SBIR Phase I: Advancing a novel low-voltage electric arc method to oxidize organic material in contaminated water

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project from Symbios Technologies LLC advances a novel plasma reactor method to oxidize organic matter in untreated water. This method has further potential to destroy harmful substances such as pesticides, pathogens, and some inorganics. A provisional patent covering this technology has been filed with the U.S. Patent office. In earlier research, a proof-of-concept batch apparatus demonstrated that this reactor could destroy selected organic compounds and pathogens. However, this early version could not be economically scaled up nor run in a continuous mode. This Phase I project will build a new apparatus design at a laboratory scale, capable of treating water continuously. Studies will then be conducted to verify the effectiveness of the new reactor design, and to investigate the mechanisms and kinetics of the degradation of a selected organic compound. The broader/commercial impacts of this research are: an economical and effective method to treat raw water, input water, industrial wastewater, and contaminated potable water; and potential portability to desired locations. There are several ongoing incidences of waterborne diseases in many parts of the world and economical options for on-site treatment are limited. Our analytical projections indicate that it would be feasible to treat large quantities of untreated water economically on a commercial scale using a portable system. Furthermore, this apparatus would be compatible with renewable energy sources and with extended applications to remote sites, such as military bases and disaster relief operations.