Researchers at the Idaho National Laboratory have developed and patented a technology that emulates a natural process in which water contaminated with metal sulfates flows into wetlands where naturally occurring bacteria reduce and precipitate the contaminants, and raise the pH of these acidic streams to neutral. The process is cost-effective, efficient, and practical. INL scientists have tested the process in the laboratory from acid rock drainage from copper, cobalt, and iron mines. Results have shown that the process effectively removes up to 99% of the metals from the water. The process can be designed to handle high flow rates. INL researchers estimate that the combined capital and operating costs can be as low as one-third of those for lime treatment and the sludge produced is a fraction of that produced by liming. The researchers also stress that it can be used to remediate other streams that contain metals and sulfates, as well as streams containing selenate, nitrates, or other contaminants that can be microbially reduced. Hence, the technology has a much wider range of application. The INL is soliciting interest from qualified industrial firms interested in participating in projects and commercializing this technology. It is anticipated that commercialization will be carried out by licensing this technology to a company. Additional development and support may be possible through Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with some or all of the funding support being provided by the participant(s). The INL invites interested parties to contact us regarding the details of licensing and implementing this technology into an operation. Interested parties should respond on or before July 29, 2005. For questions regarding the technology, licensing, and working with the INL, please contact Jason Stolworthy: Jason C. Stolworthy, J.D., M.S. (ChE) Telephone: 208-526-5976 E-Mail:
[email protected]