Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc.

Arizona State University

Youneng Tang

Bruce R Locke

Robert J Wandell

Bruce E Rittmann

Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown

Gang Chen

Chen Zhou

Yihao Luo

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for removing trichloroethane (TCA), trichloroethene (TCE), and 1,4-dioxane (1,4-D) from contaminated liquids. The system and methods rely on catalyst reduction of TCA and TCE, where the reduced products are then degraded by microorganisms The system comprises a first reactor comprising a catalyst film of precious metal nanoparticles deposited on a first nonporous membrane and a second reactor comprising a biofilm of microorganisms that are capable of degrading ethane and 1,4-D deposited on a second nonporous membrane. The first reactor further comprises a hydrogen gas source, wherein the hydrogen gas source delivers hydrogen to the gas-phase side of the first nonporous membrane, and the catalyst film is deposited on the liquid-phase side. The second reactor further comprises an oxygen gas source, wherein the oxygen gas source delivers oxygen to the gas-phase side of the second non-porous membrane, and the biofilm is deposited on the liquid-phase side.

Methods and systems for removing trichloroethane, trichloroethene, and 1,4-dioxane from contaminated water and wastewater

A method for reacting a liquid phase chemical species includes the steps of providing liquid phase containing at least one liquid phase chemical species, providing a gas phase, and providing a reactor vessel for containing the liquid phase and the gas phase. The liquid phase and the gas phase are placed in the reactor vessel so as to form a liquid-gas interface between the liquid phase and the gas phase within the reactor vessel. A pulsed discharge cathode and anode are provided for creating a pulsed discharge electric field at the liquid-gas interface. A pulsed power input to the pulsed discharge cathode and anode is provided, thereby creating a plasma comprising ions at the liquid-gas interface. A secondary electric field is directed transverse to the liquid-gas interface, wherein the secondary electric field will drive ions from the gas phase into the liquid phase to react with the liquid phase species.

Gas/liquid plasma reactor with pulsed power supply and secondary direct current electrodes

Systems and methods for treating a metal or metalloid ion-contaminated liquid are provided. The method may include (i) feeding the metal or metalloid ion-contaminated liquid into a bioelectrochemical reactor containing a bacteria selected by the cathode to produce extracellular metal or metalloid nanoparticles; and (ii) operating the bioelectrochemical reactor anaerobically to reduce the metal or metalloid ions in the metal or metalloid ion-contaminated liquid to extracellular metal or metalloid nanoparticles. The method may further include separating the metal or metalloid nanoparticles from the bacteria with no energy input. A bioelectrochemical reactor system for production of extracellular metal and metalloid nanoparticles may include a bioelectrochemical reactor, a separation device, and a tangential flow filtration unit.

Reactors and methods for producing and recovering extracellular metal or metalloid nanoparticles

A reactor system for reacting liquid phase chemical species in a liquid includes a reactor vessel for containing the liquid phase and a gas phase. The reactor vessel can have a gas injection port, a gas exit port, and a liquid-gas interface location within the reactor vessel. A pulsed discharge cathode and anode are provided for creating a pulsed discharge electric field at the liquid-gas interface location. A pulsed discharge power supply delivers a pulsed power input to the pulsed discharge cathode and anode, and thereby creates a plasma comprising ions at the liquid-gas interface location. A secondary electric field source is provided for directing a secondary electric field transverse to the liquid-gas interface. The secondary electric field will drive some of the ions from the gas phase into the liquid phase to react with the liquid phase chemical species. A method for reacting a liquid phase chemical species is also disclosed.

A mixture comprising liquid water, a gas and at least one organic compound are injected into a non-thermal gas-liquid plasma discharge reactor to generate a flowing liquid film region with a gas stream flowing alongside. A plasma discharge is propagated along the flowing liquid film region. Water is dissociated and reactive species such as hydroxyl radicals, hydrogen peroxide and nitrogen oxides are formed. The organic compound reacts with the reactive species such as hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen peroxide present in the flowing liquid film region and in the flowing gas stream to produce organic compound dissociation products. At least some organic compound dissociation products and nitrogen oxides are transferred to a bioreactor for further degradation of organic compounds. The nitrogen oxides are used as nutrients for bacteria in the bioreactor. Feedback control of the plasma reactor is based on conditions detected and determined in the biological reactor.

Growing community of inventors

Tallahassee, FL, United States of America

Youneng Tang