Progress 09/01/04 to 10/31/06
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The major output of this Phase II SBIR project was the development of a new technical approach for the manufacturing of chemically-durable and abrasion-resistant ceramic membrane filters. The new approach was the result of experiments conducted using a new materials system for CeraMem's membrane elements. The resulting data and analysis of these activities are reported in the project's final report for dissemination to the US Government under the SBIR Data Rights. As this is a small business project, further dissemination of the products of the project has not and will not occur until it is commercially advantageous to do so.
PARTICIPANTS: Individuals: PI: Bruce A. Bishop, Ph.D. Lead Scientist: Christopher B. Hoffman, Ph.D. Partner Organizations: Amalgamated Research Inc. Itasca Systems Inc.
PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: A significant technical challenge caused significant disruption in the project workplan. The detailed project timeline is discussed in the final report. Despite the workplan disruption, no changes were made to the project objectives.
Impacts
During the course of the project, CeraMem achieved three significant results. The major technical hurdles to producing large, defect-free alumina membrane supports were overcome. A new material system for producing abrasion resistant membranes was developed. And finally, CeraMem was able to place prototype abrasion-resistant ceramic membranes at a pilot test facility of a major industrial partner in corn ethanol processing. However, the proposed alumina membranes have not yet been sufficiently developed for adoption in commercial membrane manufacturing. Therefore the primary outcome was establishing a knowledge base regarding this new materials system. We anticipate that this outcome will lead to a successful commercialization of the product after continued development.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
The purpose of this USDA Small Business Innovations Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to develop abrasion resistant membranes for filtration and clarification of agricultural feedstocks such as sugar juice. The first goal of the project is to develop a novel reaction bonded aluminum oxide (RBAO) membrane support structure. During this period, CeraMem has continued to address the technical challenges of increasing the RBAO support structure from laboratory scale to production scale. At the close of the reporting period, these issues had not yet been resolved. The second goal of the project is to create an abrasion-resistant membrane on the RBAO supports. In the previous reporting period, these membranes were developed on laboratory-scale modules. During this period, the membranes were applied to pilot-scale modules using previously developed recrystallized silicon carbide (rSiC) supports. The pilot-scale module with the abrasion resistant membrane is currently being
field tested on stillage produced during fuel ethanol production. The results of these field tests are pending. A further no-cost extension to the project will allow for the completion of the field testing as well as additional long-term characterization of the new membrane for abrasion resistance and chemical durability.
Impacts
The abrasion-resistant ceramic membranes being developed in this program, if successfully commercialized, could reduce the cost of processing several different agriculturally important feedstocks such as sugar, corn sweeteners, and stillage from fuel ethanol production. Improved process technology in these areas could reduce the amount of material disposed in landfills and improve the economic viability of many rural areas that are dependent on agriculture.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
The purpose of this USDA Small Business Innovations Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to develop abrasion resistant membranes for filtration and clarification of agricultural feedstocks such as sugar juice. The first goal of the project is to develop a novel reaction bonded aluminum oxide (RBAO) membrane support structure. During this period, CeraMem has carried out physical and chemical testing on a broad range of RBAO compositions. From these tests, the composition that resulted in the optimum balance of strength and permeability was identified. The optimized RBAO samples show no discernible loss of strength from chemical attack after soaking for 200 hours at 95 degrees celcius in both pH 1 and pH 14 solutions. During this period, we have successfully fabricated laboratory scale supports of the optimized material. The RBAO supports proved stronger than currently utilized silicon carbide supports, but did have an acceptable reduction in permeability. CeraMem is
currently scaling this technology to larger supports. The second goal of the project is to create an abrasion-resistant membrane on the RBAO supports. The development of this membrane has been concurrent with the scaling of the support. At this point, we have produced an abrasion resistant coating for use on the novel RBAO supports analogous to that developed in Phase I. The performance of the membrane will be evaluated during the next reporting period.
Impacts
The abrasion-resistant ceramic membranes being developed in this program, if successfully commercialized, could reduce the cost of processing several different agriculturally important feedstocks such as sugar, corn sweeteners, and stillage from fuel ethanol production. Improved process technology in these areas could reduce the amount of material disposed in landfills and improve the economic viability of many rural areas that are dependent on agriculture.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
|