Disinfection of Water used in the Poultry Industry by Combined Advanced Oxidation Processes

The overall goal of the project is to conserve freshwater by disinfecting and reusing poultry process wastewater.During the Phase I effort, the four goals are: 1. Synthesize and evaluate fluorescent dyes with increased ability to generate singlet oxygen and high photostability 2. Investigate the recent improvements to an electro-photochemical apparatus for killing pathogens in poultry wastewater 3. Validate technical feasibility of various equipment and dyes 4. Advancecommercialization effortsThe primary objective for the Phase I effort is to generate hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), hydroxyl radical (OH•) and singlet oxygen (1O2) during electro/photochemical treatment. The secondary objective is to determine whichequipment variables and dyes have the fastest biocidal effect. The project will culminate with the submission of final reports and a Phase II market analysis.The objectives for the Phase I effort are: 1.1 Provide experimental proof of: •The generation of H2O2 and OH• during electrolysis of water containing chlorine free electrolytes using a low-voltage, alternating electric current • The generation of 1O2 from photosensitizers with improved lightfastness incorporated in solid substrate under irradiation with visible light •Combined biocidal effects of electrochemicaland photo-chemical treatment on water contaminated with pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria • The presence of potential harmful by-products 1.2 Compare disinfection performance forelectro/photochemical treatments and investigate relationship between disinfectant concentrations and bactericidal effect 2.1Estimate minimum time needed for disinfection with the following variables: •Electrode materials (copper, stainless steel and titanium) •Electric frequencies (region from 1 to 60 Hz) •Electrolytes (carbonate and bicarbonate of sodium, sulfates and phosphates) •Dyes with improved lightfastness •Sources of light •Encapsulation of dyes in appropriate polymer carrier immersed in water 2.2 Rank equipment and dyes for optimal equipment performance 3. Update cost estimates, explore commercial viability and compile final reportsSubsequent Phase II efforts will scale-up benchtop application to a pilot-scale system within a small-scale poultry processing facility. Upon completion, a new chlorine-free approach will be available to disinfect and reuse wastewater that Micro-Tracers, Inc. intends to market to poultry processors.