ECONOMIC ELECTROCHEMICAL DENITRIFICATION OF RECIRCULATING AQUACULTURE SYSTEMS

The overall goal of the program is to demonstrate the denitrification of waste water from a Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS)using a non-precious metal based electrochemical system. The Phase I objective is to validate the methods to produce non-precious metal catalytic electrodes and to fabricate and test a small reactor utilizing these catalysts and thereby demonstrate feasibility. We anticipate that input from the USDA may refine/change the target objectives. To meet these goals, the following Phase I sub-objectives have been identified:Demonstrate deposition of proposed catalyst materials on carbon fiber towCharacterize the catalytic behavior of these materials relative to ammonia and nitratesVerify composition and loading/distribution using electron microscopy techniquesBuild a prototype radial flow-thru reactor utilizing the above catalytic materialsTest the prototype reactor for effectiveness of removing TAN (total ammonia nitrogen)Provide a preliminary unit cost for the proposed systemDevelop a scale-up plan for implementation in the Phase II effort