Project Title: PFI-TT: Reactive biofilm surfaces for efficient nitrogen management in liquid waste streams
Funded By: National Science Foundation (NSF)
PI: Dr. Ramesh Goel
Co-PI: Dr. Nicole Berge
Dr. Berge is part of a team led by Dr. Ramesh Goel at the University of Utah that aims to demonstrate and test some critical parameters related to a reactor configuration developed by Dr. Goel that is capable of achieving low nitrogen in treated wastewater effluents while saving both energy and carbon. This technology employs a creative single reactor design that integrates an iron-coated bio carrier that promotes the growth of anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) and methane-assisted denitrifying organisms (DAMO) and a hollow fiber membrane to create an oxygen gradient. Dr. Berge’s role on this project is to develop a systems-level model of the proposed process and conduct a life cycle assessment to ultimately understand the contribution it can make in sustainably treating anaerobic effluents, understand any environmental pollution hurdles associated with this technology, and understand overall system life cycle costs.
More information can be found at: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2213616&HistoricalAwards=false