Light-Driven Waste Remediation System Utilizing Phototrophic Bacteria

A Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) effort with Micro-Bac International, Inc., has resulted in a new system for the treatment of wastewater based upon the metabolic activity of phototrophic bacteria. This system requires no aeration, uses sunlight as an energy source, and does not generate carbon monoxide. It offers significant advantages over conventional waste-treatment systems in terms of flexibility, safety, and performance. In geographical areas with adequate amounts of sunlight, the system is considerably more cost-effective than traditional activated sludge aerobic systems.

Developed and manufactured in its Central Texas research laboratories, Micro-Bac's biological solutions are composed of a proprietary combination of bacteria used to accelerate the natural degradation of wastes not only in wastewater systems, but also in food processing and animal waste collection systems. The microorganisms developed as part of the NASA SBIR contract are presently being sold as a liquid product, Mega-Bac TF™, which works on the degradation of fat, oil, fecal matter, and other biologically derived wastes.

Implications of the system are numerous, as water purity is of increasing concern. Potential applications include wastewater treatment for agriculture, small communities, individual homes, isolated military installations, and chemical manufacturing. Micro-Bac is actively pursuing a contract with a Brazilian multinational glass producer to manufacture and distribute the treatment cells.

This large petrochemical firewater lagoon was successfully treated with the Mega-BAC TF™ biological solution.