(169g) A Novel, Low Energy Approach to Nutrient Removal

Algal blooms remain a key environmental issue in the United States due to high levels of phosphorus from industrial runoff. In most cases, water treatment facilities are responsible for dumping large amount of phosphorus into lakes and waterways in their effluent streams. Phosphorus can also attach to soil particles, so even when disposed of as a solid, phosphorus will eventually enter a water source. Algal blooms are not only unsightly and have offensive odor, but can also develop neuro and hepatotoxins (a danger to humans and aquatic life) if left unchecked. Our patented technology is designed to remove phosphorus from water sources, reducing the overall phosphorus concentration to environmentally sustainable levels. This process utilizes aluminum-copper galvanic cells that generate a spontaneous reaction requiring no external power source. These cells are “powered” by the differences in the Fermi potentials of the selected electrodes. Phosphorus removal is achieved through one of two possible mechanisms. Either high concentrations of aluminum generated on the surface of a sacrificial aluminum electrode causes the precipitation of aluminum phosphates, or hydrolysis of aluminum ions to aluminum oxide/hydroxide generate a polymeric compound with a high phosphorus adsorption capacity. Phosphorus removal efficiency can be improved through the addition of hydrogen peroxide to improve the ion release efficiency. This process is easily scalable and has shown phosphorus removal levels of over 99% from water sources containing 1 – 6 ppm of phosphorus.

This process was evaluated and selected for water treatment in an industrial wastewater emergency in April of 2021. A former fertilizer facility on the west coast of Florida developed a significant leak in one of its lined water storage compartments. For 9 months, under the supervision of the Florida DEP, this process produced discharge water with environmentally acceptable amount of phosphorus and prevented any release of untreated water. By the end of June 2023, this process should be operating in one of the surface water canals around Lake Okeechobee that carry approximately 100 metric tons of phosphorus into Lake Okeechobee, with a maximum flow of up to 6,000 GPM.