SBIR Phase I:Development of Wide Area Radiation Sources for Wastewater Treatment

This SBIR Phase I project will develop and demonstrate the feasibility of X-ray with or without UV-C treatment for inactivating, destroying, or otherwise reducing major wastewater contaminants. The investigators will also make preliminary determinations as to the effectiveness and comparative advantages of X-ray and UV-C against estrogen, a broad spectrum of fluid stream contaminants, and ascaris (worm) eggs to determine priorities for Phase II prototyping and market entry. Tests will also be run using both fluxes simultaneously or in sequence, as hardware permits, to determine if synergistic effects are present. The broader/commercial impact of the project will be creation of X-Ray sources for the water and wastewater environment that can be installed as a flat broad-area source, or installed within a round pipe. Successful demonstrations of the objectives of this project will lead to new solutions and major commercial opportunities not only in municipal wastewater treatment, but in fresh water treatment, industrial wastewater, marine, and residential water treatment markets.