategies. However, without real-time THMs concentration data, WTP operators blindly adjust the treatment processes which may lead to inefficient practices and higher operating costs. While there are commercial devices for on-site THMs monitoring, they are not affordable to most WTPs. This is especially true for very small, small, and many medium sized utilities. Many of these WTP are often rural and located in economically distressed regions, but they are under the same regulations as their larger Metropolitan counterparts. The research proposed here will revolutionize water treatment by providing to all WTPs the ability for affordable, on-site process control of THMs. In Phase I, two instruments were proven to be technically feasible. The TotalTHM-NOW, where NOW refers simply to getting the results “now”, is based on proven, peer- reviewed and patented science. The THM Meter is a spin-out device of the Phase I research efforts. Both the devices are based on the same chemistry, the key difference being that the TotalTHM-NOW is a fully automated, on-line analyzer for Total THMs whereas the THM Meter is semi-automated. The TotalTHM-NOW will be targeted at the large number of mid-sized WTPs, large, and very large WTPs. Our lower-cost THM Meter will be the only device available designed specifically for all very small, small, and medium WTPs. These systems are “game- changers” with regards to price and performance for an industry that has struggled for almost a decade to meet affordable price points for on-site THMs monitoring. In Phase II, we will demonstrate the commercial feasibility of these systems. The specific aims are to reduce the instrument footprint and further optimize the TotalTHM- NOW to produce beta prototypes; to package and optimize the THM Meter; and to conduct a series of nationwide beta tests to ready the devices for industry adoption and commercialization. The TotalTHM-NOW and THM Meter will lead to better process control of THMs concentrations at the WTP, a more complete understanding of THMs formation, and thus lower THMs concentrations at the plant and in the distribution system. WTPs across the United States will have the tools they need to: (1) experience fewer THMs violations, (2) reap economic/environmental benefits through reduced energy and chemical usage, (3) achieve higher community confidence in their drinking water, and ultimately (4) lower cancer risks through reductions in THMs exposure.